A Letter from Colombia

Hello All!

Please read this letter from me to you and try to answer the true or false questions below. There is one phrase at the end of the letter that I'd like you to try to explain...is it really to do with meat?

Take care!

Caroline Devane

Caroline in Colombia

Two weeks ago I arrived in Colombia and am so excited to be spending some time here. It's my first time in South America and I'm overwhelmed by all the new sights, smells and tastes; some good, some not so good! The first traditional food I tried here is called 'tamal'. It's a mixture of peas, meat (chicken and pork), potato and carrots cooked inside the leaves of a plant. It was interesting....but not my favourite! I have a new found love for a type of bread called 'almojabana' which you can dip in hot chocolate. Ok now I need to stop talking about the food I'm getting hungry.

I've already been to lots of places, including the old district of 'Candelaria', lots of museums and restaurants and a beautiful underground church. However there’s still loads to do and I think I will make a list soon so I make sure I do everything I can while I'm here.

I think the best thing about travelling is the people you meet and the things you learn about different cultures. So far, I have found, just as I expected, that Colombian people are some of the most friendly and smiley on the planet. People often talk about the country in a negative way, but I really recommend you visit if you haven't already. There is so much to see and so many stories to discover for yourself! In Bogota I feel quite safe and think just like lots of other major cities, you need to be careful and aware.

I'm hoping to take some Spanish classes in the next few weeks: if only they were offered by EC. I really want to become fluent in another language, as I have mentioned before and think this will be easier here than in European Spanish speaking countries; simply due to the fact that most people don't speak any English, or are extremely happy to help you practise their language, even if you butcher it!

Now decide if these statements are true or false:

• 1. Caroline has been in Colombia for more than three weeks.
  
  True
  False
  
  
• 2. She hasn't been to South America before.
  
  False
  True
  
  
• 3. She thinks she has seen everything she wants to and is ready to return to England.
  
  True
  False
  
  
• 4. She hasn't met any Colombians, only other tourists.
  
  False
  True
  
  
• 5. She thinks that safety should always be a priority when you're travelling.
  
  True
  False
  
  
• 6. She hopes to learn some Portuguese while she is visiting.
  
  False
  True