I'm all packed and even have a day spare in case I need to add something into my backpack. YES, I have some empty space in my backpack, for once! I have opted for JP's bag with wheels as my hand luggage to fit in all the presents. :) So, today, after writing this entry, I'll try and get going with my research proposal, clean, return some books to the library, go to my Masters course Christmas dinner, and...well, wait for tomorrow. I have to lug my bags with me to tomorrow morning's lecture, and rush off to the coach a bit early. Ahhhh...Can't wait to be in Barcelona again. Don't get me wrong - I've been happy enough in the UK so far but...ah...just can't wait to get away!
I've been waiting for this trip pretty much ever since I met JP, so just over 2 years now. I remember a time when we used to start pretty much every conversation with "In Finland..." and "In Colombia..." and proceed to explain how things were in our respective countries. Since then, JP has been to Finland, so he has something of an idea what it's like there (although he is yet to experience Finnish winter...buahahahahaaa...). I've met a good part of his family and a few of his Bogotano friends on their visits to Spain. But now it's finally my chance to see the country he can't stop talking about (in the best sense of the expression), experience a bit of what it's like to live there, meet the rest of his family and his friends, and learn more not only about Colombia, but also about myself and most importantly about the man I love. I think the trip will be a learning experience like no other(again, in the best sense of the expression). And it will of course be a wonderful holiday.
I've tried to do some background reading on Colombia but have failed pretty miserably. I've been reading David Bushnell's "Colombia - A Nation In spite of Itself" but haven't got very far (my fault, not Bushnell's) and now I have to return it to the library. I'm also toying with the idea of buying a guidebook so I can read up a little on places when I'm there, but the idea of carrying a brick of a Lonely Planet with me when I'll be accompanied by a handsome tour guide with a background in anthropology and storytelling skills that are second to none, it doesn't seem to make sense. Hmm...maybe I'll buy something from Barcelona, if just to fill up the space in my backpack.
My understanding of Colombia is largely based on what JP has told me, the books I've tried to read, and the conversations I've had with Colombian friends. The closest I have been to Colombia is Mexico, and so in my mind Colombia is, to put it very crudely, Mexico with more mountains, rainforests and fruit I have never heard of before. Some of the things that I hope to see and experience include:
-The crazy traffic on La Septima in Bogota
-La Candelaria district in Bogota
-Trying lulo juice, tinto (black coffee), bread from JP's local bakery, amazing mangoes 10 times the size of the ones I'm used to, dried ants, bocadillo (really bad at explaining this one so I won't even try), yage (okay, maybe not this time), drinking aguardiente (literal translation: "burning water"), a very strong alcoholic drink which I've actually already tried but never in Colombia
-Breathing in the Andes air (and probably running out of breath!)
-Colombian art and handicrafts
-Colombian music (especially vallenato!)
-Playing Robaregalos with JP's family at Christmas (like Secret Santa but you can "rob" the other person of their present)
-Witnessing the general mayhem of a Colombian family reunion
-Going up and down winding mountain roads
-The beach
-Tairona National Park and La Guajira (if we can go to both)
-Listening to JP and his brother's banter
-Sleeping in a hammock
-Doing a lot of peoplewatching (possibly also known as staring)
-Seeing JP with his family and friends
And many more...
