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So this blog is about what I've been up to and about my birthday…apologies…it is a bit long! ENJOY!
So on Tuesday I went to a Children's foundation in a barrio called Villa Diana in the west of the city, up in the mountains. This foundation provides support to families who don't have much by giving them clothes, advice and access to education. They also teach the children to play instruments, dance and provide other activities. The school supports this foundation and raises money every year to build a house for a family. We visited a house and I have to say i was shocked. It wasn't complete by any means and needed a lot more work done on it. There was no floor, 2 bedrooms for 3 people (not so bad) but they were tiny, there was no kitchen and stuff just everywhere. However, it was a very humbling experience because the family were proud of the house, they had a house and that was all that mattered. The children were amazing, smiles all round, big beaming faces, and very talented with their music. We chatted a lot with the children and they make you feel very special, wanting to hold your hand, hug you and talk to you about your country and your thoughts of Colombia. They delighted in pointing out their school and their houses to. I made the fatal error of letting one girl use my camera, only to have it knocked out of her hand by a boisterous 2 year old girl. The result, a broken lens and a camera that no longer takes photos! DOH! This has happened to me before so i should have learnt! Oh well! The child was easy to forgive because she was cute, and being a Christian, it kinda comes with the territory. Also seeing how little these kids had, but how happy they were made me realise that a camera in the grand scheme of things isn't that big a deal especially as I have a phone that takes photos! Anyway, they also have a scheme where you can sponsor a child, so this is something i want to pray about and decide whether this is a possible area to tithe.
On Wednesday with the school I went to the gold museum, but didn't take any photos partly because of my camera and partly because I was so tired I really couldn't be bothered. However, it was really interesting to read more about the history in Colombia and the culture. Also the figures and items made out of Gold were amazing. When I'm not so tired and when I have visitors I'll return and take photos!
So my birthday weekend passed really well despite me having some reservations over it, being in a different country, away from friends and family and all that! On the Friday i went to the Salt Cathedral, which is in effect a Cathedral but under the ground where there is natural salt. It's absolutely stunning and the salt is really obvious on the walls. The structure is supported by Eucalyptus and steel bars to, but the Eucalyptus is stronger than the bars. As you go down into the caves, the story of the crucifixion begins. There are different stages with rocks demonstrating different parts of Jesus' walk, as he carried the cross to where he was crucified. It was a very moving experience, a mix of the crosses, the lights and the reality of what happened to Jesus. They have a small chapel within the rocks and confessions booths to, but due to the acoustics of the rocks, those who go for confession can be heard by everyone! Rather amusing I thought.
There is also a bigger area for worship, which is stunning to with a huge cross at the front of the room. The whole place was very peaceful despite there being people around. There were beautiful carvings in the rocks to and is certainly a place I would like to re-visit in the future.
On the Saturday i went with the school to Park Chicaque (chief), which is a natural park about 1 hour 30 minutes from Bogota. When we arrived it was about 11.30am and because were were quite high up there were clouds over the tress and in the car park, making the whole atmosphere very mystical. There were 7 of us in total, 2 guys who work for the school and 5 students. The drive there was a pain and slow due to the traffic and lots of people going away, as this weekend was a bank holiday weekend and so no work on Monday. Anyway we arrived and set out on the walk. Basically there are different walks you can do, with beautiful views. The walking is quite hard and very undulating with some parts that are very steep. First we walked to the pico which was about 2km from the car park. Well worth the walk there, as the view from here was stunning and the peace and quiet was just perfect. We relaxed here for a little while then continued on. We next visited the "laguna/ lake", however there was no water, only palm trees so really is was just a space with a clump of palm trees! It was good to have a joke about this though! However, not so funny was the walk back, as it was steep and far and everyone was hungry! We made it back to the sign, which told us that the Porteria or restaurant was about 1.5km away. So off we trekked.
We arrived at the restaurant after hiking uphill for much of the time and everyone enjoyed some food. We then began the hike back to the car park. By now it was about 2-3, so we had been walking for a few hours. The walk back to the car park was again, pretty tough and up hill but i loved it! Fresh hair, heart pounding, legs burning...all in a good days hiking. It was so great to be out of the city and in the fresh air, the quiet and with birds singing that I didn't want to leave. Again this is a place i'd love to return to and perhaps camp to, as that is a possibility.
Saturday evening I went to my young adults group with the church and we studied some more of Samuel. I let slip that it was my birthday the following day, and so after the study, they took me for dinner (very late dinner) at a restaurant that only does Plantain. However, you can have all sorts of different toppings with it and plantain in normal form or squashed and fried (platacones). I had a flat, fried plantain with chicken, mushrooms and a bit of cheese. Very yummy! It was great to be shown that amount of love by people I hardly know (some i met that night) and to feel part of something. I understood most of the conversation and can definitely see where my Spanish is now improving. The night wasn't too late which was good to.
So Sunday, the big day, the day of turning 27 year old, receiving more wrinkles and no doubt more grey hairs! In the morning i went to church and God blessed me greatly, as i understood all the songs! However, I didn't understand the sermon, but the guy did speak very fast, so I wasn't too fussed. I returned home and then chilled out waiting for lunch. That morning I had a lovely surprise as there was a bunch of yellow roses with a box of chocolates, which were from my brother Luke! The note to, was wonderful. I had a also received a video from Ebenezer church, my church in England, with all the congregation singing (beautifully I must add) happy birthday to me! I admit I shed some tears then proceeded to show all my family the video!
After lunch we had some pudding and then Megan and Jennifer (two other missionary's with Latin Link) came to the house to share another pudding. It was lovely to see them and speak some English on my birthday, although the family made a point of mentioning that we were speaking English. After ignoring them a bit and pointing out that it was my birthday, they let up and allowed us to continue our conversation.
Later still, a guy came round to cut everyone's hair (by this time Jennifer and Megan had left). The hair dresser cuts hair for models in magazines and does make up to, so he's pretty good. I also dyed my hair, it is now darker, but only had a small amount cut off. It was an interesting experience to say the least but very convenient so can't complain.
Later still, I was invited by a friend, to go to his friend's house. I thought, why not, so went along and we ended up playing the game "risk", which i love! We didn't start until about 10.30 maybe later, so by 2, the game hadn't finished but we decided to leave, as we both had earlyish starts. It was great though and again i had the chance to practice my spanish.
I received lots of messages throughout the day on my birthday and really did feel very loved, so all in all a very good birthday.
Monday after my birthday I went to a place called Cajicà, which is where the girlfriend of my brother lives. I went with my two brothers, and with Juliana (the girlfriend) and her sister, we went for a walk into the countryside and up some steep hills. We walked for about 3 hours in the sun, so i now have some beautiful tan lines so show that at times, it can be rather warm in Bogotà! Anyway it was beautiful and once again i thoroughly enjoyed having fresh air in my lungs. I saw horses, cows and lots of dogs to which was great. After we returned to Juliana's parents house to eat some good and played a game similar to Ludo but called "parques", which is a Colombian game. I was feeling pretty tired by this point due to my late night, and so at 6 we left and took the bus back into Bogotà. I then proceeded to crash out ready for school the next day.
So now I've explained my life let me tell you a couple of things I've realised about myself. I think that when I speak Spanish my voice is slightly higher pitched and a little bit whiny...maybe this is just how the Colombian's speak...I'm not sure but I'm sure that I don't sound quite so husky in Spanish! Also...now this really excites me...I can ride my bicycle with no hands for more than 5 seconds!!!! Never could i do this in England! Sometimes i get a little carried away and nearly end up crashing, but on the whole i can do it. Now before any of you start having a fright, i only do this on the pavement, not on the road. Anyway it is terribly exciting and i can't wait to keep practicing. On that note, mentioning i now ride a bike, this is true. I cycle to school and back which in total is about 1 hour each day, so my fitness has improved loads. It's a bit crazy at times cycling in bogota and I'm not sure which is safest...the road or the pavement... I prefer the road, but at times the pavement is the best option. They have cycle paths on some of the pavements but not on all, and people just walk in them anyway, so they are a bit pointless! Also I wear a scarf over my face and nose to prevent the fumes infecting my lungs! But I love it and can't wait to start cycling to work when I start.
So life is good and I can see now where I understand more and words don't just seem like noise. There are certain phases that, when I hear them I understand straight away and don't need to think about what it means in English before I respond. I still have a long way to go but with extra work and persistence I know that in another 3 months I would have progressed so much more.
A quick taster…I have now started work…but…you'll have to wait to hear about it.
Much love
xxxxx
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