Development Project Field Trip...Mathematical!!!!

Last week, I got to do something I haven't done since I was in middle school. Something that would even make the kid with the record for most absences in a school year make sure he was the first on the bus to school the days we had em. That's right, I'm taking about a field trip man. The two words when used by themselves are cool, but when put together, they create one of the most awesome things ever invented.

Now, most of us- excluding teachers, those lucky son of a guns- never get to experience another field trip after we hit our mid to late teens. I know, tis a sad thing. However, sometimes life tosses you a gold nugget every now and then, which is what it did to me when the coordinator for my post graduate program here in Medellin told us we were going on a field trip to a pueblo, a small town, two hours outside of Medellin to see a project of international cooperation in person. This project is spearheaded by the United Nations, so you know the big dogs are involved.

San Francisco is a little town tucked away in the Andes mountains. The reason the local government sought counsel with the national government and international multilateral organizations like the UN, is because they had a problem with illicit crops-they were growing the plants that yield cocaine. Now granted, due to the black market  they were making a pretty nice living off of that. However, it brought violence and instability to the town and finally they had enough. So the idea of this new program, after clearing out all the riff raff drug lord bung holes, was to convert their crops to legal plants: Coco for chocolate and coffee.

We arrived on a rainy morning, but the rain dissipated to a drizzle within an hour of getting there and the sun came out midday. It is always strange to arrive to towns like this, far from Medellin, because you have just as many men and women riding horses or donkeys as there are cars in the street. Colombia is somewhere between a developed and developing country, so you see these contrasts more and more as you travel between cities and towns. It's kind of fun actually, I mean these guys still wear colorful scabbards that sheath large scary machetes, which I'm told is because of tradition. Good, so if you trespass on their land or steal from them, at least you get to look at something pretty before you get all sliced and diced.

After disembarking and passing through the small streets of the town, we arrived to the project headquarters in city center. There we were greeted by two men, one young and the other middle-aged, donning the famous blue and white drab of the United Nations. We have all seen the UN workers and soldiers on news clips growing up, but to see their sky blue jackets and hats with the UN's sigil in person is pretty cool to behold. So, they gave us an hour long chat about what they are doing and their goals here with the project, then set another 20 minutes for Q&A. Then, we took a break for lunch, super cheap, like 3 dollars for a huge plate of food and a drink...mmmm pueblo prices.

When lunch was over, both UN workers took us to two farms to meet the cultivators and see their ongoing results. Both farms grew many of the same things with a few slight differences. For example, the main difference being the one grew coffee and the other grew coco. Both included other crops like fruits, green platanos (my favorite baked, make great snacks and way better for you than potato chips, learn about it America!!), vegetables, etc.

The UN Team!

Alien eggs....I mean, Coco plants.

For me, to see Coco plants and learn where chocolate actually comes from was great. Totally different than I had expected. Mainly because what chocolate comes from looks like a bright bulbous colorful egg from the movie Alien, with a facehugger ready to hatch and latch onto my face at any moment. However, what actually hid  inside, was a much sweeter and non life threatening treat. Raw coco has a unique taste; it is sweet and soft, with a hint of the chocolate taste we know and love, without any fake sugar added. Obviously, just a more natural and cleaner taste.

The Coco...finally, sweet victory!

Meeting the farmer was nice as well. Hearing her story and how they are developing the region with sustainable practices that yield great produce was great. It showed me what we are learning in class can be applied in real life, often with successful results. All it takes is reaching out to these farmers, the farmers having the will to participate, and the provided teaching from the agricultural specialists from the UN or whatever agency that gives these farmers the know-how to improve their crop growing techniques.

What was also fun was hiking through the mountains to get to these farms because they were kind of secluded. Here are some photos of me and my friends Santi and Arley from class:

Practicing for carrying the Olympic torch...do it Arley.

Arley and Santi, leading the pack!

Colombian Flower Garden....never ceases to amaze.

Big city, but why is it named after an apple?

Well, although it pains me to admit I lost a personal challenge this past February, but the world and a number of skeptical friends need to know the truth. Until February 1, 2013, I had never stepped foot into New York city, let alone seen it. For years, I have been heckled for it.

"What?!!.....You've never been there?" friends would gasp.
""You mean to tell me you've never even wanted to go?!...What's wrong with you?" another would add.

Well all this criticism led me to disgust the idea. Why do I need to go? Why should I? You know what, I bet I can go a lifetime without going to that city. So unto me, a challenge was born...and I accepted like a squire taking his oath before becoming a knight. To me this was serious, I have turned down multiple opportunities to take the 7 hour bus or 1 hour plain ride to the Big Apple. I was able to resist until this past February when my best friend Brian Foye- a resident of Boston- decided I should try to fly through his city on my way back to Colombia for my second semester. However, New York was the more viable option for this young fellow on a Masters student budget. So, I didn't see any good reason not to go through with the compromise. A week after our discussion, I booked the one-way ticket on Megabus for $30 to New York. I would ride into that city aboard my metal steed not as a knight; rather a young and defeated oath-breaker with his head hanging low.

To the contrary of this presumed notion, coming into New York- at night mind you- was pretty breathtaking. I had never been in a city like it after doing some extended travels of my own. It has it's own living and breathing identity, which I certainly haven't found anywhere else. Seeing Manhattan and it's skyline made me feel proud for a moment, even though I am not from the state or city, I believe every American who visits take some sort of pride in beholding it's presence.

After that, I got off the bus at our stated arrival time, around  8pm -that Megabus is like clockwork. Descending from the steel cabin, the cold icy wind hit my face like an abdominal snowman's sneeze. So I hunkered down close by, waiting for the arrival of my Bostonian friend in the most practical place one could imagine: Starbucks. I ordered my $1.87 cup of coffee and watched the other buses roll in. The first sip felt warm as it snaked down my esophagus to my gut, igniting the furnace that would warm up my cold bones.

An hour later, Brian's bus rolled up and I went out to greet him. He was dresses slightly warmer than I was, I  mean heck, I was on my way to Colombia, South America, I didn't have a winter jacket on.

"Hey! What's up Christian Bale?" was the first thing he said to me.

Pretty funny considering I was actually going for that look at the time, considering I was sporting a pretty grown beard at the time, which did look similar to the look Bale had when he won his Oscar last year for The Fighter. Here, what do you think?:

So, after a quick initial chat we wanted to escape the cold and  made our way to his buddy David's house in lower Manhattan in a cab. Dave is a friend of Brian's from prep school in Boston, they lived in the same dorm way back when and haven't seen each other in a while, but you could tell they were good friends and picked up right where they left off.

Dave was actually moving to a new place the next day in Brooklyn  and part of our deal to feel like we earned our free stay was to help him move his stuff in the next morning. Dave lived in a trendy part of Manhattan, lots of NYU students lived and went out here; here being around 7th street.

So after sitting down and rapping about life for a bit with beers in hand, we wanted to go out for a bit. We headed down to one of Dave's favorite bars, a more out of the way bar which wasn't very crowded for a Friday night. I was so tired and after three of four of the his heavier lager-like beers, I was kind of spinning. The only eventful thing to my recollection that happened that night was a girl ball-tapped Brian with a pool-cue and we never figured out if she was trying to flirt or actually smack him in his loins.

After the attack, it was time to get some of the best falafel in NYC- according to Dave. I must say after scarfing it down before we even got back to his place, continuing to chow down even though I couldn't feel my fingers at one point, I had to agree. Most falafel doesn't sit well with me after eating it. Usually gives me a little acidic reflex. But not this stuff baby, I went to bed without having to take any anti-acids or tums- I feel like I just sounded like my Grandpa.

The next day hit hard. My head was aching a bit, but Dave tossed us some vitamins and made some eggs- best host ever. After showering and getting refreshed, we stuffed Dave's car full of clothes, paintings, and other personal effects and headed to Brooklyn; listening to Big L all the way there. As we listened to the linguists unique style describing his life in New York, we couldn't help but get lost in his words, seeing that the stuff he was rapping about 20 years ago was happening around us as we drove through the city.

The move in was relatively quick, seeing 3 young strapping lads like ourselves were able to accomplish this feat in 30 minutes. The rest of the day we went back to Manhattan and saw some sights: WTC Memorial, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station, Statue of Liberty ferry ride to Staten Island, and of course Times Square. And yes, the one simple goal I had to do while I was in New York; grab as many slices of NYC cut pizza as I could stomach. Ever since I saw the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and at the beginning the montage of New York and people putting down huge slices of greasy cheesy pizza, I had to have it. We went to the most authentic places we could find, places that looked like they had been there for decades. The best thing was they were a $1 or $1.50 per slice. I think the whole weekend I had at least 6 slices. My simple goal was complete.

After all the touring, we had a king's thirst and decided to head to the only place fit for such hunger: The Slaughtered Lamb. This is a bar decked out with dark candle-lit rooms and hard wooden tables, with two large hearths with roaring fires to warm the townsfolk that dare to enter in. Along with this medieval like feel, add Metal music and there you have it, the Slaughtered Lamb. I ordered the Fish and chips, not a scrap was left,not even for the dogs.

Dinner was finished and we went out for a few more drinks with another friend of Dave's and Bryan's. The four of us walked around a bit in Manhattan because the weather was a little warmer and took our time finding a spot. I had to fly to Miami the next day, so I wasn't in for the long haul. We left around midnight and headed back to Dave's. After a few more jokes and late-night banter, along with drunken arrival of Dave's new roommates who entertained us for a good 15 minutes before passing out, we went to bed.

The next morning was rushed as always, both Brian and I had a bus and plain to catch respectively. They dropped me off first. I said thanks to Dave(best host ever) and turned to my good friend Brian. He wished me luck on my travels and gave me a big bear hug. He cracked on more joke like he always does and said bye. It was strange, as I waved goodbye one last time before they drove away, almost immediately I felt a sudden change. A feeling of loneliness and abandonment because I was turning away from family and friends again for another six months for a life in another hemisphere. Many think I am  a world traveler and used to this type of coming and going, but I must admit every time that I go, a part of me stays behind. The empty spaces it creates are hardly, if ever, able to be replaced.

Christmas in Colombia

Now, before we fly off the handle here and say:
 "Hey! Hold on a tick...why is he writing about Christmas in February?!"
Relax folks, it was December, we all know how busy a time that can be; one must worry about shopping, driving through parks to look at Christmas lights, taking your grandma to water aerobics, going to parties and drinking from spiked-eggnog punch bowls until you have to be carried out by embarrassed family members(wait, maybe that just pertains to me). Let's just say the last two months, this writer was on vacation.

When looking back, I got to spend most of the Christmas season down here in Medellin, Colombia, which is a subject I am pretty sure is unknown to most people from North America and definitely needs to be addresses. In the simplest terms, Christmas in Colombia shares a lot in common with the way us Gringos up North celebrate it, however still retains a sort of uniqueness all its own, reflective of the people and their culture.

First, we'll bring it in for the real thing: hug it out and talk about what we share in common. After being in Spain and knowing how they spend Christmas, it is quite different from standard USA holiday season practice. Therefore, I thought that might translate to Colombian culture as well. However, quite the contrary. They don't celebrate Thanksgiving down here obviously, so I kid you not, Christmas decorations start coming out on store shelves in October-people are barely done slipping out of their sweat-stained Halloween costumes and there are already people sporting Santa hats at their version of Home Depot down here.

Christmas lights? You got em. Porcelain nativity scenes and santas and santas helpers and reindeer? Done. Kids bugging parents with endless present lists? Oh yeah, got them too. And of course, one cannot forget the   two universal symbols of Christmas in many Western Cultures: Jesus and the Christmas tree. Now, Colombia and Latin America in general are pretty intense Catholics, so I don't have to say how many Nativity scenes are set up everywhere and people going to Mass like everyday. Instead, I want to tell of an amazing display that Medellin is world renown for (not trying to take any thunder away from my main man Jesus): The Alumbrado.

Carlos and me at the alumbrado

Will, Dan, and Carlos!

Every December, Colombia and all its citizens are anxiously waiting  for the clock to strike midnight on the first of the month. It is basically the biggest Christmas party you can imagine, because the whole city participates vivaciously at the same time. On that night, a display of lights and decorations is switched on that consumes so much enegry, city residents in Medellin pay a special tax for December, just to help power the display. The Alumbrado is a yearly event that takes place in mutiple parts of the city, with spectaulcar light displays and carnival like atmospheres. However, the main light display is always on the River Medellin and stretches for a couple miles. All of December, families, couples, whoever, all gather at this point of the city to stroll the banks of the river and enjoy the lights. They are quite a sight indeed (see pics below). They are so intricate in design, that they take a year to plan and set up, so on January 2nd they are already planning for next year. Medellin now sells their light shows to other cities around the world once they are done with them- talk about a hot export.

Now for some differences. Snow, yeah, that ain't ever happening here. Second, Colombians are famous for being hardcore party people, but December is a whole 'nother level- January is when most people take vacation down here and I believe it is because they need a month to detox. On December 1st, fireworks are being launched all over the city, and the party goes until January 2nd. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, etc...you get the point. Everyday is a festival. What makes it fun is that whole neighborhoods get in on the action. I mean you can walk into any barrio and there are legit block parties going on that stretch blocks upon blocks; people making stews in huge iron pots in the middle of the street, sausages and other little tasty morsels being served faster than they can be consumed, and tons and tons of booze. If you are ever going to come to Colombia for the sole reason of partying, December might be the month for you.


However, one thing I really like about this Holiday Season in Medellin was the "Night of Candles" which is on the first Friday and Saturday of December. Everyone in the city slips into the streets to light candles on any surface they can find. It is quite an extraordinary sight when you see thousands of candles lit and stuck to curbs, benches, railings, and basically anywhere there is space. Obviously, in the USA, nothing like this would ever fly and we would be violating some type of fire code, but here Colombia...tradition trumps law sometimes. Check out some videos and pics of the night:

So all in all, Christmas was a great month. I also competed in a Crossfit tournament, and placed in the top 30 or so of my bracket, which was over 100 some competitors. Although I was invited to spend Christmas Eve with my friend Santiago at his parent's farmhouse, I decided to book a flight home on December 23 and surprise my family! Only problem was, I missed my connecting flight on Dec 23, so I had to sleep in Fort Lauderdale airport and get on the next flight on the next day at 5am. Pretty brutal trip, but my best friend Bono picked me up from the airport and secretly brought me to my house in Allison Park, and no one in my family had the slightest clue I was coming home for Christmas. There really is nothing that beats a white Christmas and sipping some warm Colombian coffee with family on Christmas morning. After a month of good tidings and good company to warm the soul, I returned to the city of eternal spring; and what happens next, well that belongs to the next chapter and the beginning of a new adventure for this young hobbit.

Kit Pic 2012

Love that baby

the younger siblings

Uncle Bill holding his niece Eli for the first time!