291 - Short Anniversaries

So, yesterday (Monday) and today were two recent anniversaries of mine.  One of them is a good one and one of them is a not so good one.

Monday marks 2 weeks that I have been running on a regular basis!  I have always been the person that "runs" and will run once every couple of months.  But, never enough to accomplish anything or to actually be worth the exercise.

One of the ex-pats that is living here in Barranquilla is a marathon runner (*gulp*) and she mentioned that she has run quite a bit since getting to Barranquilla.  So, I thought that it would be fun to join her sometime and see how that was.  Well... I absolutely wont be running any marathons ANY time soon.  But, the two of us have been running with another person and I really enjoy the company, I enjoy that they push me farther and harder than I ever thought I would be able to actually be able to run.  They are really encouraging and helpful and full of tips and advice.  I really enjoy them.  We usually run together 2 evenings a week, and then I will go on my own 4 days a week.

So here are some things about running in Barranquilla:

1.  It is HOT!  Oh my goodness is it hot here.  It is regularly in the mid-90's here everyday.  But, not only that, the humidity is generally well up in the 60-70% if not more.  So, it is a really wet, hot, sticky HOT, hot.  I almost always go running in the evening (around 8:00 or so) and even then it is still pretty hot and humid.  The heat is kind of a motivation though, you create your own wind, and you almost don't want to stop running because as soon as you do you lose the breeze that you previously had!

2.  The roads and sidewalks aren't quite as nice as they are in North America.  They aren't horrible, but there are random obstacles, such as super high sidewalks (because of the flash floods, or arroyos), there are sometimes cracks, and also street venders and the notoriously slow walking people of the city.  I am and always have been a power walker.  This is something that I just can not get used to unfortunately.

3.  Flash floods/Arroyos.  The first Saturday that I went running alone there were some darkish clouds, but there are often clouds so I didn't think anything of it.  Well... needless to say, I made it for about 15 minutes before there was an absolute DOWNPOUR!  I had to walk all the way back to my apartment (I couldn't home run because a lot of the sidewalks here are made with tile, so as soon as there is even the tiniest bit of water they are ridiculously slippery).  It was about a 10 minute walk home and in that time there was already a miniature arroyo on my street.  It is crazy, and kind of scary.

So, that is the good, or exciting anniversary that I wanted to share with everyone!  It is something that I have been really excited about.  It feels nice to be active.

The sadder one is that 4 weeks ago today I was pick pocketed on the bus on my way to the school where I volunteer.  I was really disappointed because they got my iPod.  I used that stupid thing for just about EVERYTHING!  I had so many helpful apps and dictionaries and games and so many things.  I used it to talk to friends and family and to also keep a schedule and for my alarm clock.  Just everything.  It has been a big adjustment getting used to not having it.

It really was my own fault that I lost it.  I absolutely never carry it with me while on the bus, and very rarely while outside of my apartment.  But, after 8 1/2 months of never having anything happen, I thought that it would be fine to take it and with me so that I could listen to a podcast that I had downloaded, while walking home.

Luckily for me, the two people who took it were VERY good at what the do, so although I knew that something was funky in the situation while I was trying to get off the bus before the bus passed my stop, I didn't realize that I was being robbed.  So I appreciate that.  However, unluckily for me, the two people robbing me were very good at what they do so they got my iPod, haha.

It has actually been a surprisingly great conversation starter!  So many people here have experienced losing their cell phones, both expensive and inexpensive, to the "ladrones or ratas."  Apparently, black market cell phones are in VERY high demand here.  Because the unemployment rate here is so high, people are desperately looking for ways to provide for their families.  So, one way to do that is to come upon a cell phone and get a pretty good deal on it from a pawn shop.  From what I hear they pay a pretty nice fee.  I was talking to a friend who was telling me that most people who are stealing and selling these phones hate what they are doing.  They never thought that they would ever do something like this, but that they lost their jobs, or are sadly unable to pay their bills.

So, in short, although I am very very sad that my iPod is gone, I have learned a very valuable lesson and I will never again carry anything, even slightly of value, on the bus.  But, I do also hope that the person who took my iPod was able to get a good deal on it to provide for their family.

Also, on a happier note!  Running is great!

280 - Seas of yellow

Today was a very important game in Colombian soccer!

Today, I learned that each region (South American being a region) only has a certain number of spots that are open for the World Cup.  So... it is really really tough to get one of those spots.  Also, since the World Cup is being held in Brazil, they get an automatic in!  Super lucky for the country that the game is being held in, not so lucky for every other country in the region who has one less spot that is open for them.

So, great news for Colombia is that they beat Paraguay 2 to 0!  Oh my goodness... let me just tell you all about what it is like when a goal is scored by the Colombian team.  First of all, even when the team that you are rooting for here gains control of the ball people are up on their feet and screaming and yelling and cheering and it is hilarious.  There were women, and possibly men, who were screaming and it sounded like they were being murdered.  I was a little afraid for a while.  So, you can just imagine what it is like when the team actually scores.  Up roar is the only word that I can think of to describe what it is like.  EVERYONE is up on their feet screaming and clapping and cheering for a good two or three minutes, if not more.  People are hugging and laughing and it is just a great site to see.

Today is actually the first day that I have ventured out of my apartment on a game day.  I have heard horror stories, so I usually just stay inside.  I went to a restaurant with some fellow ex-pats that I have recently met.  They are a great couple from Miami who are working and living in Barranquilla.  They have a 17 month old little boy and I love hanging out with them.  It has been a real blessing knowing them.  Anyway, as I was walking to meet up with them, I noticed that there were restaurants where I had NO idea there were restaurants before.  It was crazy.  They just popped up out of no where to accommodate for all of the people watching the game.  It was great.  There were people everywhere.  Also, the Colombian jersey is bright highlighter yellow and everyone is most certainly all decked out!  I think that I may have to purchase one very soon.

But yes, there are so many people out on the streets and in bars and restaurants that are all wearing yellow and it is almost overwhelming!  It is just a sea of yellow.

I also started running very recently.  That has been something that I have really enjoyed.  One of the ex-pats is a hard core runner and she let me tag along.  Hopefully she wasn't disappointed when she realized that I don't have much endurance!  I am hoping to change that though.  It has been really nice to have some activity to really look forward to.

So yes, sorry that I haven't been updating very frequently, I haven't been doing much that is blog-worthy.  The school where I volunteer has been on fall break for the last week, so my excitement of the week was when I FINALLY (after 2 months of calling and asking and asking my landlord) got my oven fixed!  Oh man, I was exciting!  I made cookies, and they were delicious.