To change or not to change

sooo...the third entry...i already feel like a native, is that good or bad? hmm...hard to judge but my friends in Canada already refer to me as "Colombia"... I really appreciate the culture here, but I have also changed, like a chameleon, I have adapted to my surroundings very well, i think... I believe, that I've changed to a manner that's more straightforward, that I don't beat around the bush...people here are very honest for the better or for the worst which is different than in Canada, we try to please people and end up being two-faced at times....here it's take it or leave it...which I've grown to love...
In continuation, so... I make coffee through a cheese-cloth here and you know what? it actually tastes better ;) I don't really miss starbucks here because they have Juan Valdez which is like the starbucks of Colombia and actually much better !!!! they have it in the states but not yet in Canada, what a shame... maybe I should invest and bring it over hmmm... ahh yes, we were discussing changes...kissing ...I mean greeting people...yes, I kiss people on the cheek (only once here, unlike europe 2-3 times)and here you kisss everyone from a grandmother, to your best friend to your boss to the CEO of a multinational like Coca-cola....here I eat food with a fork and knife, nothing different except that they have street food like "arepas" and "empanadas" which is like stuffed, deep fried bread and delish...the largest thing I have grown accustomed to and like here is the music "vallenato" at first, hearing accordian all night long in the club was a little heavy but now I'm the one requesting it...imagine that....and recommend everyone to download the following song " te deje" peter manjarres (ps: this is not propaganda :).... Buying things here, well lets just say the taxis rip you off, you have to tell them right away that its too expensive and that they shouldnt rob you in front of your face....other than that you most places will charge you normal prices, in markets or on the street, I never pay the asking price, always bargain ....but its a bit different because it is Bogota, a capital city just like in the rest of the world...most prices are standard and monitored, because the city is very developed... ... When you are talking to a person here you look them in the eye, it is a very important form of communication, and I have definitely lost all shyness I had before.....I also feel safe walking here in the evening, you just have to know or pretend to know where you are going, to be confident otherwise people approach you and beg for money.... Women here are treated about the same as men, there is that old colonial chivalry left, they open doors and men pay if they invite you for coffee, or dinner or food (it doesn't matter if its your boss/bf/grandpa etc)....and here they whistle or make funny noises when you're walking down the street, also same rule applies, boss/grandpa/10 year old boy etc....I've also grown accustomed to when people say sweet little names in place of your real name, like senorita, chiquita, mami (women also say this to other women), mamita, preciosa etc.... which is kind of cute...almost makes you feel specialll :))) welll this is where I end my commentary I mean book... until next blog

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Part of trip: Colombia

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