PBH / Colombia / Start Forums▼ (active) Travelguide Cheap hostels Pictures

Seeking my Past

Hi! I am a 36 year old who was taken from Colombia due to its political situation 31 years ago. I was taken to Australia by my parents and here I have become an Economist specialising in Commodity trading in particular Currency and energy.

however, I am empty in that I want to find, relive and embrace my paisa roots! i was born in Medellin. I speak Spanish fluently and am now planning a trip back there.

I am concerned about safety, not knowing people and most importantly not fitting in. I am now the physical embodiment of a colombia which does not exist, my Colombia is one of stories from my parents and I want to find out the real one. I want to hear from people in Medellin, get to know some of them now and meet them next July! I want to know about how you feel about the country, what you do and more importantly am I just a romantic in simply believing that even though I have had no exposure to the country ( I got here when I was 5) that there is something inside me which is empty. I need to go back and see what is missing?

Where do I go in medellin. More importantly what is it like. The people, The atmosphere?

In short,I want to know what what just 5 minutes in Colombia feels like..I have the name, the race, the language but absolutely no memories.. A total emigre's Curse.

Can someone confirm my decision to go back home, albeit frightened!

By Naus on Nov 18, 2004, 19:32 in Friendly Talkzone.

Chuck says on Nov 18, 2004, 22:36:

A sad story! And what about the rest of your family? No one in Medellín?

I don't know what you've been told, but you are a paisa and that's great. You may feel proud. The rest of colombia hate us a little because we are hard workers, a little aggressive and to proud of ourselves.

Come visit Medellin and our surroundings, don't miss:

Basilica Metropolitana, Museo de Antioquia (Botero), a Tipico dish at Mondongos Restaurant, Aguardiente at Pueblito Paisa, Sabaleta fish at Manhatan Restaurant, Santa Fe de Antioquia town, Vuelta a Oriente car ride with Arepa de Chocolo con quesito, El Peñol rock, Jardin town, Templo Antonia's friday night, Parque LLeras, Metro ride, A Salpicon with helado, hey!! I need a little help here... somebody elses turn!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Nov 18, 2004, 23:37:

Hmm...5 minutes in Colombia Everytime I arrive, a salsa and vallenato rhythm starts playing in my head! Get ready for sensory overload, and one hell of a homecoming!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 19, 2004, 12:17:

Knowing the language is a big help You're partway there with the language. I'm Canadian-born of part Colombian heritage and I am so thankful of the hard work my parents did to ensure that I picked up spanish. While I am a step further removed than you, I really think that being fluent in Spanish is a significant part towards understanding Colombia. You can communicate 100%. I know kids in the same situation as me, who can't get past "Que hubo" and "Mi nombre es". Also, if your relatives are there they will help ease your transition.

I think that the important part of seeing the beauty and wonder of Colombia is being able to forget the view that you have of it from 1) Living away, and 2) your parents. It's antiquated or wrong. Trust me.

If you are looking for an identity, my personal observation (again a step further removed as I was born away) has been that you will find part of one, but be prepared to accept your Aussiness as just a great a part of who you are, if not more.

I wonder what sort of difference it makes to one, being ___insert_a_dif_nation____ of Colombian heritage, or Colombian but grown up in ____inser_a_dif_nation______.

I'm _________ but accept Colombian identity as an add-on, I can't imagine trying to live with a Colombian identity but not knowing about it really, and having _________ as the cultural add-on.

I have a friend (ethnic chinese) who was born in Malaysia but grew up in Oz, he ID's as Aussie with Malasian/Chinese add on, but I don't know how he came to that (if it just was or something he fell into after visiting Malaysia after 25 years away).

0 funny, 0 helpful.

JuanitaenSydney says on Nov 19, 2004, 18:22:

Embrace your roots. Naus,

I'm also a Colombian living in Australia. I also have paisa heritage from my mum's side of the family. My family moved to Australia when I was 11 yeards old and now I'm 25. I have been lucky to spend a decent amount of time in both countries during my teenage years. In many occasions I have also felt empty because I feel I don't belong here or there. I love Colombia but I also Love Australia its people, its life style. And I can tell you that we are very lucky.

I suggest you go to Colombia and find out what things are really like.
Leave all you pre-conceptions aside and go there open minded.
It is going to be a facinating experience.

Juanita

0 funny, 0 helpful.