I stood in line at a small market near my apartment in Bogotá, waiting patiently to pay for my food. I looked into my basket and gazed at the dull tomatoes lacking the sheen tomatoes have in the United States. Fruits that I only learned existed after moving to Colombia filled my basket, as did milk from a bag and room-temperature eggs. Six months ago, I was waiting in a very … [Read more...]
Moving to Colombia Taught Me to Embrace Change
Moving to Colombia was never part of my plan. But here I am living in Bogotá and this experience has helped me embrace other changes in life. I burst into tears at my mother’s dinner table on one of my last nights in the United States. I tried to use my phone as a distraction by frantically scrolling through tweets and Facebook posts, but my eyes welled up and I began to … [Read more...]
When Plans Change: Leaving Lima, Back to Bogotá
I should be in Lima, Peru right now. That was the plan. Yet, I’m sitting in a lovely apartment that overlooks downtown Bogotá, Colombia. I guess if we’re talking plans, I wouldn’t be in South America at all. I would be in Florida with my mouth poised in front of a microphone, ready to read the news over the airwaves. I quit my great job as a radio news anchor to … [Read more...]
I’m Moving to Peru and I’m Terrified
I made the decision to move to Peru on a visit to Machu Picchu. Five months later, I was on a plane back to South America. We probably all know someone who quit a job and moved to another country. This person could be an adventurous cousin who didn’t let the fact that he’s white stop him from growing dreadlocks. It could be that one woman from accounting who went on vacation … [Read more...]