Warm Colombia

There’s something about Colombian people, it’s a warmth you can’t find anywhere else. It’s the way the say “cafecito con leche” when the flight attendant asks them what they want to drink. It’s the guy in the front row turning to ask me if I have a pillow (almohadita) because he has an extra one, or if I want an extra blanket. It’s a familiarity you feel with people you’ve never seen your life, how we connect, how we feel happy when the plane touches this country’s soil. It’s the applause you hear inside the plane because we’re coming home… It’s good to be here… very good!

I slept like a baby last night, after a late night with my mom, my brothers and my best friend. Sitting at the table to tell jokes and talk about the country while sharing some delicious “empanadas” leaves your heart with a warm feeling that lasts for a lifetime. Today I lazied around the house and then in the afternoon my sister in law invited me over for “el algo”, mango juice and pandeyuca. Then we discussed scrapbooking and oil painting and my mother already “signed me up” for another course.

Then my uncles at their house, all happy to see me. Sitting in front of the TV to watch the football (soccer) game and listening to their complaining about the Colombian team. Yes, I’m definitely here and I’m happy. I’m writing this entry offline and then an e-mail to my husband because I can’t hog the telephone line, but my brother has a brand new PC which recognized my digital camera, woo hoo! Now I can share my Colombian life without having to wait to be back in Canada.

Juan goes McLaren!

w00t! A dream come true: Juan Pablo Montoya will be running for my favorite F1 Team in 2005. Now I’ll go to bed happy and tomorrow this will be the topic of discussion at the table when I’m home with my brothers, ha! Going south…

Not alone after all!

Every time I go to Colombia and I have to wait endless hours in Miami I wish I knew someone who lives close enough to the airport so I can meet them. Well, my wish has finally come true! During my layover at MIA tomorrow I’m going to meet a fellow blogger and lizard and she has been most nice offering to keep me company while I wait for my connecting flight; not to mention she told me she’ll bring latin goodies for me to eat, he he. This is going to be exciting!

As for the packing? It’s done… Well, I still have to prepare my carry-on which is essential for me these days considering a very bad experience when my bags were left behind and I had to survive two days with my brother’s T-Shirts, my mom’s PJs (she’s petite, I’m rather large, go figure) and buy emergency underwear because I didn’t have the traveling connaissance. There are things to take care of and every time I fly I get this icky feeling “I should do this and that just in case something happens” – Oh well, blame my mother for being so preventive. I better move and take care of the last few things if I want to go out later to get a few tings and see Patrice’s mom. I don’t know if I’ll post later today, so I guess I’ll “read” you from Colombia.

Just for fun, here’s a list of the CDs I’m bringing with me because I just can’t live without music.

Amélie – Soundtrack
David Gray – White Ladder
Gin Blossoms – The Best of
Heather Nova – Siren
John Mayer – Heavier Things
John Mayer – Room for Squares
Lenny Kravitz – Greatest Hits
Matchbox Twenty – Mad Season
Matchbox Twenty – More Than You Think You Are
Natalie Umbruglia – Left of the Middle
Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
R.E.M. – In Time 1988-2003
Rod Stewart – The Great American Songbook
Save Ferris – It Means Everything
Save Ferris – Modified
The Corrs – In Blue
The Cranberries – The Best of
The Goo Goo Dolls – Dizzy Up The Girl
The Verve – Urban Hymns
Train – Drops of Jupiter
U2 – All You Can’t Leave Behind
U2 – The B Sides
U2 – The Best of 1980-1990
U2 – The Best of 1990-2000
Weezer – Green
You’ve Got Mail – Soundtrack
+ 4 CD Mixes by Yours Truly

Books: The Secret Life of Bees (for the BKO Lounge book discussion) and Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence, Encore Provence and French Lessons. Once I’m at home I’ll go through the books I left there (and will bring with me some day) to see what other treasures I find.

Packing Day

I’m almost done packing. Yes, for sure I’ll be posting from another latitude within the week. I’m so not looking forward to the layover in Miami because the first two hours are fun when you go to the news stands, but then you just don’t know how to park your butt on the chair and wait… alone! Thank God this time the flight from Montreal is leaving later than usual, so I only have to wait a few hours between planes.

I better go and get ready because we’re meeting friends at La Cage aux Sports to see the Grey Cup final (Go Alouettes!). I don’t understand football, I don’t like it very much, but Patrice and his friend are certainly excited and decided to take the wives for a nice meal (reservations made and everything), who can say no? I just wish I didn’t have these cramps, ouch! How’s your Sunday going?

My life with U2

I’m quite the stealer these days. This time took it from Jennifer: The idea is to answer the questions with song titles from one of your favourite artists and I chose my beloved U2.

Are you male or female? Party Girl
Describe yourself: Some Days Are Better Than Others
How do some people feel about you? So Cruel
How do you feel about yourself? I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Describe your boyfriend (husband): Sweetest Thing
Where would you rather be? Where the Streets Have No Name
Describe what you want to be: Even Better Than The Real Thing
Describe how you live: Mysterious Ways
Describe how you love: Until The End of the World
Share a few words of wisdom: Two Hearts Beat as One