VOL. XIX, NO. 1
SEPTEMBER 23, 1977
A.F.S Student
Tara Spends Summer In Colombia
Tara Spends Summer In Colombia
Senior Tara Nesbit, spent this summer in Colombia, South America, as Maine West's A.F.S. representative. Tara lived in Palmira, a small town in the southern part of the country.
After orientation in Miami, Florida, and Bogota, the capital of Colombia, Tara was placed in Palmira with the family of Senor Luis Alfonso Tuscon. Her adopted family included four sisters, ages 19. 18, 17, 14, and a little brother, age seven.
What was the first thing she noticed about Colombia? Tara replied. 'The time. Everything is so much slower; time isn't as important in Colombia as it is here." She went onto explain that Colombians aren't worried about being late for appointments. It isn't unusual for a businessman to have an appointment at two and not arrive until quarter past three. People aren't preoccupied with time.
The Tuscon family was of the upper class. They, like most welloff families, have servants. Their house was located near the heart of Palmira and had many little patios throughout the house.
Tara noted that a major difference between Americans and Colombians is their family life. She explained. "My father was notorious for being very strict.' It is the custom that what the father says is the final word; older people are very highly respected. If a girl never marries, she never leaves the home. Colombians make it a habit of getting together with the entire family at least once a week.
After orientation in Miami, Florida, and Bogota, the capital of Colombia, Tara was placed in Palmira with the family of Senor Luis Alfonso Tuscon. Her adopted family included four sisters, ages 19. 18, 17, 14, and a little brother, age seven.
What was the first thing she noticed about Colombia? Tara replied. 'The time. Everything is so much slower; time isn't as important in Colombia as it is here." She went onto explain that Colombians aren't worried about being late for appointments. It isn't unusual for a businessman to have an appointment at two and not arrive until quarter past three. People aren't preoccupied with time.
The Tuscon family was of the upper class. They, like most welloff families, have servants. Their house was located near the heart of Palmira and had many little patios throughout the house.
Tara noted that a major difference between Americans and Colombians is their family life. She explained. "My father was notorious for being very strict.' It is the custom that what the father says is the final word; older people are very highly respected. If a girl never marries, she never leaves the home. Colombians make it a habit of getting together with the entire family at least once a week.
Parties in Colombia were also quite different than our own.
They began around 10 in the evening and ended at 4 o'clock in the morning. Everyone present dances, drinks, sings and eats until the early hours. There is no drinking age in Colombia, but children are raised with drinking; therefore, there is very little drunkeness. Marijuanna is not a problem, as one young man told Tara; the only time he ever smoked pot was when he visited the United States.
People are much more romantic in Colombia. Tara's oldest adopted sister, Marta Patricia, was serenaded many times by her boyfriend. "A serenade," Tara said, "was a popular way for a guy to show his affection." For $20, a young man could hire a small band to play four or five songs.
Discos are very popular in Latin America. The discos, unlike those in the United States have no age limits. What are the most popular songs in Colombia? American rock and roll, the Salsa, and soft music called rancheros.
In closing Tara said, "People were much more affectionate toward one another. The people were terrific and I loved it. I'm ready to go back."
They began around 10 in the evening and ended at 4 o'clock in the morning. Everyone present dances, drinks, sings and eats until the early hours. There is no drinking age in Colombia, but children are raised with drinking; therefore, there is very little drunkeness. Marijuanna is not a problem, as one young man told Tara; the only time he ever smoked pot was when he visited the United States.
People are much more romantic in Colombia. Tara's oldest adopted sister, Marta Patricia, was serenaded many times by her boyfriend. "A serenade," Tara said, "was a popular way for a guy to show his affection." For $20, a young man could hire a small band to play four or five songs.
Discos are very popular in Latin America. The discos, unlike those in the United States have no age limits. What are the most popular songs in Colombia? American rock and roll, the Salsa, and soft music called rancheros.
In closing Tara said, "People were much more affectionate toward one another. The people were terrific and I loved it. I'm ready to go back."
