Day Tripper...

[Cap'n Jib]

Day Tripper 1´{Bogota]

I have decided that the best way for me to contribute to the board will be in the following format. We live a very quiet life and spend most of our time on the family. We do not do the bars and discos. I really know a thing about agencies other than personal comments from others and what is written on the board. I would have used one except I got lucky and didn’t need to. Therefore I will try to describe that which is different and perhaps unusual through my ‘salt’ crusted eyes. A Day Trip or two if you will.

After getting only a few hours of sleep the last two days before returning to Bogota, I was exhausted. S. met me at the airport and we went through the usual process of reconnecting, both hoping for the best but allowing for the possibility that something had changed for one of us. The cautiousness was not necessary.

The first night found me having dinner at S’s house with only 20 or so of her family and friends to welcome me home to Colombia. I was having trouble staying awake during the meal and we had just finished eating when the door buzzer sounded. In walked three men fully decked out in nicely tailored suits each carrying a guitar. They commenced singing songs of Welcome’ as well as love songs….many Colombian love songs. Surprised?....you betcha! Definitely the nicest homecoming I have ever had.

You may recall that I had asked S. five questions and she said she would think about them and respond when I returned. There are many ways of answering questions. Her musical response works for me!

* * * * * * * *
Guys; I do not know what the cost was for the group but if you would like to let someone know they are very special [I was certainily impressed] here is a shamless plug.

Trio Clasico´s
Tele: 780-7702
Cel: 315-361-4108


* * * * * *

I have no idea why but I find speaking Spanish much easier this time. Probably the pressure is off and I feel free to make any and all mistakes language wise. I am proud to report that I am doing just that.

The traffic was the same…crazy! It is a tempo thing. A person needs time to adjust to the speed of the traffic, the spoken language, as will as the other ‘different’ things. Didn’t even question though what a lama was doing grazing in the high school soccer field on Sunday morning. A possible lama home coming of sorts? Maybe this is home and an explanation is unnecessary?

Spent an afternoon at the University where S. teaches. College life must be the same anywhere in the world. Girls watching boys...boys watching girls. Anyone else ever wonder what people would be wearing for clothing if the jean fabric had not been invented? I’m I the only one who wonders these types of things?

[LastLion]

Great to hear of you Cap'n jib. You offer a persepective here that is different from many, but your perspective and insight is very welcome in my eyes! Have a great time! Sounds like things are going well.

I think the whole letting each other know how much you care for them (by use of mariachis or whatever) is a very powerful tool for successful relationships. If we spent more time doing for each other, rather than looking at what is wrong, than there would probably be nothing wrong! JMHO!!!

[Clay]

I've got the feeling that you are in for a journey of sight and sound into a culture that very few gringos have ever, or will ever see.

[El Capitan]

Hey Cap...

Let the tide, take you for a ride!!!

...Sit back and enjoy it.

[Cubafro]

Great start CAP`N,
The mariachi thing is one of the good idea she had and I guess it was great....It`s more pleasant to have a fact than a word...don`t know if u know what I mean
Enjoy buddy but don`t be overwhelmed by all that, I know you`re a big man but just a consejo

CUBA [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Clay]

hhhhmmmm, this Mariachi must be some new, secret Colombian music.
Does anyone like vallinato?
Does anyone remember the Lambada song? I can't remember if it is Colombian or Brazilian.

[KPunch2]

Muy bueno Cap'n Jib.

I always enjoy your keen perspective and I look forward to more of your Colombiaspotting adventures!

Colombians take to Mariachi music just like the Mexicans take to Cumbia. The Lambada is probably the worse musical export from Brazil, but it does have that very sexy dance though...go figure.

[Cap'n Jib]

Day Tripper 2


Loco Gringo

Managed to impress the locals here. Went to buy some ice cream. The guy at the checkout counter just could not figure me out. Here I was trying to pay for 40,000 million worth of merchandise with 6,000 million worth of notes. The checkout guy was as nice as he could be, HOWEVER, he was not about to let some gringo stiff him of about 34,000 million. He kept saying it was not sufficient and I kept insisting that it was. A mature lady (8+) with eyes that could melt a man, decided to help out…problem….she also could not understand the point this dumb gringo was trying to make. Eventually EVEN… I figured out that I had not brought enough money and told the clerk that I would return. I am sure he could hardly wait! Back at the apartment I realized that I had left the 20,000 million notes, along with my brain, inside the desk drawer and instead grabbed the 2,000 million notes. Some days I impress even me…and I set VERY HIGH STANDARDS!

Saw that woman again this morning and she gave me one of those warm recognition smiles which quickly changed when she saw I was with S. Thought of the board member who said there were NO great looking older women in Colombia. H-m-m-m!


Who Let the Dog Out?

Sunday, went to a children’s matinee movie. This was supposed to be for the young daughter but I think it really was for my benefit. The language used in the movie is much simpler and even I could understand (besides I really do like the cartoon characters [note: no butter on the popcorn] :mad: ).

Anyway, S’s mom was also with us and when we left Centro Commercial she was carrying a balloon for the kid. As we walked by the security guard and his black mastiff dog things become interesting. Setting aside all his guard dog training, the dog reverted back to his puppy days, barked and lunged at the balloon. The security guard, weighing perhaps a pound but certainly not more than two more than the dog, tried to restrain the puppy. I step between the dog and Stella’s mom.

This accomplished two things. One S’s mom was protected and two I was blocking the view of the puppy, which could no longer see the balloon. The thought of a black bowling ball (the dog) racing toward a single white bowling pin (me) was stuck firmly in my mind. I turned to see what had happened to the black projectile. The dog was on the ground with the security guard sitting on the dogs’ back.
Lesson: Balloon & Security Dog = CUIDADO!


Dah…not me!

Monday, S’s sister came to pick us up to go shopping. She asked if I would drive. I responded with a new word I learned in Spanish…”NO”! Five days is not enough time for ME to acclimate myself to the driving conditions in Bogota. Note, I even took my own advice here.


Getting Plugged In

As is true in many foreign countries, a person can purchase a new item almost anywhere, however to get accessories, batteries and other necessary items, a specialty location, or zone, is usually necessary. With respect to electronics, in Bogota, it is called the “Unilago” and is within walking distance of the Zona Rosa. This was the fourth or fifth time I have been there and I am always impressed with the help. If they do not have what you are looking for, they will suggest another shop in Unilago. I could easily spend 3 or 4 hours there, just talking and looking at the merchandise There are definitely a few ‘lookers’ here.


Go On Try Ta Learn Me Sumthin

Tuesday night, I sat in on an evening class that S. taught in the Chico district of Bogota. I have always taken great pleasure watching anyone at the top of their game and doing their thing. It was just a bit disconcerting to realize that this was someone that I care about very much and I did not have a clue as to the extent of her capabilities. This opinion I maintained, even after having been told by her friends (fellow educators) that she was one of the best at what she did. Just though it was her friends bragging her up to me. Well now I know!


Only the Shadow Knows…

On leaving the school, I noticed two security guards carrying ‘Lupo’s’. These are usually single shot shotguns about 30 inches in length. I was comforted to notice a “type” of ‘safety’ was actually engaged on one of the guns. S. informed me that she varied the end of her class by about 30 minutes so that a pattern was a bit more difficult to determine. She would also be joined by at least three of her students to walk to the Millennium (bus stop). Ok…so it is not Kansas.


Walking the Walk!

A LAm women walks as if what she is carrying is priceless...an AW walks as if she is traversing through a cow pasture.

[El Capitan]

Great Report there Day Tripper!!!

This little gem......

"Walking the Walk!

A LAm women walks as if what she is carrying is priceless...an AW walks as if she is traversing through a cow pasture."

......priceless!!!

[Looking4Wife]

Jib:

Did you mean "40 mil", "6 mil", "34 mil", "20 mil", and "2 mil"???

40 mil = 40,000 Pesos
6 mil = 6,000 Pesos
etc.