Abuela (Grandma)

I met Magola through a friend here and we immediately hit it off.  Magola is very high-spirited and kind.  She loves music, cooking and learning new recipes.  She insisted I visit her in her awesome old-school kitchen to learn to cook like "Paisas"-- people from this state.  I have been over several times and on my most recent visit we baked my standard vegan chocolate chip cookies with a banana base.  She likes to make me a big lunch that always leaves me stuffed.  Here you can see her veggie-n-rice stuffed peppers, plantain soup, salad from goodies in her garden, home-made fruit tea (strawberry and pineapple), and an "arepa de chocolo"-- a corn-based pancake that is very common in Colombian cuisine.

Suesca

A small town 45 km north of Bogota, Suesca hosts some of South America's best limestone cliffs for sport and traditional styles of rock climbing.  I met Siul, a friend of a Medellín climbing friend, there and he showed me around the rocks.  Enjoy the views, I did!

BOGOTA!

I took advantage of having 6 days off in a row to visit the capital.  11-hour bus rides there and back convinced me to take a flight next time, but seeing the vibrant green landscape, cut through with wild rushing rivers and spotted with precious country towns, made the road trip worth it.  The city was excellent to visit, but too big for me in terms of a place to live.  I went to a theater performance, wandered the museums and sites, and met great people.  I took two days to get to know a small town with big rocks to climb on to the north, Suesca.  And when it was time to head back to Medellín, it felt good to be going "home."  Enjoy the photos!

That's me and Maydei, friend of a friend in Medellín, atop Cerro Montserate with lots of Bogotá down below.  Great public art, like the banana-fishergirl and the tile mosaic above are typical around the city.  I was tempted by the many sweets at the famous "La Puerta Falsa" in the old-town colonial sector.

Cable car up to Montserate to see the best view!

Peanut Butter

I've been going through a bit of peanut butter withdrawal down here.  It's not that it's completely unavailable-- for $8 i can get a mini-jar of PeterPan, I even found a medium jar of Reduced Fat JIF for about the same price-- I'm just not willing to shell out that kind of money, especially if it's not a full-fat product!

Then, I heard a friend of a friend mention "big bags of peanut butter" sold at a place called Makro.  I didn't believe her.  Colombians don't eat the tasty nut-paste, and don't know what to do with it when they see it...why would they sell it in big bags?

My curiosity got the best of me, so I took the 15 minute walk from my apartment to Makro-- best described as the Colombian COSTCO.  And, no kidding, there it was!  Between big bags and jars of jams and fruits was a stack of "big bags of peanut butter"...reasonably priced!!  Ever have a moment that is hugely meaningful and important, but no one around you knows, or cares, or would understand?  That was me, giddy with glee, in the bulk-jam isle.  Looking around with a "Can you believe this!?" expression on my face, eyebrows high, smile stretched... no one cared.  But, no matter...I returned home, squeezed the contents of one of the bags into my JIF jar, dunked a cracker, and congratulated myself for overcoming cultural and culinary differences.  Yum!

Performing Arts in Medellín

Since being in this city I have attended several performing arts events.  Here are some images of the groups I've seen on stage here.

The Ballet Folklorico of Antioquia performed at Teatro Metropolitano recently.  This company has several dance schools around the city that promote the regional dance styles of the country. 

 

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 Universidad de Antioquia brough NOW Dance Company of Korea to their main stage in September.  I was especially impressed with their used of stage design and lighting. 





Sankofa is an Afro-Colombian dance company based in Medellín.  This group brings the African roots of Colombia's coastal regions to the stage with vibrant music and movement.  I was fortunate enough to attend a free performance and make friends with several of the company members.





Views from Colegio Montessori

Marlon, my teaching partner for HS English,
 at a lively school assembly

I have officially accepted a teaching position for January (the start of the school year here) at the Colegio Montessori.  I will be teaching math in English for some combination of 3rd - 6th grade, depending on the other math teacher they need to hire for the new year.  This is the school where I had a long-term sub position teaching high school English in September, and where I am now working part-time teaching 3rd grade math until the end of November, the end of their school year.  In my time at the school, I have felt like a member of the Montessori family and have established myself as a "good teacher" with the students and other teaching staff.  I hope to teach a Creative Movement class once a week in the After-school Program.  I also still plan to be teaching a course in Modern Dance once a week at a local university-- that's still in the works!  Here are some images from the school...

Climbing El Peñol

My new climbing friends, Carlos and David, who I met at the climbing gym, insisted I join them for a long day at Medellín's closest climbing destination, El Peñol.  It's a granite monolith that rises 2,500 ft. above the massive reservoir/lake that supplies water to Medellín down the mountain.  The views of the lake from the rock are just stunning.  I don't believe I have seen water that shade of emerald green ever before. I was surprised at how undeveloped this climbing site is; there are no trails to the base of the rock or between routes.  We slogged through mud and all kinds of vegetation during the day.  Even though we were rained on multiple times, we were able to take refuge below the granite roofs, waiting for the sun to reappear and dry off the rock again.  I most enjoyed just being outside all day getting to know new friends.

Tio Alirio

This gentleman is Alirio-- my new "Tio," or uncle. He is president of a major international business based in Medellin, more importantly he is one of the most generous, kindest people I have ever met. He is close friends with Barbara, and I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with him at his finca (exquisite, weekend mountain-home, typical of the Medellin elite). Though he is not smiling here, we did spend the day laughing and talking together. A few days later he called and told me he was sending his car to pick me up and take me to an interview his friend set up for me at the Montessori school!

Public Art

Medellin is full of interesting public art. From the Botero Sculptures in Parque Berrio to these works at a road-side overlook on the eastern side of the valley-- there is always something beautiful and surprising to see!

Neighborhood



The farm truck that visits our neighborhood on Saturdays.



Sun rising over Edificio Unicol-- where I live with Barbara.



Bienvenida

Hello friends and family! I hope to maintain this blog so you all can keep up with my new life in Colombia (note: 2 O's... no U's). Here's what I've been up to so far...

I arrived the morning of Sept. 2 and was received at the airport by the lovely Barbara Jahn. I met Barbara when I was here in April and we arranged for me to house-sit for her this Fall. She is a quilting artist and her impressive work is on display throughout her apartment. She will be heading to the States at the end of the month to exhibit her quilts and visit with family.

I have a very comfortable room in Barbara's house, and of course, I sleep under one of her exquisite creations. The neighborhood is called Barrio Conquistadores and has to be one of the best locations to live in Medellin. This is a city of 3.8 million people, yet Conquistadores feels small and quiet. There are many green spaces between the homes and apartment complexes that create a sweet network of parks for me to run through in the mornings. It is also right in the middle of the city. I have been learning the best ways to utilize the many bus routes nearby and have been riding the Metro a ton-- even at rush hour, which is inadvisable for those who value their personal space!

Through Barbara, I 've met many well-connected people in Medellin- she, herself, is impressively connected here. One of these new friends of mine took it upon himself to "make a few calls." Well, one of those calls got me an interview at one of Medellin's finest private schools, Colegio Montessori. I will be a long term substitute at this school until December. For September, I will fill in full-time for a secondary English class. In October and November, I will work part-time teaching 3rd grade Math, in English. I am very fortunate to have this perfect opportunity!

The plan was to teach English at Universidad de EAFIT in January...but, the Montessori school has made me an offer for an elementary Math position. I am very seriously considering this because the salary and benefits exceed anything the university could offer. EAFIT has also kind of "left me hanging" meanwhile, Montessori has a contract waiting for my signature right now. We will see! As for teaching Dance at Universidad de Antioquia starting in February, that's still a part of the plan :)

With my spare time, I am cooking a lot with all of the great fresh vegetables and fruits from the region. I am also attending theater events when I can, especially the free events at university theaters. And, of course I have found a rock climbing gym-- it's walking distance from my house! I am learning about the main climbing destinations in the region and have plans to climb on local rock next weekend. When the public university is back in session next week, I am hoping to take a Ballet or Modern Dance class.

In the meantime, I will get my exercise exploring the streets of this beautiful mountain city!