I am certainly overdue with a post on the blog updating my progress in Colombia. I feel like I am finally getting settled into this wonderful country but it has not been without a couple bumps in the road. Switching gears from my way of life in Korea, experiencing Indonesia for a month, and then plopping myself right into the thick of things in Colombia was a bit overwhelming, to say the least. I have been studying at a private Spanish school in Cartagena for the past month to try and get my language skills back up to par. I never thought it would be so hard to get to where I want to be with my Spanish but I have found it tremendously difficult to get over the hump. I am at an advanced level with all of my skills with the exception of my oral expression. Dammit. I have recently committed myself to studying a little harder and putting myself out there a little more into the local scene so I can practice more with some Colombian friends. I will get there!!!!
A part from the school, life in Cartagena has gone well. I have made some great friends here that I hope will continue to be influential in my life for a long time. I have really enjoyed the sites in the city as well but the weather is something I am not going to miss. It is ridiculously hot and humid here everyday. The people here are super friendly though and I have found most of the locals very easy to get along with.
I have been staying with a Colombian family over the past month as well and they have been excellent. The process of getting to know my host brothers was a little slow at first but we have become very close. Additionally, I have a really cool aunt and some little cousins that are part of my extended Colombian family here and I get to hang with some almost every night.
The food here is decent, but really does not hold a candle to the variety of tasty grub that is offered in Korea. I realize now how fortunate I was to have such unbelievable cusine available to me at all times while living in the FAR East. Damn, I miss Korea. If you are reading this post and thinking about teaching English, go to Korea and do it!!!!!!!
I have a few more stories about Colombia that I will share in upcoming posts. For now, I am off to bed so I can get some rest before another big day of español.
Hasta pronto!
