Me encanta Manizales

A description and some photos would not do Manizales justice. The city and the surrounding countryside is stunningly beautiful. It does not seems especially easy to get around except via taxi, although there are bus lines and also a few cables if you just want to go to the valley. I haven't taken one yet, but be assured it is in the plans. I imagine that the scenery from above is even more spectacular.

I know what you're thinking... "I bet the Chinese is terrible." Not so! My first meal was a gigantic cube of fried rice with several types of meat. It was quite delicious although difficult to keep the rice on the plate. I've never had Chinese food with fries before, but I dig it. I am having a very difficult time finding vegetables other than the cabbage they often serve as a garnish, but once I move into the hostel tomorrow I am going to cook most of my own meals to save some cash and to eat something other than bread, cheese, and meat. The colombian frijoles are very good, I am hoping that they are as easy to cook as they are delicious.

I miss the hostel life, I guess. It's a bit lonely in the hotel I am staying in, and a bit loud. I must admit, the wifi in the room is a bonus, but apparently that is possible in the hostel as well. The king sized bed is kind of wasted on me also. I discovered last night that it is actually two twin beds pushed together. I'll miss the privacy, but I'm looking forward to a less busy and noisy part of town.

Meanwhile, the purpose of my trip has been partially realized. I started my fieldwork on the Guardianas de la Ladera program. The office for the NGO that runs the joint is in the middle of the fair grounds, which was very confusing both for me and the taxi driver. The picture below is from one of the offices there. I have been very well-received and everyone is extremely helpful so far. I have even been offered office space if I choose to come back. It was a bit awkward trying to talk to the women today because it seemed so formal and because my brain was not functional today, more so than usual anyway. I'm hoping to catch some interviews with the participants when they are not too busy, and when el jefe isn't standing right there. I admire the women a lot. They are all single mothers, the work is extremely difficult and a bit dangerous. I personally slipped and almost fell off of the mountain on my first day. I'm not sure if the program is appropriate for a case study, but I have a couple of weeks to find out. Meanwhile, what a great place to spend a couple of weeks!