Move to Colombia?
If you watch commercials on any of the local TV stations, listen to sports radio, see the Travel & Living channel spots on cable TV, you can easily get primed to move to Colombia despite its well-deserved reputation for violence, kidnapping, and drug trafficking. This is not to mention the on-going civil war raging between Colombia’s government, Para-military forces like the AUC and Guerilla military forces like the FARC. Let’s not forget the ghastly murder and crime rates.
Nonetheless, after considering the post “20 Reasons Not to Move to Dubai” in an ELT forum online, I thought I’d take a shot at a similarly-themed post dealing with diverse aspects of Colombia. Now don’t get me wrong, I have lived in Colombia for the past 12 years teaching English as a foreign language with my Colombian wife. I pay taxes, health insurance and retirement through the Colombian systems. I still live here and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, but it is exactly this familiarity bred from many years living and working here that empower me to write about this country.
Here’s the first five of my 20-item list and brief commentary:
1. In many areas there are NO or very few government services.
Streets are pot-hole-riddled and what there are of highways are often a mess, but drivable.
During peak periods of travel, multiple delays, massive traffic jams and over-burdened transportation systems and facilities are common place.
2. The climate, while tropical in most areas, can vary to extremes.
Summer months from June through August can be brutally hot in some areas and unseasonably cool in others. You’ll need a sweater or jacket in Bogotá and air-conditioning in Cali, Cartagena and other cities.
3. There is the constant threat of earthquakes.
Most of Colombia from the Pacific coast to the central highlands and beyond has experienced devastating earthquakes which can occur during any time of the day or night. I have lived through serious early morning tremors that cracked walls and tumbled ceilings to night time quakes the rendered buildings uninhabitable and caused the seemingly super-natural glow of earthquake lights to appear around the city of Cali.
4. There is the constant threat of volcanic eruptions.
Several of Colombia’s many volcanoes are in active or semi-active status. The most news-worthy of these being Galeras Volcano, located beside the city of Pasto populated by more than 400,000 people, in the southern part of the country. Warnings and evacuation “threats” have become so common that residents hardly pay them any attention until ash and gas spew forth from the blackened summit. Colombia’s worst catastrophe was the destruction of Armero, an entire town of more than 23,000 inhabitants virtually all killed in one night – buried under a volcanic eruption-caused mudslide more than forty feet deep. Other Colombian volcanoes include snow-capped Nevada Ruiz, also with recent eruptions, and Purace.
5. There are sometimes frequent outages of water or power services.
We’ve gone to collecting and storing rain water. That way, when the water supply “fails” or goes out for any reason, we still have some water available for washing, bathing, cleaning and cooking. Sometimes the outages are announced. Sometimes they’re not – catching the unwary unprepared. These “waterless” periods can last for hours or days – sometimes you just never know.
In part two of this multiple-part series, we’ll continue to examine what I feel are the 20 most critical problems with Colombia that keep it a “third world” country. Your comments, opinions and feedback are welcomed. See you next installment.
By: Larry M. Lynch
Posts Tagged ‘Teaching English As A Foreign Language’
Travel in Colombia – Six Succulent Soups of the South in Colombia
November 3rd, 2009
Exotic Foods Abound in Colombia
Although “exotic” foods abound in Colombia, the most succulent, flavorful offerings are its locally-made soups. One of the many pleasures of living and teaching English as a foreign language abroad is the opportunity to sample and savor a unique plethora of foods. From chilly Bogotá, Colombia’s mountain-located capitol city, through aromatic seafood soups from the Pacific coast to the steaming goodness of Cali, Salsa music capitol of Colombia, here are some of the country’s best soups.
Here Are Six Succulent Soups from Colombia
” Sancocho de Gallina
The national dish of Colombia, this hearty soup is made with a whole stewed chicken or rooster including the feet. Added in are yucca, yellow plantain, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and seasonings. It’s served with a bed of steaming white rice and fresh slices of locally-grown avocado.
” Mondongo
A truly hearty meal in which cubes of tripe are cooked until tender, then added into a stew of vegetables like yucca, yellow plantain, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, peas and seasonings. It’s also often served with a bed of steaming white rice. A cold, locally-brewed beer goes well with this too.
” Ajiaco
As creamy a soup as they get, this specialty of Bogotá is made with tender chicken breast, two varieties of potatoes; small yellow potatoes and white potatoes, yucca and lots of fresh whole milk to give it its characteristic creamy texture and light color. It’s served with Guasca (a green, leafy vegetable) and Alcaparras (capers) and is a taste sensation you’ll likely never forget.
” Changua
Another milk-based soup commonly served in Bogotá and environs for breakfast. It is simple with beef broth, milk, and eggs as its main ingredients. Parsley is often sprinkled on top for added color and bouquet.
” Sancocho de Pescado
Along Colombia’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts, this full version of the national dish is made with several types of seafood instead of chicken. Fried slices of yellow or green plantain accompany this dish as does white rice cooked in coconut milk instead of water. Sliced fresh avocado, tomato and fried fish are often piled on a platter next to the bowl of soup which is actually more like a stew.
” Caldo de Costillas
The third highest capitol city in the world, Bogotá can get quite chilly mornings and late evenings year-round. For a great chilly morning pick-me-up you can’t do better than a bowl of this simple beef broth cooked with white potatoes and a healthy slab of meaty beef rib thrown in, always still on the bone. Bread or arepa (a thick flour tortilla-like bread) on the side help fuel you up for a busy day in Colombia’s capitol city. Add a hot cup of Colombia’s rich, mild coffee and you’re good to go for the day.
Feeling Adventuresome?
If you’re feeling adventuresome, then by all means try the “Hormigas Culonas” ants from Santander, the flaky smoked shark called “Tollo”, or dip into a stew of Iguana meat. But for me, I’ll savor the flavors of these wonderful broths and hearty meals served with rice, fried plantain or a flat, toasted “arepa”. Any way you try them, they’re all simply delicious. Whether it’s “exotic” foods or one of the locally-made traditional soups, your taste buds are in for a treat when you come to Colombia.
By: Larry M. Lynch