Remember in my last post regarding getting around in Colombia I said it was hazardous to be a pedestrian? Well, last night over dinner I learned (with a lot of effort and the assistance of google translate) Margaret, the Senora whom’s house I’m staying at, was struck by a car this past Monday. I was like WHAT?!?! From what I gathered it was a woman but thankfully Margaret wasn’t injured. She also said she didn’t fall to the ground either. It came up because they were asking me about God, religion etc. and I think she was saying God protected her, I think….
Come to think of it, I haven’t gone into detail on who I’m staying with. I’m living with Margaret a 53-year-old Colombian in her three-bedroom apartment. My room is adequate and comfy. Also, living at Margaret’s is her 48 yr old cousin Guillermo. Their fathers are brothers. Neither really speaks English. Which is good for my Spanish. Guillermo knows some basic words and displays some interest in learning English. Like everyone here, Margaret speaks muy rapido and despite her knowing my Spanish is very limited, she continues to speak as if it’s my native tongue. lol My guess is, because I can express some thoughts, she mistakes that for interpreting more than I do. Also, occasionally I can deduce what she’s saying because of her gestures, facial expressions and recognizing a word or two; then that’s mistaken for comprehending most of it. Guillermo is separated from his wife with whom his he one six-year-old son, that has visited twice on the weekend. He has two older children, but I don’t know if it’s with his estranged wife or not. I don’t know how long he’s been living her nor for how long it’s planned. He’s a bit of wise guy. If we’re all home, we usually eat together with him frequently translating something inappropriate into English that Margaret doesn’t understand. He’s also constantly saying he wants to talk to Ruthie on the phone, how is Ruthie or something along those lines accompanied by a devilish grin. Literally ALL THE TIME AT EVERY MEAL!!! It’s all in fun, I think…. Muy comico is what I repeatedly call him.
Speaking of Spanish, despite having a good teacher, I’m disappointed my Spanish hasn’t advanced as much as I would have envisioned. One reason is, I didn’t get started taking Spanish lessons immediately. Another is they talk so darn fast here in Cartagena. Even fluent speakers complain how fast they talk aqui. The problem with that is I just can’t hear it when people talk. I can’t make out the words and if I do by the time I’ve processed that word they’re already four to five more words ahead if not on to an entirely new sentence. It’s very frustrating. I also don’t study as much as I ought to. I study but to progress at the pace I aspire to, it requires a higher frequency. I wish my housemates demonstrated more patience and interest in helping me. Guillermo does a little but no go with Margaret. I trust that would facilitate a tad more learning. My violin instructor knows some English but not completely fluent which is good. She understands my plight, I think. Talking with her is undoubtedly stimulating for my Spanish growth. I’ve imagined I’ve learned more than I realize
So yea, I’m taking violin classes while I’m aqui. I always had the notion and story I couldn’t play instruments; that I did have that “gene”, but I realized I never attempted to learn. I’ve pondered learning how to play the violin over the last year or so because I absolutely love its sound. I can’t accurately articulate into words the resonance I savor with some songs and tunes. Almost in the same way GoT and more specifically House Stark do (joke, kind of). So, I reckoned, let me learn how to play. With the extra free time and contrast in prices, Cartagena was a fitting time and place. My instructor name is Andreas. She’s pregnant with a boy and due at the end of the month. She plays a multitude of instruments. The lessons are held in her casa just outside of Manga. I was commuting via taxi to class but following the first week, she offered to pick me up because she passes through Manga on her commute home for my lesson. An outstanding offer because it saves me $8.000 COP on a taxi, and I get to practice more Spanish in the car. Normally at her house is her daughter who helps translate sometimes and her amigo or novio. I’m not sure. My first class, she asked what kind of music do I like and I said everything. I then narrowed it down to Hov aka Jigga aka Jay-Z and Coldplay. She immediately played a tune to Clocks, one of Coldplay’s signature hits. The other day she played the opening to Game of Thrones (I saw Game of Thrones cards in her home one day and obviously made an obscure reference to my mild affinity toward the show and have since mentioned it once or twice) which was awesome! As I mentioned, I have ZERO instrumental experience. Not playing, not reading, nada. The other day I asked what’s the hardest instrument to learn and she said the violin. Great!
A few people have asked what am eating as most people know my eating habits are, let’s say unique. Thankfully, that’s never been a problem to any of the Latin countries I’ve visited. It’s always a lot of chicken, beef and maybe fish with rice, beans, potatoes for sides with a substantial amount of fruits always available. My only issue here in Cartagena has been the lack of vegetables. I’m fairly certain I haven’t been served one vegetable by Margaret nor any establishment I’ve visited. Well, I take that back. Some restaurants have served a small salad on the side, but I find salads particularly salad dressing repulsive so that doesn’t factor in for me. 🤷🏾♂️ To compensate, instead of buying the most favorable smoothie, I am purchasing more veggie-oriented smoothies. Subsequently, let’s just I’ve seen some improvements.
Aside from visiting Minca last weekend, I’ve mostly been focusing on the Spanish, violin and volunteering. Minca is a town right outside Santa Marta (four hours away) and known for its tropical rainforest and gorgeous landscape. I stayed at two hostels which were also a first time for me. It was a quick excursion; aside from beautiful views and stumbling across some uncompanioned horses on a hike to a waterfall, blissfully uneventful. Everyone I spoke with raved about how gorgeous Minca is, you have to visit Minca. It has some wonderful views and a very tranquil vibe. I did lose my second and last pair of sunglasses on the bus back.
As of now, I’m two weeks out from returning home and we’ll see what happens with that. Over the past week I’ve noticed I’m not homesick, but more people sick, however, I feel like another month here would be satisfying. Next weekend there is a huge carnival in Barranquilla (two hours north of Cartagena) and from what I’ve been told the second biggest carnival after Rio De Janeiro’s. My Spanish instructor Gustavo has arranged a group of approximately 15 people. After that, I’m off to Medellin for my last week in the country.
Live. Laugh. Love. Travel. 