Part One: Briefings
TGC's in-country consultant, Nick, delivered a two-hour Powerpoint that covered everything from the pre-Colombian history of the region to the present day, including the country's public-private system. The poor attend public schools, while families of even the most modest means scrape and work double shifts to send children to private schools. Nick also presented us with another side of the terrorist organization, The FARQ, which does fill a protective role in the jungle regions that the city-focused national government does not. There are always two sides to every story.
However, after visiting the US Embassy, where we received a safety debriefing that can be summed up in this one cause/effect sentence: "If you hail a taxi, presume that you will be kidnapped." The head of embassy security had absolutely nothing but harsh words for the FARQ, an organization that seems intent on disrupting American interests and killing American embassy agents.
Part Two: Monserrate
The trip up this grand mountain, which climbs into the sky at 10, 300 feet, defies all attempts at explanation. The mountain is most definitely a sacred place--a place where you can touch the clouds and look out into all of the city and view humanity in all its beauty and ugliness. The whole scene reminded me of a crowded Lego landscape with carefully crafted skyscrapers and countless hastily shewn shacks, as if the city planner just lost interest in the details. The church took my breath away, literally, because one must climb the last 300 feet in steps to reach it. I prayed for a few moments in the sanctuary, lost in the splendor of artistry of the early Spanish monks.
TGC's in-country consultant, Nick, delivered a two-hour Powerpoint that covered everything from the pre-Colombian history of the region to the present day, including the country's public-private system. The poor attend public schools, while families of even the most modest means scrape and work double shifts to send children to private schools. Nick also presented us with another side of the terrorist organization, The FARQ, which does fill a protective role in the jungle regions that the city-focused national government does not. There are always two sides to every story.
However, after visiting the US Embassy, where we received a safety debriefing that can be summed up in this one cause/effect sentence: "If you hail a taxi, presume that you will be kidnapped." The head of embassy security had absolutely nothing but harsh words for the FARQ, an organization that seems intent on disrupting American interests and killing American embassy agents.
Part Two: Monserrate
The trip up this grand mountain, which climbs into the sky at 10, 300 feet, defies all attempts at explanation. The mountain is most definitely a sacred place--a place where you can touch the clouds and look out into all of the city and view humanity in all its beauty and ugliness. The whole scene reminded me of a crowded Lego landscape with carefully crafted skyscrapers and countless hastily shewn shacks, as if the city planner just lost interest in the details. The church took my breath away, literally, because one must climb the last 300 feet in steps to reach it. I prayed for a few moments in the sanctuary, lost in the splendor of artistry of the early Spanish monks.
Part Three: Dinner
We had dinner at the lovely Club Colombia, where I ate a lovely dish that consisted of rice, coconut milk, and camerones (shrimp). Special thanks to Nick who helped explain the menu selections. We all shared a variety of typical Colombian desserts. I devoured most of my Helado de champús, which consisted of an ice cream comprised of a native bitter sweet fruit and coconut cream.
A perfect dinner full of camaraderie and delicious food, not to mention the ambiance of a crackling fire and excellent service.
We had dinner at the lovely Club Colombia, where I ate a lovely dish that consisted of rice, coconut milk, and camerones (shrimp). Special thanks to Nick who helped explain the menu selections. We all shared a variety of typical Colombian desserts. I devoured most of my Helado de champús, which consisted of an ice cream comprised of a native bitter sweet fruit and coconut cream.
A perfect dinner full of camaraderie and delicious food, not to mention the ambiance of a crackling fire and excellent service.