Colombia, que hermoso! :)

This has been the “anthem” of Paula during our trip to the coffee region this past long weekend here in Colombia.

I arrived on June 2^nd after being stuck in Ft. Lauderdale as the plane was delayed for 24 hours(?).The altitude is around 2500 meters in Bogota so the first two weeks have been like walking in the air. I have my own little house which is 20 min away from work on foot- although the cabs are incredibly cheap over here, you want to avoid them because of the traffic & the way they drive (loco!).

Unless I open my mouth people could believe that I am Colombian but we had some quite “lost in translation” moments when I had to- until I recalled my Spanish skills out of survival instincts: when I had too much wine, did grocery shopping on my own & ran upstairs in a building when faced w dogs just to run into the security guy asking me what I was doing.

It is very interesting indeed to listen from the Colombian friends how things were in the past and how they have changed and become much safer within the last 10 years as well. still a lot to learn..

I am working for Consejo Privado de Competitividad in Bogota on cluster development & transport corridors for the related part in the annual competitiveness report. It is interesting indeed but I came to realize that this MPAID summer internship is also a way to understand what you do not want to do after the program& to reshape your expectations.

The picture is from the national coffee park close to the city of Armenia, taken on a tiny box-like cable car which takes you from one end of the park to the other. such a gorgeous place..

Kareen and Andres, it’s a pity that you are using the public transport but I must admit that it is quite amusing to imagine you in one :D I hope you are enjoying positive “national externalities” as much as you are standing the negative ones ;)

Saludos de Bogota!