Home » Colombia » FARC off.

Woah, what a title! So many different levels! What? Have I been abducted? No, I just thought, you know... sometimes along comes something that's pithy, terse and succinct, and that's too damn good not to use. Oh come on! You'd have done the same. Anyway, it's better than this entry's working title "Colombia, Backpack, Graham". Hmmm, is it too late to start again?

FARC off.

Graham Perkins
2006-08-21 12:41:33

Displayed times (last time: ) Rating 5/5

Rating: 5.00 out of 5.00. 1 members have rated this article

Woah, what a title! So many different levels! What? Have I been abducted? No, I just thought, you know... sometimes along comes something that's pithy, terse and succinct, and that's too damn good not to use. Oh come on! You'd have done the same. Anyway, it's better than this entry's working title "Colombia, Backpack, Graham". Hmmm, is it too late to start again?

Colombia! Crash! Backpack! Bang! Graham! Wallop! No, wait... too much explosive energy in the first six words methinks. This entry's in danger of climaxing too soon. Peaks and troughs, dear boy, that's what people want... OK, one last try...

On 17th June 2006, my mother's dreams came true when her little boy grabbed a rucksack and went for a stroll around Colombia. Oh, you should have seen her face when I told her I was going; it was an absolute picture. The way those lived-in little features of hers crinkled up around those rolling tears, that's something that'll stay with me for years to come. The truth was, it didn't matter how much of a fuss she made, I'm afraid I simply wasn't prepared not to come. I'd had a few evening classes before leaving England
to try and give myself a grounding in Spanish and ever since getting to know my teacher I was desperate to come here and get to know the people. She was like the Colombian version of my mum (minus the tears, obviously). Every bit as lovely, and full of Latin spirit. Having sacked off my plans to come here down the Brazilian rainforest, this makes Colombia my final destination before my fast-approaching departure from these shores.

And this place continues to exceed my expectations. From the second I touched down in Bogotá even the thought alone that I'm here is enough to make me smile. Smile at the fact I've finally arrived, smile at the fact that so many things here are beautiful and lovely and, if I'm being honest, ...