Eh!Ave Maria...it was such a pleasant surprise when Eva had sent me an sms day before yesterday that she was visiting Bogota along with Veronica.These two TALL,BLONDE and BEAUTIFUL Slovakian girls are such a wonderful company...and I was so happy to see them again after 4 months.

I had promised them that I would take them to have the best beer at Bogota Beer Company(BBC) on their visit...and so we did Chill! :)



We were at Parque 93 watching the final 10 minutes of the football match between Colombia and USA where it was filled with crowd and loud noises after Colombia won 1-0.

Then we had been to BBC(my re-visit after almost 4 monhts...HUH!)...loved the company and of course with a couple of beers.(yellow, red and black paint)My favorite being RED...the best you could get.This place is always brimming with customers.

What a night! :)

Weekend at Medellin

Eh! Ave Maria Pues...Like I planned,had been for the weekend to Medellin.Was really nice and quick.

As soon as I reached Medellin, got in the metro and left out of the city (like 40 minutes away from Niquia metro station) to a finca for the EIA Zonalito.Came back to the city in the afternoon and was at EAFIT university.

Places visited:

1.Parque Lleras:

Tree-lined park surrounded by sidewalk cafes.Had been with Monica(and her boyfriend) of AIESEC EAFIT,Evaand Vero(Slovakian trainees)and was like Parque 93 here in Bogota but I would say Parque 93 is much better.(Sorry,I'm being honest!)

2.Metro Cable/Metro:

Eva,Vero and I took the metro to metro cable.The neighbourhood there is really poor and very bad in condition and it seems before it was horrible,were many clashes and just a small bridge which was constructed made a difference to live peacefully.Anyway,once we reached the top we wished that we could ski down jejeje...

3.Copacabana:

Small town outside the city,visited the church there,took some videos of some borachos(expression for drunk men)singing loud on the streets.

4.Centro:

Had some exotic fruit juice(Lulu)was a little shock for me as I had to drink in a weird mug(usually found in the bathrooms of India).Then visited a beautiful public Library which has got some fountains,Mayor's office(apparently it was Brothel's house before),had arepa choco con queso near Exito and watched the two birds sculptures by Botero...where one of the birds sculpture was destroyed by terrorists by placing a bomb in it and hence Botero made another one.



5.Plaza de Botero:

Watched the incredible statues(most of them naked)and one of them was of a warrior with golden penis and I was told by Eva that it would bring some luck if I touch it.Followed...let's see what's it gonna bring to me.

6.Parque Pies Descalzo(Park of Bare Feet):

The Park features a Sand Park, water fountains (which you can get wet and interact with),a Zen Garden, forests and wooden tables for picnicking. You can bring your own food and drinks, or eat out at one of the many restaurants and cafes within the Park.

Overall, a nice, clean, safe area in which to learn, meet people, enjoy the day, and have fun in Medellin-the City of Eternal Spring.

7.Museo Interactivo EPM:(In the same vicinity of Parque Pies Descalzo)

The Museum seeks to create a better understanding of the discovery, evolution, advancement and utilization of the sciences toward improvement in the lives of humankind.Also got a spiky hair in one of the blah blah center(Not good at physics).Aura analysis-direct or indirect examination of the vital energy that envelops each human.The colors of the aura reveal the personal traits of the subject.Mine was a stable double-colored aura and I remember only one of the colors significance which said: "El exito material y economico" :-)

8.Pueblito Paisa:

It is a replica of an old Antioquian town with handicraft shops,a church and is situated up a hill.Right now,it's under renovation.But from the roof top you can see a breathtaking view of the city and the lights of houses on the mountains looks like some chunks of Lava.

9.Parque de los Deseos:(Dream Park)

Near Antioquia's University,has an Indian context,beautifully enmarqued with the planetarium, and science experiements.Also they have huge screen on which they show movies to the public for free.A very impressive and wonderful place to hang-out.

Finally,want to thank Eva and Vero for having been so and nice patient in showing the places and for coming along with me.Thanks to Ana Garcia also who accompanied me to few places.Infact,I managed to see 99% of the above places just in a day with an excellent timing. :-)

Pues...Una ciudad hermosa y salva. :-)

Carnaval De Barranquilla

It's a shame but this was the first time I had been out of Bogota after four months of my stay in Colombia.The last three days at the carnival was really nice and hot(TANNED!).

Reina(Queen)of the Carnival



Children to adults dressed up like beauties to bitches,criminals to celebrities,ancient to modern with colorful and flashy costumes.

The first day was really crowded and noisy and most of them were like a promotion campaign to me.But on the second day,there were some wonderful dance performances of different origins.This was the first time I had been to a carnival.



Also,I happened to be on my first Chiva with the other AIESECers and Trainees.Now that was a great experience.A person visting colombia should go in a Chiva.The CHIVA is the multi-coloured workhorse bus adorning the streets of Colombia.The CHIVA is a national symbol of free-spirits and carefree attitudes.

Sarah and the OC had done a great job in organising all this smoothly.Thanks guys!

And by the way,hundreds of pictures were taken by all.Soon you'll find all of them online.

Big Day...

Open and generous,Sr.Jean-Claude Bessudo,The President of the Aviatur(The biggest travel agency in Colombia).A very determind intellectual.His decisions are impulsive and driven by gut instinct.

He was also the host of the spanish version reality television show "El Aprendiz"(literal translation from the original show's name "The Apprentice").The show's catchphrase is "Estás despedido!"(You're fired!).

So today I was invited to visit his office and I was absolutely delighted. In the beginning I was really nervous.

Entrance



Once I was in his office,he looks at me,smiles,walks up to me and welcomes me in.Such a nice Gentleman.Then I had a very nice & a real useful conversation with him. Keep guessing!

Finally, here it is...

Me with Sr.Jean-Claude Bessudo


It's been such an honour to meet him.

Estoy muy Contento! :-)

Woo Hoo!

Led by Angels...

Novena Celebration at my office

A novena is a nine day prayer to obtain special favors, graces, or petitions.

Gifts for the children



Children with their gifts



Angelito Avi with the angels

Diwali in Colombia

"Diwali" is the Hindu "Festival of Lights" and marks the victory of good over the evil. Fireworks are associated with the festival in many regions of India. Honestly, I never thought I would celebrate Diwali in Colombia. It all happened when few Indians out here met each other at an Indian Restaurant on Diwali. To my surprise, I saw like 30 Indians on that day and some of them with their respective family and kids. I was so happy to meet them all. After getting to know each other, we all decided to start an Indian Community in Colombia and meet more often.

After few days, MEGA INDIAN FOOD FESTIVAL was planned for 1st November 2006.It was a night filled with exotic food, dances, legends and culture in honour of Diwali. Around 95 people had come with all the excitement, eagerness to know about India and its diverse culture.

We(Left to Right: Jasmine,Me,Mauricio,Andrea,Dhanur,Ashish,Gopi,Ana) started off with Ramayan (in Spanglish), a Hindu holy epic that depicts the history, life of Lord Rama, whose wife Sita is abducted by the rakshasa, or demon, Ravana and Lord Ram achieving victory beating Ravana (Demon).We then danced our way to glory with some salsa to begin with...bollywood style and some typical Indian moves. Later, we had a small quiz on India and with some prizes as well. It was all happening there!

Personally, this day will be very memorable. I was more than happy to share the evening with all my friends like Ivancho, Juanca, Jenn, Lala, Serge, Bee, Ligia, Dhanur, Mauricio, Andrea, Kariena and also my colleagues from Aviatur. Muchas Gracias Todos!

Walking on the Mountains...

Yesterday, for the first time I had been outside Bogota, to a place called "Guatavita" located just 2.5 hours from the north of Bogotá. We were four i.e. Jenn, Serge and David (Serge's pal). We travelled by flota (bus) to Guatavita Town, had our lunch there.Once we were in the town of Guatavita, I realized that it was indeed a big tourist attraction.Later, we walked our way to the "LAGUNA DEL CACIQUE GUATAVITA."

This was the first time I walked more than 7 kilometres at a stretch. Since, the path to the Laguna was towards the mountains it was really strenuous. Initially, I thought it was just some normal park since I never knew how this place would be and was wondering whether this walk on the mountains was worth it!

When I reached the place at the entrance I was still feeling the same... but when we all slowly walked up (3200 m) the mountain along with the guide, I could feel the calm & pleasant enviroment. I now see, the breath-taking Laguna.One of the speculation was that the lagoon could have been the crater of a volcano.The lagoon was scared place for the native Musicas, who used gold in their rituals. From there the Legend of El Dorado arose, marked by an eager for treasures, wanted to dry up the lagoon, forming the big opening it has presently.
Four of us hardly talking, looking, just the quiet whisper of nature embracing us, it was an impressive hour of walking. This was something special and worth it! Thanks to Jenn & Serge!

Zonalito Conference 2006

Last week, I was at Zonalito, AIESEC ECI. And I guess what? I was facilitating the conference. I was more than happy to see myself doing it. It was really a wonderful and a challenging experience for me... cos I had to explain the AIESEC 2010 scorecard to all the new members who knew nothing about AIESEC. I really don´t know whether this is bad or good ... I mean... for example, I do know the AIESEC 2010 scorecard but when I knew I had to give this presentation, I made a visit to the MC to make sure the information that I have is correct. Cos I did not want to give any wrong information to the new members. Thanks to JuanK & Ivancho!