AN IRISH VISION OF COLOMBIA
Colombia was certainly an interesting country, Not sorry to be leaving because of the expense but very glad I went and would consider returning when I`m rich and famous!..and beautiful!!!!--.
We were a bit worried before arriving that we would be treated badly in Colombia on account of being Irish but this was far from the case. Despite the Colombian inquisition at the airport, the real life on Colombian streets was a different story. The majority of Colombians didn`t even know where Ireland was. They would ask you where you were from, you`d answer "Irlanda" which would lead to a blank expression.
Approximately three seconds later, they would nod knowingly and talk about our "great soccer team, giants in orange shirts".."No not Holland", we would insist..
another blank look, another 3second recollection period...
"Oh yes, it`s very cold there", they would say...we would nod enthusiastically in agreement,
3seconds later..."and ye`ve lots hot springs" they would say...NOOOO not Iceland!
At best, the majority of people might have watched Brad Pitt in "The Devil`s Own" and ask the normal South American question "From the north or South?" Only about five people mentioned the Colombian Three to us and none of them were rude about it.
Colombia was a very interesting country. Plagued for years by guerrilla war, it is now experiencing its purple patch with natives enjoying a much safer life than before. A lot of this is due to the iron grip of Prez Uribe who is taking no messing from anybody! He da man! And all of Colombia seem to love him.
FARC still rule the roost in the South-East of the country but they are currently losing their grip on the South of the country which was all theirs back in 2004. The Paramilitaries now pose the biggest threat..they were originally set up and maintained by previous governments to help conquer the guerrilla forces. They quickly became involved in the profitable drugs and arms trade and the government must now give them a monthly allowance to stop them from seizing complete control with the arms they possess.
Colombians are a very warm and friendly people. They reminded me a lot of Argentines with their open and curious nature, their obsession with appearance and beauty and their rigid belief that their country is the best and most important in the world.
They consistently used to tell us how beautiful their country was, how great the people were, how wonderful the buses were. They used to ask us how we liked the food while almost answering for us. With the exception of some really tasty fruit, the food in Colombia was absolutely ROTTEN, regular rice, frijoles (refried beans), lumpy meat, sweet banana and eggs but the Colombians thought it to be the best in the world.
This assumption of importance goes so far as to overlook the worldly Gods of politics and money....One taxi driver even told us how Venezuelan Prez Hugo Chavez is helping FARC traffic drugs. He then went on to inform us that the reason Hugo Chavez will not provide the US with petroleum is because the US is carrying out Plan Colombia in Colombia!! Yep Sir, it has nothing to do with foreign policy, money and the battle of Capitalism V Socialism...it is all to do with Colombia!
Every Colombian is concerned with how their country is viewed by the rest of the world. They are aware that they have a bad reputation which, for the record, is highly exaggerated by the International press. There are some areas in Colombia where you would not dream of going to, such as the Amazon as it is overrun with guerrilla forces and bandits, but Colombia is not all danger and gore. Colombia features on the website www.comebackalive.com where the danger of countries is measured according to colour. The highest danger levels is represented by the colour red and the only countries that merit red (acc to this website!) are Iraq....And Colombia!...which is a load of bullology.
Colombia are entitled to certain claims of self-importance, however, when one considers the outstanding beauty that exists in the country. I would not rave about the beauty as much as Collins because I am a girl and I can see through lots of make-up, fake boobs and a hairstyle that takes three hours but one cannot deny that many of the women (and the men) are very beautiful. This beauty usually exists where money does and explains why Bogota and Medellin had the best looking women while Cartagena had average-looking people and San Augustin and Popayan in the south were like a new country. It is difficult to explain why good looking people in South America are always rich but I spose it stems from the fact that poorer people really have to work hard ere...And that sometimes means working in the extremes of weather and in the most difficult of jobs which is never good for any complexion!
It is also a well-known fact, and one I`m am now only slowly beginning to realize, that clothes also make a huge difference. I always knew they made a difference on guys but I always thought a pretty gal could wear what she wanted. Collins and the people we`ve met on this trip have made me realize that this is not true at all..that boys are more into fashion than gals and a nice pair of jeans goes a lot longer than a pretty face. And so it follows that the rich Colombians can dress better and hence look better than their poorer associates in the South of the country.The fact that they have pretty faces also helps!
And so Colombia done and one valuable lesson learnt...I mightn`t have the face but if I ever acquire enough patience for hardcore shopping, I`ll have the jeans alrite!!
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http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/roro/rnd_trip_06-07/1174830540/tpod.html
