Lo que aprendi

¨Christmastime is here..."

There have been many lessons big and small that I have learned in the week I´ve been in Bogota, Colombia such as...

...there is no such thing as a bad homecooked meal

...flying first class is not as great as it seems

...9 out of every 10 people are nice, and not just at people that look like tourists

...laughing at those that consider cloudy, 50 degree days in Bogota as ¨bitterly cold"

...Citytv is by far one of the best television stations I´ve ever seen

...tipping is not optional in taxis but drivers will still gladly take one

...the socioeconomic divide between the rich north and impoverished south has narrowed only slightly

...Bogota taxi drivers make the ones in NYC look like driving instructors

...flirting is not a privilege but a neccessity due to the seeming abundance of single people

...it´s far better to eat at an ugly restaurant that serves massive portions of food instead of a joint filled with snobs

...more and more people are doubting the Uribe administration (naturally that happens after he´s reelected)

...fans of Millonarios suffer the team´s mediocrity far more than RBNY (but not by much!)

...I like to look at suits but I ode wearing them

...the copious imbibing of aguardiente is obligatory at any party

...I´m still a little homesick inasmuch as I´m having a grand time

...I will never like reggaeton, especially as a ring tone

...90-minute mid-afternoon newscasts are good to fight boredom while it´s raining outside

...I can somehow live sans blogging and the Internet for one week

...most importantly, I learned how to appreciate and love my family here. They have been gracious hosts but also unbelivably kind, friendly, and willing to do anything for you. It has been an incredible week so far in Colombia- from my cousin´s quincianera to going out to the Parque de la 93 (see above image) to blowing out the candle to my suprise birthday cake last night.

Tomorrow at dawn I leave for one month to the La Palma- town where my parents were born and raised. I´m anticipating a prime opportunity to get some rest surrounded by more family members than here in Bogota. It should be nice and I´m optimistic that it will be well worth it.

Since I´ll be without Internet for a month, I wish you all a very Happy New Year!