Just Back from Cali

Lostagain · #1 (**permalink**) 06-10-2006, 12:15 AM

I just returned from a trip to Colombia that was unplanned. One of my wife's brothers was killed in an mva and we had to race down there to bury him. We spent almost all the time in a small town in the mountains north of Cali.

Here are some observations:

If you marry a Colombian, plan on attending the funerals. They have a vigil from the time the deceased is first available to be acompanied by family until he is enterred. So count on staying up for a couple of days, at least, in the funeraria (This in part depends on the weather and the speed with which you can make the arrangemnts as they don't embalm). The deceased must be in the presence of family for the whole time he waits for burial.

Among campesinos, the burial system is a two phased process; one to allow the deceased to decompose, the second, to remove the bones from the remains of the coffin and put them in an osuaria generally with other family members. It gets a little sticky when the lease runs out on the grave site and the deceased isn't quite ready for osuaria.

The traffic in Cali is worse then ever. The new bus system they are putting in on Calle 5 has traffic totally snarled, but to make matters worse, they have a huge sewer project going on on what would be the detour routes. It's total gridlock

There is also a new feature at the airport. They have installed an x-ray machine to check for mules. After you pass through the DAS emmigration station the national police question you and "randomly" select the chosen few to undergo a stomach x-ray. Theoretically it is voluntary and they ask you to sign a consent form. In reality, it they will compell you to submit to the x-ray with or without the consent signature. I refused to sign, but didn't want to push the issue further since they have the guns and access to what ever cocaine they need to plant on you to put your sorry ass in jail for ever. I'm happy to say that I passed the x-ray test and was allowed to board my flight.

I would tell you about the hotel we stayed in, but if any of you went to the town where we stayed, you should have your head examined. It was pretty cheap though at about $70 for two rooms and 10 people.

They are having a very wet year this year and Cali was actually cool, almost chilly, on the two days we were there.

Chipichapi has the usual crowd of beautiful girls with giant plastic tits. It is an anachronism to view with all the high end stores after being among campesinos and the worsening poverty they face. But they sure have some stunningly beautiful creatures to lust after. Of course, I had to lust decretely as I was with my wife.

Lost Again

LastLion · #2 (**permalink**) 06-10-2006, 01:40 AM

WOw, LA.. I am soo sorry to hear about this. Please pass on my regards to your wife... I consider myself a lucky man to know you and to have met you and your family..

I don't know what to say, but again let me know if I can take something to Cali for you or do anythning.. I am serious here too.. I will only be there for 5 day june 30 tu july 4th... But I will do whatever. Pm me your number again.. I have a new cell the sim card got jecked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

El Capitan · #3 (**permalink**) 06-10-2006, 12:59 PM

LA thanks!

Your mailbox is still full...I'll shoot it back when you get it whittled down.

ElCap

Cubafro · #4 (**permalink**) 06-10-2006, 01:23 PM

LA,
Mis pesames por tu esposa compadre

CUBA

Cubafro · #5 (**permalink**) 06-11-2006, 01:32 AM

Holly ****, Yo queria decirte mis pesames por el hermano de tu esposa

Asi es mejor!!!

***HonkyTonk*** · #6 (**permalink**) 06-11-2006, 10:29 PM

LA, good to see you posting again. Your absence was noticable.

Sorry to hear about the situation with your wife's brother. The pain never seems to end in a Colombian's life. I'm really sorry to hear the bad news.

I also tried to PM you last week but your box was full. I hope your wife and her family are coping as best as they can under the circumstances.

Welcome back!!

Lostagain · #7 (**permalink**) 06-12-2006, 10:00 AM

Thanks, Tonk. I emptied out my mail box yesterday. I didn't realize it had gotten so full.

Yes, life among the Colombian campesinos is hard. And my wife's family has been hit pretty hard lately. To further complicate the situation, 30 days earlier, one of my sisters-in-laws lost her husband in a construction site accident. So, two funerals in 30 days, that's pretty heavy by anyone's standard. Now, with an unemployed widow, another sister-in-law with the AUC after her and also unemployed, another who's "husband" abandoned her and their kid, and another with three kids who appears to have cancer, the need for supporting the extended Colombian family has grown some. How many times have I said it? And everyone who is inclined to marry a Latina, especially a poor one, should say this over and over every day. "When you marry a Latina, you marry the whole dang family." If this isn't what you want, marry an AW.

Yeah, I had to take a break for a while. I've had too many things going on and needed to stay away from the computer for a bit. Now, with my wife in Colombia 'til the end of the summer, I've got the house to myself with no 6 year-old saying "play with me," no soccer practices, and so on. It's a little too peaceful.