Okay, Last Word On Colombia

First Impressions of Colombia: It’s very green, very green and clean - great for growing flowers and coffee.

We visited El Peñol (the big rock). It is the biggest rock in the northern hemisphere. Until five years ago the road to this tourist attraction was controlled by guerillas making it impossible for foreigners and the middle/upper class to travel lest they be kidnapped for ransom.

Speaking of security the airport takes it very seriously. For us it all began with passing a number of checkpoints on the way to the airport. Once in the airport military personal looked over all our luggage and singled out Diana’s as needing further inspection (she has the face of a smuggler). Further inspection meant that everything from her luggage was taken out, opened, unwrapped and sorted though, including dirty laundry. On we went to the next security check where all carry-ons were x-rayed and books were opened and sniffed before we were patted down by other military personnel. Then to the third security check where carry-ons were again x-rayed and where baggage was randomly searched. Finally before boarding we passed military with their trained dog.

Four things we saw on this trip we have never seen before: the coast of Cuba; a cat on a leash going for a walk in the mall; major streets closed in the city on Sunday for walking and bike riding; the shuttle launch as we sat in the plane at the Miami airport.

The ministry we worked with while in Colombia is called El Redil (the Fold). The main church meets on the grounds of what was once owned by one of the most powerful drug cartels in Colombia. It’s a huge complex that includes soccer field, basketball court, swimming pool and a huge Greek style bathroom. Plexiglas covers part of a walkway over an aquarium to give the illusion of walking on water. Horse stables have been converted into church offices, and the morning service is in the room that was a private disco. How’s that for a twist of irony? A facility that was once used by a drug lord is now used to honor the Lord of lords.