Member-only story
I am going on vacation, Ciao Colombia, for now
Do nomads get vacations?
About an hour ago, depending on the city, I was in Éxito, Colombia’s version of Target or Walmart. The one in the center of Bogotá is more of a grocery store.
Today as I pack up my life and head to the other side of the world to an unfamiliar place, the Middle East. In particular, I am headed to Israel.
I promised my sister a bag of Juan Valdez coffee; I will meet her in Jerusalem in about a week, plus a few other things I needed before leaving in a few hours.
A little old Colombian man started talking to me as I picked up the coffee. Naturally, he begins with a compliment. After all, I am in Colombia, and they are charmers. He tells me I have beautiful eyes and starts asking about being in Colombia.
I explain that I have lived here for two years but am leaving in about an hour. He tells me he is visiting his children in the US in July and then asks if I plan to return to Colombia.
I said yes, but unsure when most likely it would be in the fall, but not back to Bogotá. He asks me if I am single and then tells me to marry him, and when I come back, we will go out for coffee.
He was sweet and probably old enough to be my grandfather; he kissed my hand about five times before…
