Bucaramanga, Day 1

Today I arrived in the Bucaramanga Airport Palo Negro where my new Colombian family picked me up. They are very excited to have me and gave me a grand tour of the city today. Their home is in a gated neighborhood that is walking distance from their "club campestre", or country club, which looks more like a Miami art deco hotel than the typical country clubs that I know. Sofia and Juanita have offered to give me golf and tennis lessons in exchange for time where we speak English together so that they can practice. They are learning English in their bilingual school, which is also in the neighborhood. When I arrived at their home, they had made me a welcome sign in English on put it on the front door. I am so lucky to be staying with such a nice family.

After dropping off my bags, we went to the "finca" or farm of Dr. B's family where we visited with the horses, cows, dogs, and even baby goats. Dr. B was very eager to explain to me how their Colombian breed of horses is better than any other. They have a much larger farm outside the city that also includes roosters which I was told we will be staying at the weekend after next.

After that, we went to vote! Today was the presidential election day, and I watched the girls as Drs. B voted inside a nearby school. The entire compound had very strict military security and I was only allowed in if I kept my mouth shut and did not speak with my gringa accent, according to Sofia. It was very interesting watching the Colombian citizens (80% of the nation comes out to vote) fill out their paper ballots in cardboard partitions and place them into boxes.

Afterwards, we went to the house of the Dr. B's mother, who had prepared turkey and many desserts for an election day party, where we watched the results of the vote this evening.

Tomorrow is my first day of work with the Drs. B, we will be going to the Fundacion Cardiovascular that is close by to work in the clinics and grand rounds with the other surgeons.

xoxokr