Friday, February 08, 2008
This past Monday in Colombia, Colombians united once again to march...this time it was against the FARC and for peace...
I love seeing Colombians unite and come together with a sense of respect and love for our country.
Yet I must say I wasn't one of the Colombians that united for the march. I love my country, and I love the sense of unity and of course, I love peace....but the idea of the marchs have changed so much. What do they mean anymore?
From MY opinion...I feel like the march lost it's sense of understanding. People take time from school, work or whatever they do during the day to come out and march...I saw people marching with their white shirts on and gossiping the entire way, I saw people from different political groups glaring at each other and disrespecting one another for their views, I noticed that some people were probably marching because it has become the COOL thing to do although they might not realize what exactly they are fighting for, I noticed that people march and take their time to do so...but then the following days people forget the things that continue to happen in Colombia. The FARC still continues and the hostages continue to be hidden in the depths of the jungles.
Did I also mention that this world wide march was started on facebook? I'm not sure how to feel about that...it's become popularized. Facebook allows all the students and other people in Colombia to come together and talk, express themselves...but how many people just clicked yes to join the group for the Feb. 4th march...just because they thought it would be a good time. What about the percentage of people who do not have access to such systems?
that's another thing, we continue to march and march against the FARC, and for peace...and we tend to forget about the other problems in Colombia. Why don't we march for the people that are dying from hunger? or the corruption that lives on in Colombia, or the various violent groups who try to take a stand like the FARC?
Why do we only take one day of the year to come together like a Colombian family for peace? What about the rest of the year...what do we do then? NOTHING.
That's why I didn't march, nor did I wear white. But I did smile at the amount of people that came out, it's a beautiful sight...but it scares me to think that we may never reach a true sense of peace.
If you did march, more power to you!!!!!!!!!
love love love
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=14334&l=5a66e&id=501246877
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Short but sweet
Feb. 1, 2008
It's funny, when I first got to Colombia I was completely homesick and lonely. I don't think I have ever had to deal with true solitude and independence. A few months after being here I wanted to make my way back…..
Now I can't even think of leaving Colombia, my beautiful, chaotic country. I love everything about it, the people (my family), the culture, the chaos, the landscapes, mountains, and the smell. I even love the sights of those who suffer because it only cause my compassion and my heart to grow, which lights the fire beneath me even more.
Being in Colombia, I have found strength and independence I never knew I could have. I find more understand to life, my life and I face things that I have always feared facing. I meet with ignorance everyday and I'm grateful that I know the things I do. Sometimes I want to speak up and defend issues but then I realize maybe it's my ignorance judging this person's idea. I have learned the difference of perspective in such a way that it's become a normality of my everyday life and that's pretty freakin' cool.
I used to want to go to Africa, to live and work there. Help the people who can't defend themselves, and don't get me wrong…I still very much do. The strength of the survivors there hold a special place in my heart, but I now cry for Colombia.
A few weeks ago, a Colombian channel was giving a documentary on Colombia in the past 25 years…I was engulfed by the images and the things that happened. Then I realized wow, there's so much I don't know and I should. This is my country, I was taken away at such a crucial time in Colombia that I begin to wonder if leaving the violence was part of the reason of my family leaving Colombia.
I feel bad. I really do, I feel bad that I'm so behind on my Colombian history knowledge. It's funny the things we learn at schools…so different all over the world. What I learned in the states is so much different than what they learn here, and that amazes me. I love that!
I met someone down here that changed my life. He made me realize a lot of things about life and about myself. How afraid I have been in my life to move forward and I find myself making excuses not to continue. I try to prepare myself for each step I take and then he told me I shouldn't do that, I can't prepare for life. He's right. So here I am working my ass off, like I should have done and should do. He's become one of those friends that I will never forget, funny how people walk in and out of my life.
I have been here for almost a year!! I can't believe that. Crazy how time goes by and how things change. Change…like Kaylie says she only like it at workJ ha!
All in all, I'm happy. I am very happy in Colombia. I have a sense of independence, strength, happiness and peace of my own here. I must say it didn't come easy but through experiences and situations that allowed me to react unnatural and then learning from those.
It's funny, when I first got to Colombia I was completely homesick and lonely. I don't think I have ever had to deal with true solitude and independence. A few months after being here I wanted to make my way back…..
Now I can't even think of leaving Colombia, my beautiful, chaotic country. I love everything about it, the people (my family), the culture, the chaos, the landscapes, mountains, and the smell. I even love the sights of those who suffer because it only cause my compassion and my heart to grow, which lights the fire beneath me even more.
Being in Colombia, I have found strength and independence I never knew I could have. I find more understand to life, my life and I face things that I have always feared facing. I meet with ignorance everyday and I'm grateful that I know the things I do. Sometimes I want to speak up and defend issues but then I realize maybe it's my ignorance judging this person's idea. I have learned the difference of perspective in such a way that it's become a normality of my everyday life and that's pretty freakin' cool.
I used to want to go to Africa, to live and work there. Help the people who can't defend themselves, and don't get me wrong…I still very much do. The strength of the survivors there hold a special place in my heart, but I now cry for Colombia.
A few weeks ago, a Colombian channel was giving a documentary on Colombia in the past 25 years…I was engulfed by the images and the things that happened. Then I realized wow, there's so much I don't know and I should. This is my country, I was taken away at such a crucial time in Colombia that I begin to wonder if leaving the violence was part of the reason of my family leaving Colombia.
I feel bad. I really do, I feel bad that I'm so behind on my Colombian history knowledge. It's funny the things we learn at schools…so different all over the world. What I learned in the states is so much different than what they learn here, and that amazes me. I love that!
I met someone down here that changed my life. He made me realize a lot of things about life and about myself. How afraid I have been in my life to move forward and I find myself making excuses not to continue. I try to prepare myself for each step I take and then he told me I shouldn't do that, I can't prepare for life. He's right. So here I am working my ass off, like I should have done and should do. He's become one of those friends that I will never forget, funny how people walk in and out of my life.
I have been here for almost a year!! I can't believe that. Crazy how time goes by and how things change. Change…like Kaylie says she only like it at workJ ha!
All in all, I'm happy. I am very happy in Colombia. I have a sense of independence, strength, happiness and peace of my own here. I must say it didn't come easy but through experiences and situations that allowed me to react unnatural and then learning from those.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
6 or 7 continents?
Current mood: curious
funny, in the united states we learn that there are 7 continents in the world...asia, australia, europe, africa, antarctica, north america and south america.
i've learned that here in colombia and all latin american countries...there only exists 6 continents in the world....asia, australia, europe, africa, antartica, and america (both north and south).
now i'm not sure if the u.s. is the only country or if latin american countries are the only ones who teach differently. i would love to find out. i will let you know what results from this.
i remember when i was younger saying i was american...south american. i'm pretty sure andres and i learned that from my parents, that america is one whole continent. cheers!
funny, in the united states we learn that there are 7 continents in the world...asia, australia, europe, africa, antarctica, north america and south america.
i've learned that here in colombia and all latin american countries...there only exists 6 continents in the world....asia, australia, europe, africa, antartica, and america (both north and south).
now i'm not sure if the u.s. is the only country or if latin american countries are the only ones who teach differently. i would love to find out. i will let you know what results from this.
i remember when i was younger saying i was american...south american. i'm pretty sure andres and i learned that from my parents, that america is one whole continent. cheers!
The Little Boy
Current mood: thoughtful
So lately I have been incredibly pensive. I can't top thinking.
I walk down the streets of Bogota, and I see everyday the reason why I want to be here. The children...who are on the streets begging, washing windows in the middle of traffic, selling anything/everything they can, stealing, etc. The same children that should be in school, the only worry on their mind should be their homework for the next day, having a crush on a classmate, or what video game to play. It truly kills me to see that they live their childhood like this.
I'm used to the foster care system in the United States where children are placed with foster parents if their current situation happens to be unstable. Yet that system isn't perfect and is flawed in many ways, atleast it's a system. Here it's not at all illegal for a child not to be in school, in fact the primary schools are sometimes too expensive that children can't afford to go...something is wrong with that picture.
I was at my uncle's house a couple weeks ago. We went out to grab a couple things for dinner that night, while I was waiting outside the store a little boy (around 7-8 years old) came up to me and asked me for money. I gave him some coins. And I continued to see him with the courage to ask the next and the next and the next person for money. He looked so sad yet with this courage that was like his determination. I started to cry, that's a flaw I have, well maybe not a flaw but something that runs deep....my compassion. My uncle gave me a hug and said this is life for most children in Colombia. I thought to myself, why???
A couple minutes later, I see two little girls with their mother walking and the two little girls seem to have new toys. The youngest girl (around 2-3 years old) had dropped a part of her toy and was looking around for it, out of nowhere this same little boy, with sadness and courage, came up to the mother of the two little girls to give back the little girl's toy that he had just found (she didn't say thank you....that really bothered me).
This little boy made me realize that I didn't want to leave Colombia any time soon. I feel like I can do something for children like him. I don't know what or when, but this little boy showed me that this is something to be handled. It's not just to have to live a childhood like this. My childhood wasn't the prettiest but i had the best damn memories ever, I loved every second of it.
Everyone deserves a good life. A happy life. Then again who am I to say that because they are poor, begging on the streets and such, they aren't happy....they may just be happy. I learned a long time ago that money doesn't buy happiness yet it does make the world turn. It's unimaginable to live without it, unless a person has never known money. I always daydream about a person being born on an island where nothing matters....kind of like the Blue Lagoon (great movies). They eat fruit, fish and laugh all day. They know nothing about reality but the peace of life....that's pretty freakin cool....unrealistic but a good daydream.
I enjoy a good daydream. much love! -C
So lately I have been incredibly pensive. I can't top thinking.
I walk down the streets of Bogota, and I see everyday the reason why I want to be here. The children...who are on the streets begging, washing windows in the middle of traffic, selling anything/everything they can, stealing, etc. The same children that should be in school, the only worry on their mind should be their homework for the next day, having a crush on a classmate, or what video game to play. It truly kills me to see that they live their childhood like this.
I'm used to the foster care system in the United States where children are placed with foster parents if their current situation happens to be unstable. Yet that system isn't perfect and is flawed in many ways, atleast it's a system. Here it's not at all illegal for a child not to be in school, in fact the primary schools are sometimes too expensive that children can't afford to go...something is wrong with that picture.
I was at my uncle's house a couple weeks ago. We went out to grab a couple things for dinner that night, while I was waiting outside the store a little boy (around 7-8 years old) came up to me and asked me for money. I gave him some coins. And I continued to see him with the courage to ask the next and the next and the next person for money. He looked so sad yet with this courage that was like his determination. I started to cry, that's a flaw I have, well maybe not a flaw but something that runs deep....my compassion. My uncle gave me a hug and said this is life for most children in Colombia. I thought to myself, why???
A couple minutes later, I see two little girls with their mother walking and the two little girls seem to have new toys. The youngest girl (around 2-3 years old) had dropped a part of her toy and was looking around for it, out of nowhere this same little boy, with sadness and courage, came up to the mother of the two little girls to give back the little girl's toy that he had just found (she didn't say thank you....that really bothered me).
This little boy made me realize that I didn't want to leave Colombia any time soon. I feel like I can do something for children like him. I don't know what or when, but this little boy showed me that this is something to be handled. It's not just to have to live a childhood like this. My childhood wasn't the prettiest but i had the best damn memories ever, I loved every second of it.
Everyone deserves a good life. A happy life. Then again who am I to say that because they are poor, begging on the streets and such, they aren't happy....they may just be happy. I learned a long time ago that money doesn't buy happiness yet it does make the world turn. It's unimaginable to live without it, unless a person has never known money. I always daydream about a person being born on an island where nothing matters....kind of like the Blue Lagoon (great movies). They eat fruit, fish and laugh all day. They know nothing about reality but the peace of life....that's pretty freakin cool....unrealistic but a good daydream.
I enjoy a good daydream. much love! -C
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
make way for the president
i was on the on the way home after french class tonight, as i looked out the window i noticed the traffic jam ahead. there were police officers lined up and down the street and then i saw about 7 cars without lincese plates and tinted windows go by with police car escorts. it was the president.
as we continued down the street, i looked out the window to see people standing out in the cold begging for money, people still at their vending stands selling all they can, the young police officers who are still standing on the side of the street even after the president has come and gone...and then i am grateful for my life. for being on the bus on my way to my home knowing i have a family, friends and food waiting for me...
then i wonder did the president see what i saw? did he see the people of his country fighting to survive by selling whatever they could, the families that have been displaced sitting on the sidewalk begging for whatever people could give them, and the very young police officers who stand there in his defense. did he see how much work is really needed to clean up bogota? i can only hope he is as grateful as i am and saw what i saw. i couldn't help but notice the super nice SUVs that drove by most likely to the House of Nariño where he resides, when more than half of the 40 million colombians are living under the poverty level and 2 million+ have been displaced from their land and homes.
what determines what kind of life we're born into? i ask myself that all the time, especially when i see a girl who's my age sitting on the street asking for money. or when i see 7 year old boys on the streets, dodging cars while they wash the windshields for money...these are kids who should be in school, and it breaks my heart.
on a brighter note, i met up with a friend of a friend who is from austrilia but loves traveling throughout south america. i asked him which south american country was his favorite...he said colombia:) i love hearing that. because regardless what you hear/see in the news, in the movies, or from people who have never experienced the country. i'm learning a lot, good and bad but it comes with every country, with every experience.
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
— St. Augustine
Cheers!
as we continued down the street, i looked out the window to see people standing out in the cold begging for money, people still at their vending stands selling all they can, the young police officers who are still standing on the side of the street even after the president has come and gone...and then i am grateful for my life. for being on the bus on my way to my home knowing i have a family, friends and food waiting for me...
then i wonder did the president see what i saw? did he see the people of his country fighting to survive by selling whatever they could, the families that have been displaced sitting on the sidewalk begging for whatever people could give them, and the very young police officers who stand there in his defense. did he see how much work is really needed to clean up bogota? i can only hope he is as grateful as i am and saw what i saw. i couldn't help but notice the super nice SUVs that drove by most likely to the House of Nariño where he resides, when more than half of the 40 million colombians are living under the poverty level and 2 million+ have been displaced from their land and homes.
what determines what kind of life we're born into? i ask myself that all the time, especially when i see a girl who's my age sitting on the street asking for money. or when i see 7 year old boys on the streets, dodging cars while they wash the windshields for money...these are kids who should be in school, and it breaks my heart.
on a brighter note, i met up with a friend of a friend who is from austrilia but loves traveling throughout south america. i asked him which south american country was his favorite...he said colombia:) i love hearing that. because regardless what you hear/see in the news, in the movies, or from people who have never experienced the country. i'm learning a lot, good and bad but it comes with every country, with every experience.
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
— St. Augustine
Cheers!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Los Andes, Muah!
The following link is to few pictures I took at La Universidad de Los Andes, the beautiful campus I'm lucky enough to go to.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4173&l=b1b68&id=501246877
Today in Colombia is the day of love and friendship...so love love love! --Not like you need a day to remember to:)
Carolina
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4173&l=b1b68&id=501246877
Today in Colombia is the day of love and friendship...so love love love! --Not like you need a day to remember to:)
Carolina
Saturday, August 25, 2007
fotos!
the following links are to pictures for the past couple months...
the first one is Bogota at it's finest during the week of it's 469th birthday celebration! my friend jaime is in them, she loves to travel latin america and we actually meet through a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend:)small world eh? we had fun doing touristy things in Bogota.
the second link takes place in Soata, Colombia. We traveled there about 10 hours on bus (it sucked a bit) for the wedding of my dad's coworker and friend. He was asked to be the padrino, so he was one of the few who signed the wedding license as a witness. Soata is a very beautiful place, it's a small town but the countryside of Bogota is great.
Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3488&l=2dd0c&id=501246877
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3756&l=aacfe&id=501246877
the first one is Bogota at it's finest during the week of it's 469th birthday celebration! my friend jaime is in them, she loves to travel latin america and we actually meet through a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend:)small world eh? we had fun doing touristy things in Bogota.
the second link takes place in Soata, Colombia. We traveled there about 10 hours on bus (it sucked a bit) for the wedding of my dad's coworker and friend. He was asked to be the padrino, so he was one of the few who signed the wedding license as a witness. Soata is a very beautiful place, it's a small town but the countryside of Bogota is great.
Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3488&l=2dd0c&id=501246877
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3756&l=aacfe&id=501246877
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
