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Published: January 30th 2009
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Between the dreams and stories.
I have done a bunch of other day-to-day stuff that hasn’t made it to the final cuts.
So I thought I’d fill in the gaps and create the glue. I know, me and my bloody metaphors. As you know I have a theory for almost everything that involves cake - except for the one about cats and dogs.
CAKE: There are infinite varieties; it all just depends on the ingredients and ratios. But there are also some basic requirements. Sounds a lot like our lives really. Well I have been making all sorts of cakes recently: Some with lots of flour and just a little sugar, others that are basically just sugar and eggs.
• Home mass at Faber’s - A friend of Moka’s who’s Aunt is a nun and had just returned from a ‘mission’ in Cuba. The family gathered in the yard and the priest encouraged everyone to speak. At one point we were all holding hands in a circle and saying the Hail Mary: I can only imagine what someone walking by must have thought.
• Houses with security fences - All the neighbourhoods in the city are like prisons, with huge fences around the property. I guess it works and makes people feel more secure, but it is far from astetic.
• Supermarkets without golden syrup but divine arequipe: NO hokey pokey biscuits on baking day, but the smooth rich caramel the consistency of peanut butter is hard to resist. You are suppose to eat it spread over round wafers the size of your head called obleas, but a sneaky tablespoon every now and then is a naughty treat when you fancy something sweet.
• Arepas - A country institute that is sold roadside cooked on 40-gallon drums as well as in posh restaurants. They can be made from just corn and cooked like a bread on the bbq or made with eggs and sugar in a pan. I prefer them without cheese, which is apparently a sin: but each to their own.
• Malls - The insane amount of malls and model looking people roaming around is in stark contrast to the public streets where people beg with their children in tow.
• Waking up at 9am - Oh the life of luxury! No alarms to startle me into reality, but a gentle realisation I would like to get up. A pinch of cinnamon and a clove make Isabel’s coffee a morning pleasure.
• My Spanish - The books have taken a back seat and I focus on a few new words each day. Especially useful words that I need to reach the next level of communication. I have also added about 7 different words for good: depending on weather it is food a place a thing etc.
• Peeling a Mango - Every night dinner in the Torres house is accompanied by freshly made fruit juice. It is a comparatively easy and helpful thing I can do. As a result I have now developed my own technique to peel a mango with a knife.
• Playing Hop Scotch - Is a global pastime for those around 10 years old. Laura, Moka’s niece came to stay a while during the school holidays and we had fun drawing with chalk, making a horrific scene of trying to throw a stone and even played on monkey bars.
• There are a whole bunch of other details that are the glue to my stay in Colombia, but there is only so much one can say without falling off the limb.
We have been in Chile for week now and I am definitely missing Colombia. Not just the temperate and civilized climate, use of a car and great coffee. But Isabel and Hernando who welcomed me into their home, and if I may be so bold, their hearts. Your love and generosity are greatly appreciated and I hope to repay you soon if you come to London!
I look forward to returning to Colombia soon and exploring more and meeting again Moka’s amazing family and friends who have treated me like family!
I also want to thank all of you who have subscribed to this ‘very serious and informative blog’. Knowing you are interested keeps me writing. I am no Martin Luther King, but I do have a dream….. and I am currently living it - travelling and writing! What more could a lil Tina want?
(Water might be nice?! Woke up at 5:30 this morning to bike for an hour and watch the sun rise over the Atacama dessert near San Pedro in Northern Chile. Would love a shower to remove the layer of dust that has stuck to my sunscreen - but the water is turned off! On the bright side there is always a solution to problems. The answer here is: WETONES!!!!)
xx
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Brad
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Keep the comments coming babe - i love reading all the updates... how is oscar?? Were is next on the agenda... i bet you are haing the time of ur life... u r sorely missed over here as we go about our boring everyday lives.... good hearing from you - miss you both xo