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Returning to Colombia - Advise

Hello folks

My name is Ari, I'm a 23-years-old Colombian fellow living in Tel Aviv, I've been living in between the Middle East and Western Europe for the last ten years. I've had a great time, completed my studies in Philosophy and did a lot of travelling, work, etc. but now I feel like it's time to return to my country even if for sometime... I got a scholarship to go for graduate school in Spain from October 2008 and now I'm just burning time in Israel which I might as well do in Colombia where it will cost me ten times less! I don't know at all what's going on in Colombia, I'm from Bogota (such a beautiful place!!!)... even though my Spanish is already a bit scanty, international schools in Bogota, then 10 years abroad and one foreign parent, etc, I never truly managed to feel anything like Israeli or Austrian, and although I don't feel entirely Colombian it's somewhat important for me to be there... I've been listening from the youtube to all kinds of old songs that my mother used to love and it made me very melancholy. Maybe I'm just about to make such a great mistake, I don't know, but I can't wait to land in Colombia! It might be from a few weeks to something like two months or so. Last night I listened to a concert of "Ana y Jaime" which I remembered from the age of 10, I listened to it with a Colombian friend as we drank aguardiente and spoke of our own reminiscences... ah! I really can't wait to come back. My parents thought it would be the best for me to grow up around here, since I'm Jewish (also meaning safer) but I don't know, I just want to come back, at least for half a year or so. I don't know what you guys would think, am I just totally lost and lunatic of sorts? Any experiences to share about people returning to Colombia?

By sanktgallener on Oct 21, 2007, 05:27 in Friendly Talkzone.

Wastelandlive says on Oct 21, 2007, 07:34:

What is it you are asking, exactly? Is it crazy to go to Colombia? Of course not. You live in Israel, for crying out loud. What are you worried about... physical security?

Do you need somebody to tell you you SHOULD go back? It's your life... what does your heart tell you to do?

I'll give you my perspective: Colombia is a beautiful, tragic nation. Colombia desperately needs intelligent, educated, talented people. Above all, Colombia needs people with integrity.

Now I'm not a flag waving nationalist. I'm not going to tell you that you need to live your life for a nations benefit... but it has been my experience that the happiest people that I know live for something beyond themselves. Conversely, most people live only for themselves, which is why most people are miserable.

You might go and get to know your homeland. You might find yourself asking not whether it's good for you, but whether you could contribute something good to it...

Just a thought.

Wasteland

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Rob77 says on Oct 21, 2007, 07:37:

Wastelandlive, "ask not what your country can do for you, . . . "?

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

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bufalo says on Oct 21, 2007, 08:20:

Sounds like you studied too much philosophy by your questioning to me. You want to come back, come back, what's the problem.

Maybe you are a lunatic, but it has nothing to do with your trip I imagine.

I'd do anything to study in Spain, that's great.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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jmendelson says on Oct 21, 2007, 09:07:

Ari, as an American Jew that lived in Colombia for a few months this year, and have also spent a few months in Isreal, Bogota is a great place to go and have a great time. It is hard to keep kosher (if you do) but there is a beautiful and growing Jewish community with more than a handfull of Israeli's that keep a strong knit of there own. Just remember you have to have basically the same street smarts as you would in Tel Aviv less the flash, and be respectful of the culture and you will have a blast!

jmendelson

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Carlotica says on Oct 22, 2007, 08:54:

"but it has been my experience that the happiest people that I know live for something beyond themselves. Conversely, most people live only for themselves, which is why most people are miserable." well said wasteland. I agreed!

Salsera!!!... de por vida =>

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pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2007, 14:31:

You're going to have a great time.

I trust you're going to get in touch with family, even distant relatives. They'll get a kick out of seeing you.

que nota!

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john_stark says on Oct 22, 2007, 16:52:

You're a Colombian. You belong in Colombia.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2007, 17:03:

Do Paisas belong in la Costa? How about Norwegians in the US? How about Irish in Texas?

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vicshere says on Oct 22, 2007, 19:36:

if your a Colombian I would be worried about your Colombian military service due ...as you know you should (by law )be entering Colombia on your Colombian passport...they could and most probably would hold you at the airport and send you off to military boot camp

listo

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 23, 2007, 11:25:

He can pay for his libreta and be done with it. No need to pay military service.

Go to Colombia, enjoy the good times and even the bad ones because you'll remember them fondly for years to come.

Diana
P.S. You're still a Colombian for LIFE!!!! =D

Diana

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edgzun says on Nov 25, 2007, 22:14:

Ari:

You should totally go back to Colombia--at least to visit. You owe it to yourself. Y volverá a mejorar su español!
Colombia has become a lot safer and it's really not more dangerous than Israel. Israel has its bomb scares and Colombia has more kidnappings but the kidnappings have gone down dramatically. Petty crime is a problem, though probably more than in Israel from what I hear. I haven't been there but I know it's a "safe" country if you don't include all the bombings.
Anyway, Colombia is the best and this is a great time for you to go. Many Jews have returned to Colombia as well and the Jewish community is thriving. You said you're from Bogotá. As you probably already know, there are synagogues, a Jewish community center, school, places to buy Kosher and even an Israeli restaurant that I know of.
Go back and visit at least--you'll love it!

Visite Colombia!

!!! מזל טוב בקולומביה

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