Four Years in Bogotá

In these four years I have not had the same life that attracted me to Colombia in the first place. I was first attracted to responsible consumption, philosophy, critical thinking and the endless shades of greens, browns and yellows of Bogotá and Colombia. I first traveled endlessly; smelled, saw, tasted, listened to, heard, felt all over Colombia. That was the life of a student. This time around, these four years, has taught me more "practical" knowledge among life's many lessons. I've learned about people during hard economic times. I've learned why Colombians consider themselves happy, and without noticing, I've learned happiness myself. I've followed my heart. In the one or two times I've thought to bail and head back north, I've learned I've adapted to life in Colombia. I've learned to ask myself daily around 11 in the morning, "What fresh fruit juice will I be having at lunch today?" I've learned that you can do tomorrow that which doesn't need to be done today. I've observed, fascinated and entranced myself in so many shades of green rippling hills. I've danced regularly and irregularly in clubs, homes and my kitchen. I've played along to quality music with a fork and a glass. I've sat on buses and scratched along to vallenatos on a water bottle. I've ridden my bike everywhere. I've worried about the future and the present of this country. I was here on September 11, 2001. I've missed home and family. I've grown four years older here and I'm glad I've decided to do so.