The document provides an update from a Peace Corps volunteer serving in Colombia. It discusses the volunteer celebrating the new year in Cartagena and seeing local traditions. The volunteer also mentions enjoying time in the US during the holidays and comments on the breezy weather currently in Colombia. The update discusses welcoming new groups of volunteers and the volunteer now living in a new town outside Barranquilla where they will support volunteer trainings and help ensure volunteers have a successful experience.

1. Colombian Update 19 January 2016
¡Saludos a todos! ¡Feliz Año! Happy New Year from the Caribbean coast of Colombia! I made it back
safely and into a whirlwind of craziness finding a place to live and getting work done. I spent New Year’s
in Cartagena where I saw the fireworks and ate my 12 grapes. I also saw a tradition on the beach. I heard
of burning a doll that symbolizes the past and you are starting anew leaving the past behind. I had only
heard of it and now I got to see people do it. It was really interesting. Nothing wrong with starting fresh.
My time in the States from Thanksgiving to Christmas was such a gift. I loved being able to see all four
advent candles lit! And I thoroughly enjoyed all the great food and even the cold weather.
Thinking I would thaw out coming back to Colombia, no such luck. It’s breezy season here and it is the
best time to visit the coast because the breeze makes up for the heat and it’s not so bad. It’s right about
now that everyone forgets how bad it really gets. This year the breezy season feels extra windy. It’s nice
that I haven’t really felt hot yet. I dare say, I’ve even gotten chilly.
As for an update from last October, the 25th
anniversary went well and I already started to see a few
aspects of my job materializing by helping in whatever way I could to get things done. I did a few
translations for posters and hosted a few Returned Peace Corps Volunteers from the 60’s. It was so
encouraging to hear their stories and how their experiences differed from today. But bottom line,
Volunteers all have something in common. Everyone thinks they take away more than they give and the
community is richer for the experience.
November was really exciting. We welcomed our first group of Community Economic Development
Volunteers! This small group of 10 people came to establish the program here in Colombia. Their stay is
only 11 months because their work is so specific. They have all been Volunteers elsewhere before. And
they are deemed CII7 since they are the 7th
group since returning to Colombia in 2010. They are a great
group that I have the privilege to get to know. Their work is not in schools but rather working with small
business to be more efficient and share resources. We are all really excited to see what comes of this new
adventure. 3 months in and they are already getting good feedback. The next group of CED Volunteers
will come in August.
Speaking of welcoming new people… We welcomed CII8 TEL (Teaching English for Livelihoods)
Volunteers January 13th
! This group of 29 is going through their training and I am helping with that. This
group will work in the schools but they are the first group to have community based training. They will be
doing everything from the small towns. Their experience will be so different and I look forward to seeing
it all unfold. They are already getting their taste of Carnaval (As it is Carnaval season!!). There will be
parades and loud music and costumes for the next month until actual CarnavalFeburary 6th
,7th
,8th
& 9th
.
If you can remember my description of Carnaval with fresh eyes,it was all so exciting. Now, a new group
will have that experience.
And now, I sit here in Puerto Colombia embarking on a new adventure living in a peri-urban town outside
of Barranquilla. I am close enough to take a 40 minute bus ride into the city but I am in a new community
with a smaller feel. I am in a beach town. I enjoyed a nice little run along the beach yesterday smiling and
taking it in that this is my life. Then, I get to the office where my bubble pops and I realize all the work I
have with trainings and resource building to help the Volunteers have the most successfulexperience
possible. I look ahead and am grateful for all the variety this next year will bring. If I can help others have
the same feeling at the end of their service, I will have done my job. Wish me luck!