Saturday, December 13, 2008


The last week has been hectic. Trying to finish out the units so everyone has the Christmas Break off. Yes, down here itis still called Christmas Break, not Winter Break. Well, this was the last day before I leave for the states. Went shopping and mellowed out in a park. Then it was home to pack, say goodbyes, take some pictures (OK, some of them are fuzzy, but I was in a hurry). Hope to see or talk to you this Holiday Season
Felice Natividad y prospero anos!
John
http://picasaweb.google.com/nbbeachteacher/BucaramangaParkAndXmasLightsInOurComplex#

Sunday, December 7, 2008

The lost of a student - Emma Tello


This has taken me a long time to write because it is hard on a teacher when they lose a student that you liked and thought could go a long way in life. It is even more so when you teach in a small school. Emma Tello was such a student. She was one of the 45 tenth grade students that I teach at Colegio Panamericano. When the high school has only around 200 students total, and everybody grew up with everybody as they went through the grades, the students all know each other (even in other grades) and these makes it even harder on them. Emma was killed in a car accident involving a bad road, alcohol, a cell phone and no seat belt. She died on scene and it has hit our little community hard. For three days straight I went to church services at the school, 2 different High Masses, and a funeral.
It is so different here when you lose a student than when I taught in Long Beach. You had a lot more students (182 to 83) to get to know there, and you can only get to so know so many of them well. Also, here it is more of like you are part of a small community. You go to events and happenings where you interact with your students and their families. Like tonight, I am going to Candle Night,this is the official beginning of the Christmas season here in Colombia. The family gets together and they turn out their lights for two hours. Then the family does something special, like reading a book with your family by candlelight. Then you enjoy a quiet dinner with some special people. This night can mean many things for many people. But, it is seen as a time to save energy, to think about peace, to think about your family and friends, and the people in distant lands who share your planet.
Anyway,I am digressing. Emma was a beautiful person, a great student, and our school, our community, and myself personally with miss her.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

My first trip to Bogota


Ok, Sorry I have been bad at writing. Well, I have been busy. Both good busy and bad busy. 2 weeks ago I decided I needed to get the heck out of Dodge, I mean Bucaramanga. So, I took a trip to Bogota on one of our many 3 day weekends. I took the 10:00pm bus to get there at 6:00am. I dropped my stuff off at the Platypus Hostel and checked out the old part of the city. I went to the gold Museum, Bolivar Square, and the Boltero Gallery.
When I got back to the Playpus, they asked me if I wanted a private bathroom for 10.000 COP extra. I said yes and got taken to the brand new Playpus Hostel, right of the main squares. I got a nice room, hard new bed,wood floors, and a great private bath for 40,000 COP (around $18.00) They also had 27/7 security and coffee, and brand new kitchen, and a 60'flat screen, with DVD and satellite. The kitchen was on the second floor, so you could people watch, and check out the weekend flea market that appeared around the square.
Anyway, after trying my first McDonalds in Colombia. Yes, the Big Mac was just as tasteless here as in the U.S. However, the fries were just as good as at home. I was tired, it was cold, and it started raining in the late afternoon. So, I called it a day and hung out at the hostel and hit the sack early.
Sunday, I headed up to Mt. Monseratte. You can take a cable car or sky train to the top. I chose the sky train up and the cable car down. At the top is a church and some beautiful views of the city. This is where you finally get a grasp on how big Bogota is, over 8 million people. I had my first Colombian tamale,they are a olot different than the ones at home. It's like moist cornbread with veggies, meat and chicken in it, yum! I also tried this mild white cheese that they spread carmel and berry jam on top, a double yum!
After coming down from the mountain, I headed to the flea market, very different. Then I hung at the hostel and watched people for a bit to get my legs back. I then headed for the National Museum. I got lost, walked an extra mile or two and finally found the street to the NM. They close it down on Sundays, and it becomes a long walking, bike riding, roller blading street. It is also a long market where you can find anything. Finally, I came upon the NM. I have to say that it was a big disappointment. After walking through it, I headed for home.
Later, that night I took a cab to the Zona Rosa. It's not like TJ. It is where there is a huge mall, like Fashion Island. Also all the really nice restaurants, bars,and clubs are situated there. I found the Irish Pub (imagine that), had a Guinness,a Colombian Stout(brewed by the Bogota Beer Company, a micro brewery/restaurant/bar), and a nice cigar. I sat an watched the Cowboys play the Skins on Sunday night Football. I started talking to woman and her daughter. They told me that young Colombians were getting hooked on American football. After we walked around and had a beer at the Bogota Beer Company. I got a phone number for the next time I got to Bogota, then headed for home around 1:00am.
Got up around 9:00am,and decided that I wanted to head for home early, so I changed from a 3:00pm bus to the 12 noon bus. OH MY GOD! It was the bus ride from hell. We stopped at least 10 times, and got laid up In San Gil for and hours because a couple that hooked up on the bus, would not move. We had to wait for the police to come and take them off. Finally got home at 10:00pm. That's when I got the bad news, which you will have to wait till next time for.
Check it out on picasa: http://picasaweb.google.com/nbbeachteacher

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Panamericno Days at School


Ok, I am going to talk about something that happened a week ago. We had a celebration at school called Panamericano Days. It was school wide celebration, that lasted for 3 days. From Wednesday to Friday, no teaching, just hanging out and watching the kids as the competed during the celebration. I had to take care of the group called the Costenos. That is the name for the people from this area of Colombia. The other groups were the LLanos (from the rolling plains in the East), the Pacificanos(from the Pacific coast), and the Nortenos (from around Bogota). Wednesday was a room decorating day, with an assembly that ended with a high school dance contest. It was wild! The kids did things that wouldn't fly in the States. But, we were told that this was a cultural norm here.
Thursday was sports day. They high schoolers played boy and girl soccer, volleyball, basketball, and ping pong. They also had water balloon fights and eating contests. I was asked to compete, and said yes. My mistake! I had to eat little red onions in vinegar, called Cebollitas. Yech! I got have a jar down, but came in third of four. But, I did beat a native Colombian that like those things. After that I hung back and watched the games the rest of the day.
Friday was another dance contest, and I got asked to judge it. Little did I know that the contest lasted for 2 and a half hours. It was and endurance dance. I was deaf and sore from sitting on concrete the whole time. They brought in some Colombian rappers who were not to bad. It was just a long 2 1/2 hours. After that we had a closing ceremony, with cake and drink. My group came in second (we were robbed). Anyway it was fun and the kids had fun. It is just interesting that they have so many holiday and off days here.

Check out the pictures at: Ok, I am going to talk about something that happened a week ago. We had a celebration at school called Panamericano Days. It was school wide celebration, that lasted for 3 days. From Wednesday to Friday, no teaching, just hanging out and watching the kids as the competed during the celebration. I had to take care of the group called the Costenos. That is the name for the people from this area of Colombia. The other groups were the LLanos (from the rolling plains in the East), the Pacificanos(from the Pacific coast), and the Nortenos (from around Bogota). Wednesday was a room decorating day, with an assembly that ended with a high school dance contest. It was wild! The kids did things that wouldn't fly in the States. But, we were told that this was a cultural norm here.
Thursday was sports day. They high schoolers played boy and girl soccer, volleyball, basketball, and ping pong. They also had water balloon fights and eating contests. I was asked to compete, and said yes. My mistake! I had to eat little red onions in vinegar, called Cebollitas. Yech! I got have a jar down, but came in third of four. But, I did beat a native Colombian that like those things. After that I hung back and watched the games the rest of the day.
Friday was another dance contest, and I got asked to judge it. Little did I know that the contest lasted for 2 and a half hours. It was and endurance dance. I was deaf and sore from sitting on concrete the whole time. They brought in some Colombian rappers who were not to bad. It was just a long 2 1/2 hours. After that we had a closing ceremony, with cake and drink. My group came in second (we were robbed). Anyway it was fun and the kids had fun. It is just interesting that they have so many holiday and off days here.

Ok, I am going to talk about something that happened a week ago. We had a celebration at school called Panamericano Days. It was school wide celebration, that lasted for 3 days. From Wednesday to Friday, no teaching, just hanging out and watching the kids as the competed during the celebration. I had to take care of the group called the Costenos. That is the name for the people from this area of Colombia. The other groups were the LLanos (from the rolling plains in the East), the Pacificanos(from the Pacific coast), and the Nortenos (from around Bogota). Wednesday was a room decorating day, with an assembly that ended with a high school dance contest. It was wild! The kids did things that wouldn't fly in the States. But, we were told that this was a cultural norm here.
Thursday was sports day. They high schoolers played boy and girl soccer, volleyball, basketball, and ping pong. They also had water balloon fights and eating contests. I was asked to compete, and said yes. My mistake! I had to eat little red onions in vinegar, called Cebollitas. Yech! I got have a jar down, but came in third of four. But, I did beat a native Colombian that like those things. After that I hung back and watched the games the rest of the day.
Friday was another dance contest, and I got asked to judge it. Little did I know that the contest lasted for 2 and a half hours. It was and endurance dance. I was deaf and sore from sitting on concrete the whole time. They brought in some Colombian rappers who were not to bad. It was just a long 2 1/2 hours. After that we had a closing ceremony, with cake and drink. My group came in second (we were robbed). Anyway it was fun and the kids had fun. It is just interesting that they have so many holiday and off days here.Ok, I am going to talk about something that happened a week ago. We had a celebration at school called Panamericano Days. It was school wide celebration, that lasted for 3 days. From Wednesday to Friday, no teaching, just hanging out and watching the kids as the competed during the celebration. I had to take care of the group called the Costenos. That is the name for the people from this area of Colombia. The other groups were the LLanos (from the rolling plains in the East), the Pacificanos(from the Pacific coast), and the Nortenos (from around Bogota). Wednesday was a room decorating day, with an assembly that ended with a high school dance contest. It was wild! The kids did things that wouldn't fly in the States. But, we were told that this was a cultural norm here.
Thursday was sports day. They high schoolers played boy and girl soccer, volleyball, basketball, and ping pong. They also had water balloon fights and eating contests. I was asked to compete, and said yes. My mistake! I had to eat little red onions in vinegar, called Cebollitas. Yech! I got have a jar down, but came in third of four. But, I did beat a native Colombian that like those things. After that I hung back and watched the games the rest of the day.
Friday was another dance contest, and I got asked to judge it. Little did I know that the contest lasted for 2 and a half hours. It was and endurance dance. I was deaf and sore from sitting on concrete the whole time. They brought in some Colombian rappers who were not to bad. It was just a long 2 1/2 hours. After that we had a closing ceremony, with cake and drink. My group came in second (we were robbed). Anyway it was fun and the kids had fun. It is just interesting that they have so many holiday and off days here.

Check out the pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/nbbeachteacher

Chow, John

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Trip to Piedracuesta for cigars


Ok, I know I have not written in a while. Sorry I have been busy, as I am try to catch up and get ahead of the curve in getting material ready for my classes.
So, last week we got out early on Wednesday. So,my friend Robbie and I went down to Piedacuesta. It is a small town about a half hour taxi drive out of Floridablanca. We went there to find cigars. Something you probably don't know is that Santander(the state in Colombia I live in), was one of the first places in the new world to grow tobacco. In fact, this was before Cuba and the Central American area started to grow it. The story goes that the seeds that helped start Cuban tobacco plantations were shipped from here. Also, you should know, that they call cigars tobacco. They do not use the word cigar.
So, we hop in a cab and head for Piedacuesta. Little more that a half hour later and a 180,000 peso cab ride(yes a little less than $8.00). We pull up up this nondescript doorway in the middle of a roll of connected buildings. In fact, the block was one long front wall. It has an emblem that says it it the Brevas tobacco company. we go in and meet the daughter and son in law of the of the Brevas owner. They have a little display case, and you can look in the back and see the small factory. We both ordered a box of Robustos and a 4-pack of Churchills. They had Robby's order, but had to make up mine. So, as the girl was getting my order ready we walked through the small factory. There were about 8 people working in the factory. 3 women rolling cigars by hand, 2 men butting the bands on the c1gars, 1 woman tying the cigars into bundles, and a guy in the back grinding up the excess leaf into pipe tobacco. It was cool to watch them at work. The women rolling the cigars would be sitting an chatting to each other while rolling the cigars and cutting the excess with these big blades. And the guys putting on the bands gave us a show, by putting the bands on standing, sitting down, through their legs, and behind their back. SOOOOOOO COOOOOOOL!!.
After our self guided tour, we watched as the daughter rolled each of my cigars with a plastic wrapper to keep it fresher. Then she hand built the boxes for the cigars, packed them and cellophane wrapped them. Talk about fresh from the factory. While she was finishing up, the son in law gave us a Robusto to smoke. Tasty, packed just right with a smooth draw. We finally got our cigars,paid for them and headed back to town. When we got outside, we found our taxi driver. He had waited outside for us, so we did not have to call a taxi to get back home.
Later we found out that there are at least 4 other cigar factories in Piedracuesta, and we intend to visit all of them.
Finally, if you want to see all the pictures go to my picasa page and look for the Piedrcuesta - Brevas pictures.
Paste this to get there:
http://picasaweb.google.com/nbbeachteacher/PiedracuestraBrevasCigarFactory#
Chow, John

Monday, October 13, 2008

Ok, my first story - getting lost in Bucaramanga, and the vultures


Well, I decide I had to get out on my own. I have been a little apprehensive about this. But, I realized I had to do it. I walked over to the local bus stop and waited for a #27 bus. This bus takes you to the center of Bucaramanga, where the Mercado Central is located. It is a four story building square block of commerce. The 1st floor is full of veggie stands, the 2nd floor is fruit, the 3rd is eggs, meat and fish, and the fourth is restaurants, shoes and clothing stalls. This building is surrounded on all with streets of vendors selling everything imaginable. It is like the Orange County, Orange Coast College, and Golden West College wrapped up in to one. And, then injected with steriods. The first time I went with my roommate Sterling the first time, and he said, "I finally feel like I am in a third world country."
So, back to the story. I get on a #27 bus, and start my journey. However, 2 stops down the line the bus drive decided to change his bus route from #27 to #22. Not knowing, I thought that #22 would still be close to where #27 goes, Wrong! After about a half hour I realize that I am on the opposite side of Bucramanga and lost. So, I get off the bus and start cruising down the street the way I came.
After a few minutes I spot some veggies and fruits stands, so I go over to buy some stuff. After talking to some locals, I find out that this is the market for this area. There is a single story building full of stalls down the street. SO, I decide to take advantage and buy some more goodies.
As I walk down I notice that there is a fish monger on the corner across from the entrance to the building. It is around 12:30-1:pm, this is the time when stalls and vendors start closing shop. So, this fish monger is running a lottery for selections of fish. I sit and watch and am amazed at the sight. Then I turn and head towards the building, and I am stopped in my tracks. Above the entrance are about 8 to 10 big, and I mean big vultures. They are stareing at the fish, food and people. First, I get a creepy feeling, then I realize that nobody even acknowledges that they are there. As the fish monger takes down a bunch of fish and adds a new bunch, their heads start bobbing. All I could thing of was old disney movies like, Songs of the South, Dumbo, and jungle book. I started laughing and people started stareing, so I hussled myself into the building. But, I will never forget those vultures. I hope I can find my way back there to get a picture to post.
Side note: It took me an hour and a half, lugging my friuts and veggies. But I finally found a bus and got home. All in all it way a successful first foray. It was good to get lost and find my way back.
PSS- the Colombian people I met on this trip were smiling, friendly and helpful. NOT WHAT TV AND MOVIES TELL YOU THEY ARE LIKE!

More info bout my life in Colombia


I guess this economic quagmire has really messed up everybody. I think I came down at just the right time. Everything was cutting into my salary back in Socal. I am actually living better, and saving money. It costs me around 220,000.00 COP (about $105.00 a week to live here). So, around 900,000.00 COP a month(around $450.00-475.00). They pay me 1,650,000.00 COP, so I save 750,000.00 COP a month (around $325.00-350.00).
What else can I tell you, OH! I started physical therapy, Yeah! Right now it costs me 18,000 COP ($8.75) for and hour and half session. First, I get a half hour deep tissue massage on either my legs or my back, then ice and heat (backward from the way the do it in the states), electric stem, and the stretching and excercises. Between that and all the walking and climbing(up five flighte to my house), I do feel like I am getting stronger. However, the numbness down the outside of my right leg still has not gone away. But, my little Colombian therapist is working on it.
OH!, Someone asked me about TV, liquor, women, and food down here so I will add this to give you some more to read.
Yes they have regular TV, however, some of it is dubbed in Spanish and some is not. I watched House, Eli Stone, and Scrubs in English. Also they play reruns of 2 and a half men and friends every night, go figure? We don't get any college or Sunday football games. But, we get Sunday and Monday night football, dubbed in Spanish. I'm living off downloading off the torrents to stay current on my shows.
The national beer is Aguila, which means eagle. It's not bad and only 55 cents a bottle (1,100 COP). That's in most bars and resturants. It's the same price in the stores and most bars. The higer end beer is Gran Colombian, which is a heavier more hoppy beer. It goes for $1.00-1.50. It was this years(2008) best beer in the world award in Belgium. The liquor that is king here is aquadiente crystal. It's a little like vodka, but thicker and a little sweeter. But, tequlia and vodka flow here also.
There are a lot of good looking girls here. If you hang out at one of the local outdoor bars you will see some awesome Colombian women. Funny thing, unlike American women get mad if you look at their boobs sticking out of their lowcut tops, or their asses crammed into sprayed on hip hugger jean. Colombian women get a little miffed if you don't look. They see you stare and smile back and sometimes even put on a little show for you by leaning forward or swaying a little more.
Finally as for food they have beef and chicken all over the place. A carne asada steak or leg and thigh of chicken, veggies, rice and fruit juice cost 5,000 COP ($2.50), and a big steak with all the trimmings is around $10.00. They don't have drive thru's, everything is sit down or take out. The big chain here is a roasted chicken store called Jarro's. You can get pizza (not bad, but no deep dish), and other types of Italian food, Thai food, home made tamales, and the local favorite clavo (goat), which is yummy. However, except for local fare(clavo) the food is fair to above average. But, the ice cream is to die for. I know this sounds like I eat a lot, but I walk a hell of a lot also. And, between the operation (dropped 30 pounds) and living down here (another 15 pounds), I now weight 195 pounds, and the doctor that checked me out for my school health plan says that I should lose 15 more pounds. I know the less I weight the better it is for my back and my health, but I don't know about losing any more weight, because I have less energy. Well see!

Intial information on Colombia


Some of you may already have seen this stuff in my emails, so just skim and read:
Things are starting to settle down here. Did not teach the 1st week and started teaching this last week. Wow! What a difference! I have the "really bad 10th graders". The funny thing is that the 2 "really bad" 10th grade classes I have would be my best classes at Cabrillo or Renaissance. For one thing there are only 25 and 27 in the classes and they act like 8th or 9th graders. The teacher that I took over for had zero class discipline skills, and they treated her like shit because she was a Colombian teacher (remember these kids are well off and see Colombian teachers as below them). I heard they were a little bit scared of me, So, I came out with a brand new syllabus with new rules and consequences. I put the screws to them right away. I think they are pretty good kids, they just need some disicipline as they don't get it at home (the old parents give them everything routine).
Anyway, my home is nice (5th story penthouse), I share it with a 27 year old horn dog. David (from Chicago) is a lady's man who loves to go out, drink, chase women. My other roommate is Sterling (from San Diego), who is quiet and waiting for his girlfriend from Japan to move over here in November. I guess there plan is to move out into a one bedroom in January. The big problem is that there is no elevators, so I have to climb or go down 5 flights if I want to go someplace. But, I am getting exercise that way. The great thing is that I am only a 10-12 walk from school, the mall (with 2 stores like mini super walmarts, they have food, clothes, electronic, etc.), and an area of restaurants. Meals are pretty cheap. Yesterday, I had a steak, rice, veggies, plantains, and all the yummy fresh juice I could drink for 5,000 COP, that is about $2.35. Well, I going down to the pool to exercise and hang out. Talk to you soon,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,John

Explaining my blog


My first blog is in honor of a friend of mine, Wallace Russell. That is why I named the site where you can find this blog on, infinitekarma. I feel that this is the way he lives and some of it has rubbed off on me. People told me that I was crazy moving to Colombia. But, with my talks with Russell (who never said go or stay, he just talked), I made my choice. Then, I had a my dear friend, Glenda read my cards. I felt the karma pull me. So, here I am living proof of the idea of possibility and living outside the box. This blog is going to be about that concept. I will give you information about what it is like here. However, its all about the stories, some happy, some sad, some funny and some that are stupid. But, all will be true. So, sit back and enjoy my Mr. Toads Wild Ride, of my life in Bucaramanga. Colombia and beyond.