Colombia Forum

jooks
Joined 2019
Posts: 293

5 years ago

Installment 3, end of week 1

5 years ago

Installment 3, end of week 1
The term, “third world country,” was coined in 1952 and encompassed all the countries that were not first or second world countries. It was more of a political thing than economic. The second world consisted of the commies, the first world consisted of the US, Western Europe and Japan. Nowadays, the terms first and second world countries are hardly used, and third world has taken on a different meaning. Third world countries are mostly considered developing nations. They are often considered inferior and poor.

Let me set the record straight, at least the record pertaining to Colombia and my usage of the term, “Third World.” It is not meant to have a negative connotation. While Colombia may be behind in terms in terms of technology, I argue that this is what makes the place so endearing.

Can you imagine your life without air conditioning? Yes, this is going somewhere. That was my life back in the 50s and early 60s. My family didn’t have AC, just like most other families. And we did fine. I’ll argue that our community was better off as a result, that is, for the things that really matter. People sought relief by going outside and as a result, mingled and socialized with neighbors. Everyone knew each other in my neighborhood, by face or name. Well, hey, that’s life in Medellin now. My argument goes that Colombia is what the US was in the 1950s. Family and friends dominated the culture. A much happier time.

I’m out most of the day to escape my hot apartment and get to know the city. I was isolated in Jersey City. In a previous trip to Medellin, I spent a heckuvalot more time in my cool air-conditioned hotel room. It was more comfortable and was just like home, maybe better. Now, I go bananas staying in my Medellin apartment for any length of time. It doesn’t have the creature comforts I became addicted to in the US and there’s more to do outside. So, I go out for walks constantly. I go against my nature and mingle a little. I’ve gotten to know some locals by name and chat with them after only a week. That’s a major big deal for me. And not an easy thing to do considering my lack of Spanish, but I get by with my Spanglish for now. I think there are more people that I nod hello to here after one week than I ever did in Jersey City. I’m starting to experience a life that I long sought. People in the US are more isolated. They stay home more and don’t mingle as much. While many Colombians do without iPhones and other contraptions here, they seem to be happier. I could go on, but I think I made my point.

And that is, Colombia is more friendly and hospitable than the US. I lived in my last apartment in Jersey City for 10 years. I’d pass the same people often. Most just looked the other way or had their face buried in their phone rather than make an effort to make eye contact or say hi.

This is the crux of what attracts me to Colombia, the lifestyle. People have an infinite amount of patience, something I am sorely lacking in. Bureaucracy is a way of life. Not knowing anything different, people don’t get their dander up when waiting on line seemingly forever. It’s like, what’s the rush? Life is laid back. I have a lot of adjusting to do and I look forward to it. The old world is not so bad.

Which brings me to: buenos dias, tardes, noches vs. hola. I need to bite my tongue and stop saying hola to everyone. Habits are hard to break. Hola is informal and is generally only used with people you know. No one chastises me for being informal, but it’s like wearing a label, TOURIST.

Added bonus – Medellin is an amazingly beautiful, diverse and gritty city. Like much of Latin America, buildings are colorful like out of a fairy tale. Much of the time you can see the mountains (Andes) in the background. Medellin is in a valley surrounded by mountains.

End of rant.

William Russell

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William Russell

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