December 30, 2020
Medellin
Another Spanish school but this one is very different. The students are mostly in their 20’s and 30’s, European and travel extensively. They also like to party.
Met a very interesting family. I overheard a young man trying to explain the race to a younger girl. He really had no idea what was going on, so I asked if I could help. We talked and I shared what I knew. I asked where they were from. Tanzanian they answered. He was studying architecture and she was in high was in high school. What university, I inquired. Well, he said it was in China. They looked up and waved at a man and woman across the street and said that was their mother and father. Soon we were joined by them and the conversation continued. I learned so much from this wonderful family. Their hopes and dreams and about their lives.
Last night I was having dinner in a sidewalk
restaurant when a student came up and asked if I wanted to join
the rest of the group on the patio at the school. I had the
waitress put my meal in a box and headed the one block to the
school. There sat about 10 students drinking rum or wine. Quite
lively with singing, a little chair dancing, animated conversation
and texting. Yes, they text during everything. There’s an app
that I discovered is used almost everywhere in the world except
the US, What’s App. The school has an address and I am
constantly being updated on what the others are doing. Not sure
I am that interested but does show me a new way of being.
Last night a large guy from Balitome was teaching a
English man how move his hips without moving other parts of his
body. It was fun watching. A girl was holding Oscar’s hips
trying to help or maybe something else as she had her head very
close in. The non music continued along with the frolicking as I
bid ado and walked by to my apartment in the rain.
Spanish is very hard for me. I have studied it in
at least four countries and continue to study at home but have
not mastered it. In fact not even close. From the classes I
take I know that my vocabulary is more than sufficient and often
my grammar, at least in the present tense is acceptable, but
hearing Spanish eludes me. Not sure if I will take another week
here or move on to see the country. Will decide on Saturday.
Looking at the route from here to Tonya where I have
a contact from Ashland who has been emailing me with helpful
information, David. Then another friend from Ashland lives in
Bogota and has invited me to visit him. Steve says is leaving
for Ashland at the end of Jan so time is short as it will take at
least I weeks to pedal to Bogota. If possible, I will not pass
up an opportunity to stay with a local or at least, semi local.
It has rained every afternoon. Something I must
keep in mind when I begin my journey. It only rains for an hour
or so. That means I will be forced to take break from the
mountains for a time each day. Darn I hoping to beat myself up
with a non stop 8 hour climb every day. Please feel sorry for
me.