#BogotaBlog (Joy's Perspective)

I don’t speak Spanish, not even a little. But in Bogotá I learned one very important phrase -- ya casi. I was told it means “already, almost”. Apparently it applies to, well, everything!

Is my bowl of ajiaco coming? Ya casi!
Did you finish your math worksheet? Ya casi!

Bogotanos are very optimistic and reassuring to one another – so, letting someone know you’re “already, almost” where you need to be or that the food is just about to your table (even if you really just ordered it) is normal.  It makes you feel like you’re always only moments away from where you are meant to be.

That’s one of the things I like that about Colombia – or at least, what I was able to see of it in my very short visit to Bogotá the last week of March. I also like that people greet each other with a kiss (just one, and on the right cheek), and that everyone, everywhere says good day, good afternoon or good night as you pass by.  I like that Colombians are proud – of their coffee, of their food, their diverse heritage and their soccer team.

As for me, I’m just proud to say I was able to visit my dear friend Kelli and see her life in Bogotá. In five short days she showed me so much about this beautiful, colorful country. From unwrapping my first breakfast tamal or practicing enough Spanish to order a cup of coffee by myself, we jumped right in to the culture of the city. We saw priceless works of modern art in the free Botero museum and witnessed the Stations of the Cross set against breathtaking views in Monserrate. We worked hard – thankfully fueled by delicious coffee – to take in as much as possible. A highlight for me was visiting the small town of Zipaquirá, where we took in more amazing views, walked some very steep hills and explored an underground cathedral carved out of an old salt mine.

I also learned so much about El Camino Academy, and the community of students and staff God has brought together there. I caught a hilarious closing show of Pinocchio, read poetry with Kelli’s 2^nd graders and discussed with high schoolers the difficulties of being authentic to the Christian faith in today’s world of modern media. My favorite part of each school day was when the staff came together first thing to share a devotional or sing praise songs together in both Spanish and English. It was a wonderful way to start the day grounded in God and in the real task at hand: leading students in a closer walk with the Lord as they learn about the world around them. ECA reminds me so much of the international school I attended growing up in Penang, Malaysia, and I felt instantly at home – how could I not, with these adorable new friends?

It was an amazing experience to visit Kelli in Bogotá—to see her in her new home, speaking beautiful Spanish and running her own classroom. It felt like I became a part of ECA and a resident of Bogotá for a few days, stopping at the local CoffiPan for breakfast and sending the 2^nd graders home with a hug at the end of another busy school day.

And when, during the taxi ride through morning rush hour traffic to the airport, the taxi driver turned and said “ya casi!” I just smiled back.  I knew I was on my way home, but at the same time I realized something: when sharing life with a great friend in a community of believers – no matter where in the world you are – it’s easy to feel like you’re “already, almost” home.