I Spy.

Within the past six years, I have had the opportunity to travel, study, or serve within 5 countries: Costa Rica, Belize, Nicaragua, Peru, and Colombia. 

When I first traveled to Costa Rica in 2010, my surroundings left me in awe. Me senses were alive to each detail of the adventure. I remember the bumpy bus rides over miles of unpaved rocky roads where houses stood tucked within the hills. I remember the taste of the exotic fruits we tried alongside the road. I remember the barefoot children laughing, playing, and chattering to me in a language foreign to my ears. I remember the embraces of people I had just met, yet who were still so connected to my soul. 

With each time I am abroad, I become more acclimated to the culture around me. I will always appreciate the vibrance of being in Latin America; however, I sometimes forget the richness of these experiences as the novelty of a new environment fades. 

In an effort to be more conscientious of my Latin-American surroundings, I crafted a list of 15 charming (and occasionally alarming) sights within my neighborhood in Barranquilla. 

1. Every morning, numerous men walk through the streets balancing giant bowls of ripe avocados on their heads and declare, "Agua, aguacate!" I usually buy a small one for around $1 USD. Sometimes I eat it with rice and beans. Other times I eat it in a salad of cilantro, tomato, onion, and vinegar. 

2. Seeing juicy orange mangos crushed in the street is not uncommon. They fall from the trees onto the sidewalks and streets. Sometimes they are gathered to eat or sell, while other times they are left to the mercy of the busses and cars that pass through the streets. 

3. Donkey-drawn carts are pulled through the streets, often carrying produce, construction supplies, or trash. I have seen small boys racing these donkeys and their carts down the street as fast as they could go. 

4. Massive speaker systems don many front porches as the tunes of famous salsa, vallenato and champeta music plays. Plastic chairs are scattered across gated lawns where families gather to listen to music and talk, especially on the weekends or special occasions. Music can usually always be heard from the small "tienda" stores or cars driving through the streets. 

5. Every child from preschool to secondary is required to wear a uniform to school. The styles of uniforms are vast. Most notably, some are denim, while others are burgundy and yellow plaid. Donning their school uniforms, these children often spend time at the mall after school eating ice cream or in the park playing soccer. I once saw a toddler who was wearing a pink gingham jumper. The sight of her clutching her father's hand and joyfully singing a song melted my heart. 

6. Colombia is a colorful country...even the busses maneuvering through the streets showcase a rainbow of color. One bus, painted in swirls of red, yellow, green, and blue, drives toward the beaches of Pradomar. Inside of the buses are fringed curtains and sometimes vivid illustrations of famous cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny. 

7. In the cool evenings, barefoot children play soccer in the less-trafficked side streets. They boisterously cheer upon scoring a goal, and are quick to pause their game at the sight of a car. Even the youngest of players adeptly steers the ball around boys of the opposing team. 

8. Outside of a corner tienda at all hours of the day, a large group of men play dominos. Their laughter roars, but their faces quickly turn serious in the deep competition of the game. They also play chess or card games with intense concentration. 

9. Litter is scattered across many sidewalks and streets. I imagine how much more beautiful Barranquilla would be without the pieces of plastic and paper cluttering the sidewalks. 

10. With "blonde" hair and fair skin, I am especially prone to  receive attention from men on the streets. Being called a princess, a doll, beautiful, or divine is a daily occurrence. Understanding that Colombia is a very vocal, expressive country helps provide context to these comments; however, even after five months, I still have not have not adjusted to hearing these harmless (yet annoying) noises. 

11. Moto taxis are a cheap, exhilarating, and sometimes dangerous mode of transportation. Motorcyclists guarantee a helmet and a fast ride to anyone who hails them off the street. A multitude of moto taxis are always on the streets. 

12. To fall victim to or witness a robbery is sadly not uncommon. Taking special precautions is essential. I never carry a purse or wear jewelry. I also walk with purpose to my destinations. Because I do not like to take technology outside of my house, I do not have many photos; but, I ultimately prefer to protect my belongings and myself. 

13. Laundry air drys outside the brightly-painted cinder-block homes, blowing in the cherished breezes. The heat of the Caribbean sun quickly drys the clothes. Costeños, or those living on the coast, usually wear vivid colors and bold patterns. Women usually always wear high-heeled wedges. 

14. Vendors sell a plethora of items on the streets outside of bigger grocery store. DVDs and CDs in thin plastic sleeves are less than $1 USD. I occasionally see a man sitting on sidewalks with an array of padlocks, while others sell nail files, or brooms. 

15. Within my neighborhood close to Parque Olaya, tree trunks and electric poles are often painted with thick red, yellow, and blue stripes at the bottom. Colombian pride is in abundance. These colors make even a cloudy day a little more cheerful. 

These are just 15 observations of my Colombian home. So many more people and places make Barranquilla a charmingly bold place to live. 

Monday: the Best Day of the Week

While Mondays can have a bad reputation, they happen to be my favorite day of the week. On Mondays, I spend four hours with my lively kindergarten classes. These students, some as young as four years old, eagerly express their affection with hugs and kisses as I enter the classroom. 

They are curious to learn new English words and I am regularly bombarded with the phrase, "¿Como se dice ________ en ingles?" Usually, I can readily provide the answers to their questions; however, I am sometimes stumped by their request to translate the occasional obscure word, such as "ceiling fan."

We have learned about shapes, colors, numbers, weather, and emotions. Some of the best tools in the classroom are the vocabulary flashcards that I make with computer paper and crayons. They love repeating the vocabulary words in different voices: high-pitched, low-pitched, fast, slow, quiet, and loud.

However, like most children, their favorite activities are hands-on and interactive. When we learned weather vocabulary, I brought a tote bag to class that was filled with various items ranging from an umbrella and scarf to sunscreen and rain boots. Students selected an item from the bag and placed it beneath a corresponding sign that depicted a weather condition. Students loved being able to grab an item from the bag and even wear it. The boys particularly enjoyed modeling a pair giant sunglasses.  

Considering the passion for rhythm and music in Latin America, students love listening to and learning new songs. We always open class with the same songs and "If You're Happy and You Know It" is a favorite.

No characteristic is more needed in the Colombian classroom than flexibility. I have yet to teach an entire week of class according to the schedule that we made at the beginning of the year. In the lesson that my friend helped me record as part of my TEFL certification, the CD player stopped working, one little girl threw up, and the janitorial staff came into the room to clean the mess. That same day, my classes were shortened by a surprise visit from a photographer who was taking class photos. Teaching in this environment always keeps me on my toes, but the experience is priceless. 

Medellín: What a View

What do you do when a teacher strike lasts nearly three weeks in Colombia? Travel, of course! In addition to spending time in coastal cities like Santa Marta and Cartagena, another volunteer and I flew into Medellín, a city tucked within the mountains of the interior of the country. 

Medellín, known for its springtime temperatures and picturesque views, gave us a much-needed break from the squelching heat of the coast. Medellín bustled with a diversity and urban flavor that can be rare to encounter in Barranquilla. 

From Pueblito Paisa, we could see for miles around the city. As the sun set, the landscape sparkled with the lights of the houses and cars beneath us. The view seemed surreal. 

At El Museo de Castillo, we learned about one of Medellín's wealthiest industrial families and toured the castle that they once called home. The house burst with collections of glass, art, books, and even hundreds of tiny spoons. 

At Barrío, a lively stop along the Metro, we saw works by the famous Boltero. Oversized bronze statues of men, women, and animals lined the park. 

We toured the Museo de Arte Moderno and caught a unique glimpse of Colombian architecture through its Utopia exhibit. 

Our visit to Medellín was impetuous...and one of the best experiences that I have had since coming to Barranquilla. Seeing a new place was energizing. Being surrounded by such lush, green scenery was rejuvenating.  The vegetarian food options were in abundance, especially in the Poblado district of the city. I am refreshed by this wealth of unexpected time that I had to see another side of Colombia...and ready to return to the classroom!

Momentos Especiales

Rather than spending last Sunday evening preparing English lessons for the week ahead, another volunteer and I went to a restaurant in a lively area of the city. With a continuing teacher strike that has indefinitely canceled classes, we found ourselves wanting to explore Barranquilla. 

After dining, we made our way to a wide, open expanse known as the Plaza de la Paz. This area bustled with people of all ages. While some practiced their skateboarding skills, others danced in front of a large speaker blaring music. Children scurried across the smooth pavement on their bicycles and roller blades.

The stained-glass windows of a massive cathedral sparkled under the street lights as busses and taxis moved through the streets. Men dressed in colorful uniforms maneuvered ice-cream carts around the playing children. 

My friend and I situated ourselves on a set of stairs where we could observe the energetic scene before us. We watched the dancers perform backflips and handstands among their dance moves. 

As the evening progressed, the action slowly dissipated. The music stopped, the crowd thinned, and my friend found herself wanting something from a food vendor. 

When one of the street dancers saw my friend motioning toward the vendor, he proceeded to buy both of us a sucker. He, along with a few of his friends, joined us on the steps. 

José Alberto immediately began sharing his story. He talked about his happiness, his struggles, and how he remains positive. The twenty-two year old Venezuelan is working temporary in Barranquilla and living with his mother, a Colombian, during that time. His father, who works on a ship, travels a lot and has children in multiple countries. 

Although only living in Barranquilla for a short time, he became friends with a group of street dancers who meet regularly in the plaza. Dancing is a creative outlet. 

"I have many problems, but when I dance, everything is good," he explained. His excitement for dancing and his ability to find joy in spending time in the plaza inspired me. 

I am thankful for my brief encounter with this man. Some people enter your life for an hour, others for just a few months, and others for years. These encounters, no matter how long their duration, happen for a reason. Each person has a story to share. Each person has the potential to brighten--even shape--another life. Being more conscientious of this fact is my goal as the next month progresses. I want, not only to listen and learn from those around me, but to also brighten the lives of those I encounter...even if it is merely through a smile.