Chinese tourists in Colombia

Hello guys!

I would like you to watch this fantastic video about Colombia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8hq6qMxK2M

I hope you enjoy it and perhaps you include in your future plans a new destination: Colombia.

Thank you!

"The Only Risk is Wanting to Stay"

"Colombia, the only risk is wanting to stay," that's a very famous quotation everywhere. Despite of some bad comments, Colombia is a gorgeous country with a lot of fancy places to visit. One of the best places tourists should visit and admire the unique nature is "El Eje Cafetero", where the most delicious coffee in the world grow up. El Eje Cafetero is situated close to the west cost of Colombia and is part of three "cafeteras"cities; the weather is most of the time warm, between 22 and 25 degrees. Because of that, there are many ecoturist plans to do during the year.
One good plan, is visit the famous natural cloud forest "Valle de Cocora"; this is a place where you can find the the wax palm, which is the tallest tree in the world and the national symbol in Colombia. To get there people just need to use horseback riding or jeep. People can stay in this astonishing place 2 days to enjoy the traditional Colombian food, the beautiful overview and countless cups of coffee.
Another relaxing plan is go to "Parque Nacional del Cafe," a very big and interesting place where you can discover all the process about growing coffee, meanwhile you are having fun in knowing history, walking around to see plantations of many varieties of coffee bushes and plantain, using a gondola lift, riding on the roller coaster and watching shows.
"El Eje Cafetero" is one of the traditional places to visit in Colombia and I'm completely sure that people who go there will fall in love, because Colombia more than have beautiful places is full of nice and kind people.

Dreams Can be True!

"Three Cups of Tea" teaches me that everything in life is possible if you really want. This book includes many histories about how to achieve small or big goals; these kind of stories have messages for people who think many things in life are impossible. One message that makes me think about, was in chapter 2 when Greg got lost trying to go to K2. Greg's attitude was very impressive, he did not despair and stayed quiet and patient facing the situation. Another good message has written in chapter 5, when Greg wrote 580 letters and no one of these were answered. This act represent hope and persistence, Greg was not able to write by himself the letters, however he asked someone for help and wrote and sent cards everywhere. The most important message here is that despite Greg didn't received money, he kept struggling for his goal and somehow he got money. Finally, the most important message is described in chapter 13, "Haji Ali's Lesson," I think that is the best message someone can receive. Making relationships is as significant as building project. These reasons are just some of many messages that I found in reading the book.  It makes me feel happy to know that someone is interested in one of the biggest problems around the world. Even though is a big problem, the CAI is working hard and making dreams come true. The book have many examples to follow.

"Dogs have owners, cats have staff"

              "If a dog jumps into your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer." This quotation written by Alfred North Whitehead, a famous mathematician and philosopher, makes me think about how behavior of dogs and cats are very important to define which one is the closest pet in the world and why people would rather have one than the other. First, nothing is better than arrive home after a long journey and be happily received for your pet and usually the pet which make this is a dog, rarely the cat do the same. Second, I have a cat some years ago and while my kitten was a baby he was so playful and close, after he grew up he never liked to play with people anymore. On the other hand, dogs want to play every time it doesn't matter if they are young or old. Finally, dogs the most friendly pet need people to be happy, it means they never want to be alone; for my own experience I can say that dogs always want to be people's friends, they feel happy when people play, talk and share with them everywhere. In contrast, cats are completely independent. They would rather make their own chores by themselves; it is why people never see a cat looking for its owner to take him outside or asking for playing with them, they look for people when they really need something, that's the only way when cats are close to people. As a final point in reviewing these differences, I cannot say that I hate cats because of their behavior; indeed, I know this is their normal way to be and for sure if is there any opportunity to have a cat I will be happy to have a cute kitten. However, I rather dogs because I know that dogs always want to share with people, the love people. And as a dog-lover this reason makes me conclude that dogs are the best company ever and are able to make life full of happiness.

Reward to be a President!

           

              60 years ago, nobody in Colombia had dreamed of watching a woman as a President and the reason is because my country used to have an extreme chauvinist culture. However, that negative condition has changed a lot in a positive way specially for women. I can't say that chauvinist men have been changed at all, but practices for men and women are not the same that used to be in the past. Let’s talk about some examples which explain why the culture was very extreme. Because of chauvinist men, women were not able to vote before 1954. It means that only men were able to vote and of course were able to be elected to perform high positions in public and private sector. In fact, in that time just men had ID. Another situation was that women with low and medium economic position were not accepted to study a career in a University. Only women in very high position could enter in some universities. For women without the opportunity to go to the University the only option available was finish high school. For this reason, most of these women couldn't perform any job in an office. Instead, they were available to do chores like dressmaker, nanny, homemaker, house cleaning, etc. Despite of that discrimination, women got married without any professional or technical preparation. Even if they were not legally adult. Finally, talking about specific jobs, I have a good memory about a story that my Grandma told me. Her husband (my grandpa) worked in making supplies for construction. This kind of job was rustic and manual and demanded a lot of physical job. Because of that, companies had to hire a lot of people including men and women. My grandma remember that she saw many woman working in the same way as men, carrying heavy materials and facing abuse and bad situations. Like these, there are many stories about chauvinist men in Colombia and how women were discriminated for being considered as an object. Fortunately, nowadays times have changed and it is easy to see women performing high positions and governing countries. Although, in Colombia we've never had a woman president many people (including men) are hoping to see a woman as a President. I think it would be a positive experience and an she will perform an excellent job.

A Book's Lover

Can anybody believe how reading is a completely important activity in my life especially now in Calgary? Well folks it is my obsession now. Without my family, my friends, my pet, and any full time activity, I found that reading can be one of my obsessions. Perhaps you are wondering why reading is important in my life and I'll let you know some of my reasons. When I came to Calgary, I wished to have a pet but I didn't realized that in the apartment where I'm living pets are not allowed, so it was the end of my wish and I have to replace that time with another activity. Other reason, is that the environment in Calgary is really quiet and everything is very close. It means that I don't have to spend time in transportation between my house and the places where I have to go; for this I have more time to read and focus my likes on that. Even, in the train I can read while I arrive to my final destination and this is awesome for me. Reading books, can make people escape from the routine. When I lived in Colombia I'd never had time to read any book, I confess that I always have loved reading but I never perfected my performance as a reader because of my lick of time. I probably started to read many books but hardly ever I finished one of them; maybe because most of the time I had been concentrated in my job and my other occupations. Now, I feel completely hooked on reading as a part of my dairy life; every day I have to read something to keep my mind busy. These arguments, are showing me how my life is falling in love for reading and it's providing me lots of benefits like improve my English, knew new vocabulary, be more intellectual, etc. In the future, I will try to do my best to keep the reading obsession with me, even if my occupations change.

An Unexpected Travel with Birds

        Can you imagine someone jumping from a large mountain through the sky, when it is raining and nobody can see, and you are not ready for try an extreme adventure like paragliding? Well guys, that was my experience! After this, I think extreme sports like paragliding are the most excited experience, even if you are not ready for jump from the top in a mountain. Let me tell you my story. Some friends and I decided to go to another city to visit old friends from the university; after arrived to the city we talked for a few hours about extreme experiences. Suddenly, they decided to try an unusual sport that is called paragliding. They didn't ask if anybody wants to try; they just decided that everybody had to do it. I didn't say anything because I assumed they knew that I'm always nervous so they couldn't force me to do it; nonetheless, they continued with the plan. There were at least 10 people traveling in to the mountains in a big truck. We arrived to the place (a large mountain) after two hours of being driven by a guy who had been hired just for leave us in the mountain (there was no way to return). Once we arrived, it started to rain and we couldn't see down to the mountain any more. Finally guys, there was not option for me, so with tears in my eyes I had to tried paragliding. I confess that it was not easy, but I felt free as a bird and with my life full of freedom. After all this amazing situation, I concluded that extreme sports can be dangerous due to external situations that change the real meaning of them; however, inside of your life your feelings are enjoying and having fun, transforming the extreme sports in a perfect medicine for your mind.  

Who Called the Thieves?

 

       Although most people think that developed countries are safe. There are some situations that people should review even if they are in places which look like completely safe. People should not be relied. In my home country, sometimes is easy to find people driving with windows opened and their purse sit in the passenger seat completely opened showing some money, important documents, and other valuable objects inside. In Calgary this kind of situation are normal and to be honest this is a good way to attract thieves in everywhere. Another risk condition is walking in the middle of the night. For instance, in my city young people love to go to the parties which finish around 3:00 in a.m. and then they stop or walk in everywhere instead of going home. That is the worst decision they can make; young people in general do not know what is going on during the night in the place where the parties are (public spaces), so they can not avoid risky experiences. Even in Calgary, sometimes in downtown there are some drunk people and nobody knows what can be happen, because people under alcohol effects can react in a bad way. Finally, wearing and showing expensive jewelry in dangerous places can be a scary experience. In most of the cities in South America, the downtown has become one of the most risky places and my country is not the exception. People go to buy things in downtown (people can find very cheaper things in this place than in another) and wear expensive jewelry. Perhaps, it is not the best place for wearing it because this place is singularly the thieves' home. Likewise, the same situation can be possible in Calgary. Even though, Calgary does not have the same downtown like South America, can be common that thieves are in downtown waiting for the opportunity to steal because in Calgary most of the business are in downtown, so many people work there. With these examples in mind, is very important for people to evaluate any bad situation that probably can faced in everywhere and take the correct precautions to avoid whatever possible risk situation.

Enjoying my Money

I would like to do many things if I were the richest person in the world just for a day. The first thing that I probably do is make a huge donation for people who do not have all the necessary things to live. I would like to visit these countries and share my time with all the people who live there. Second, I would like to share my money with my family and friends and make some business and investments to secure my retirement for the rest of my life. Consequently, I would like to learn all the things that I really love (because I do not want to stay at home) like: playing piano, playing squash, learning about decoration, learning about business to give financial advice, and so on . Finally, I would like to travel to Bora Bora with my family and friends and spend half of my day on the beach drinking any beverage made with coconut and eating fish. After that I would like to go the North Pole and rent a special transportation (tundra vehicles) to see the polar bears, the belugas, and at the end of the day see the aurora borealis inside a warm igloo with a big hole in the middle. In conclusion, although there are many things to do if I have a lot of money, the main important thing is share all of that I have with my family and friends.


Beluga



Polar bear

Bora Bora

A Delicious Way to Taste Colombian Flavors

In Colombia there are very famous restaurants where you can find many dishes and traditional Colombian food. One of then and my favorite place to go and enjoy the legendary Colombian flavor is call "El Corral". This restaurant does not need a lot of advertisement, in fact they use just a few billboards to show their products. Somehow, they have been recognized because they cook a very tasty and delicious fast food and in everywhere people talk about them. El Corral is very famous because people can find different kind of dishes in there. A list of their products includes: hamburgers, hot dogs, soup, corn, wraps, tacos and salads. All of these dishes are made with special ingredients from Colombia. For example, a hamburger is make with beans, egg, corn, guacamole, plantain and costenho cheese (a salty and common cheese in the Colombia'n coast). El Corral is also very attractive because they sell the most delicious french fries and meat for hamburgers in Colombia; both are made with secret and very delectable ingredients; because of that is easy to find people eating two or more packs of potatoes and hamburgers at the same time. Finally, El Corral has a really good milkshake in Bogota, they use different and exotic Colombian fruits to make milkshake, for example: guanabana with banana or mangoes with maracuya and many others combination. For all these reasons, El Corral is a very innovate place to eat different and taste the real Colombian flavor.

The Logo

Some hamburgers

Welcome to my blog everyone!

Hello everyone! Welcome to my block. My name is Vivian and I'm from Colombia, a very famous country for its coffee. I'm looking forward for improving my skills in writing and reading this semester. I want you to know that I really like Calgary, is a beautiful and peaceful city. I've been here for 5 months.
All your comments for learning new things and improving my skills are welcome. Thanks for reading and enjoy it!

The picture is a famous place in Colombia that is called "Cagno Limon". It's really beautiful!