Colombian Flowers

When you fly into Bogota, you see miles and miles of greenhouses, which are filled with flowers. Colombia is the second largest flower exporter in the world. Sixty percent of all flowers sold in the US are from Colombia, and US citizens spend $18 billion per year on flowers.*

Of course, along with flower production comes labor rights violations, issues related to pesticide use, health problems, long work hours, and lack of permanent employment for flower workers. There is a movement here to improve working conditions and stop the exploitation of workers in the flower industry.

We have enjoyed looking at the flowers, both in the wild, at the Arboretum, and at the market. Of course here they are incredibly cheap. One friend who was married here told us she had bountiful flowers at her wedding and it cost her $20.

So, next time you buy flowers in the US, think about the Colombian workers here that grew them, and also the color that these flowers add to an otherwise pretty grey and dreary life here in Colombia. Say a prayer of gratitude that we have the sight to see this beauty amidst such poverty and desperate work life situations.

(statistics and other scenarios on this post come from the Witness for Peace Fact Sheet on flowers. For more info, visit www.witnessforpeace.org)

Some of these pictures were taken by Lydia and Abby when they went to the Arboretum with their babysitter Paula.

To market, to market

I have enjoyed my two trips to the large market with my friend Jana, who helps we bargain and understand pricing. There are fresh flowers, herbs, veggies, fruit, dairy products, meat, etc, etc. The last time the girls went with me and we walked around with hot chocolate and freshly-baked “Pan-bono.”

What is getting us through

Blueberry tea from home. Vitamins from Grandpa (thank you!). Peanut butter honey toast. Clean water to drink. Drinkable yogurt.

Time for School

The kids are going to a really nice school here in Bogota. The teachers are genuinely concerned about each child and they have a terrific support team of teacher consultants, psychologists, and other staff. The school is about 600 students, K-12 and is up on a big hill in the northern part of Bogota. The biggest hurdle has been the bus ride, which is long, bumpy, and way rougher than “typical” traffic in the U.S.






Lydia likes that it feels “old fashioned.” They each have small classes, and are learning the cultural norms of standing whenever a teacher enters the room, always saying hello or goodbye to anyone who comes into their presence, and using as perfect handwriting as possible. The schedule is based on a six day rotating block.





Lydia’s schedule looks like this:

Day 1:
Homeroom (talk about current affairs, problem-solving, values, etc.)
P.E.
Geometry
Sociology
English (Spanish)
Math
Lunch
English (Spanish)
Computers

Day 2:
Homeroom
Music
English (Spanish)
Social Studies
Math
Sociology
Lunch
Science

Day 3:
Homeroom
Geometry
Sociology
Dance
English (Spanish)
Civics
Lunch
Spanish

Day 4:
Homeroom
Theatre
Math
Spanish
Faith (Catholic, but they say they welcome all)
Sociology
Lunch
Art

Day 5:
Homeroom
P.E.
Science
Music
Spanish
Lunch
Computers
English (Spanish)

Day 6:
Homeroom
Faith
Social Studies
Math
Chess
Spanish
Lunch
Science
English (Spanish)

Andy loves that there is lots of time for soccer (two 45 minute recesses plus a long lunch break), that “you feel like you are outside all the time (notice the hallways)”, and the kids are really nice. He also liked that you got to make your own nametag and choose where you want to sit.





Abby likes her little playground and computer lab. She likes her teacher and having Coke for a snack.





Each of their teachers speaks enough English to help them along, and they have been partnered with a “buddy” who has pretty good English as well. Four of their classes are in English (Math, English, Science, and Social Studies) and the rest are in Spanish. The whole school works on “cooperation, responsibility, and the development of the whole child.” The campus is very beautiful, with gorgeous flowers and luscious green space. On Fridays they stop classes early for “specials” which can include Karate, Horse-riding, Guitar, Home Economics, Volleyball, Basketball, or additional Dance, Art, or Music.

While there is not an opportunity for large group music ensembles, there are some unique things like their cute little chess workbooks and their fun “houses” that they are sorted into (like Harry Potter). All of our kids are in the Pegasus house, which means that throughout the year they work on special projects and games together.

Our first soccer game

Andy and I went to our first Colombian professional soccer game along with other MCCers last Saturday. We watched one of the three first division Bogota teams, Santa Fe, defeat the team from Medellin. It was a great experience being in the stadium (maybe about 2/3 full).

There was constant singing, jumping up and down, drums, and yelling of obscenities at the opposing team and officials. We were instructed by some trusted friends to pay a bit more for our tickets and sit in a section away from the super fans.
I was very impressed with the level and style of play. We saw three incredible goals and plenty of cards. Andy LOVED it! The best part is that it costs Andy and I about $17 to get in. He is only $2.50.

Our Apartment

Well, I can’t say I have lived anywhere like this before! Our apartment is in a large complex near a very busy intersection. There is some significant construction going on at one end of our building and on several of the streets near us. So, it can easily feel like we are living in the middle of a renovation area.
Our apartment itself is pretty nice. We have a small kitchen, open to a dining/living area down stairs, along with a bathroom. Upstairs we have three small bedrooms and two bathrooms, both with showers. We have hot water, which was unexpected, a new washing machine (no dryer, which is normal here), and a cute little, new fridge.
We are about a 25-minute walk from work, church, and the national soccer stadium. I can make it (on foot) to a large grocery store, buy groceries, and be back home in one hour. Also, connected to our building, on the same side as our entrance at street level, are several stores: place for haircuts and manicures, internet café and photocopies, minimarket, and small bakery. It is easy to get a taxi at the corner and a transmilenio (public transit) station is very close.

(M1,2,3)

Making a home...

One easily forgets what it takes to physically create a home. Add to it, lack of directions, language barriers, unfamiliar transportation, anxious spouse and kids, and little free time and you have a pretty interesting situation.
When we arrived at our apartment we were thankful for made beds, a roll of toilet paper and a little breakfast food. After a trip to the grocery store with our Country Rep, we were ready for another day or two.
The last week, between orientation events and trips to the kids’ school, I have made several trips to different department stores, sometimes walking and carrying and sometimes in a taxi. Dish rags, paper towels, food, glasses, cutting board, water pitcher, trash cans, something to light the stove with and we still create a list each day.
It can be pretty exhausting to go out almost each day to find things with which to make a home. At the same time, it has proven to be a great way to get to know the city and create a sense of direction.