A different point of view in this crazy world. Follow me.
For my Grandmother, Alejandrina.
On April 12, over a hundred years ago, a relative of Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra—the William Shakespeare in the Spanish language–was born in the sweetest town of Colombia, Moniquirá.
Pacific Saavedra, better known as The Duck Saavedra in town, was an entrepreneur and storyteller, who loved playing the treble guitar and singing. Continue reading “The Little Corner”
The last day of the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 kept the fans of four South American countries—Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Chile—close to a heart attack. With a calculator in one hand and a Jesus stamp in the other, we Colombians saw the qualifying matches so complicated that we would rather organize 100 monkeys for a picture a lot easier.
The passion soccer generates to its fans in South America is hard to explain. As many American and European media outlets characterized it, Conmebol is one of the most competitive federations in the world, because all of its teams are evenly trained. This fact guarantees that, every four years, the drama will last until the last match. Continue reading “The Religion of Soccer”
One of the aspects of American life that surprises immigrants–especially those who come from countries with civil war like my home country Colombia–is the easy access to fire arms and the constitutional right of its citizens to keep and bear them.
When I met my husband, his oldest son was 13, and he already knew how to shoot, unload, and show clear a revolver. I couldn’t believe it. However, my husband explained that he took his son to a shooting range more as a survival mechanism than a hobby. Continue reading “The Second Amendment: a Moving Target”
Last Wednesday, September 20th, I embarked on an adventure which I never tried before fearing I might not have survived it: a 15 hour road-trip from Jacksonville, FL to Greenwood, IN–almost 900 miles–on board a mini-van with five adults and two children.
The reason for the trip was a family wedding and reunion on my husband’s side. The last time that we were together was in September of 2009, and since then, there has been a funeral, three weddings, and six births.
In comparison with my Colombian family, which gathers frequently, getting an American family together in the same place is a task of titanic proportions. In the case of my husband’s family, there are members who live in each corner of the US, from California, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Ohio. Therefore, such event is unforgettable. Continue reading “The Blood Calling”
Last week my oldest aunt turned 63, and when I called her to say happy birthday, she said to me, “I still can’t believe I have all those years!” Honestly, I couldn’t either, because that meant that I am reaching the fourth floor.
When I was in my twenties, I remember mocking people who lied about their real age. The desperation of men covering their balding heads with hair pieces that looked like road kill, and mature women shopping at Forever 21, looked ridiculous to me. However, it seems that this selective type of denial could actually have a powerful effect on an individual’s longevity. Continue reading “Cheating on your age is good for your health”
Since September 4th, the name Irma stole the thunder, literally. Considered the most powerful Category 5 hurricane recorded in the history of the North Atlantic Ocean–with sustained winds of 187 mph–Irma crossed the islands of the Caribbean and the state of Florida as if it were a lawn mower leaving in its path nothing but destruction and heartbreak.
The aftermath of the hurricane was catastrophic. More than 50 victims, 15 million people without electricity and billions of dollars in property damage. Continue reading “Are there hurricanes in South America?”
Yesterday, while I wrote this blog, two important events were about to happen in my home country. First, the Colombian qualifying match for the 2018 World Cup in Russia against Brazil, and the second, the arrival of Pope Francis. Nothing like religion and soccer to collapse the country of the Sacred Heart.
While I watched the game, I scared my son several times with my gut retching screams every time the Colombian and Brazilian players shot their cannons at the opponent’s goalies. I even had to take an acid reducer pill to control my gastritis. Continue reading “The Power of Faith”
Last Monday, August 21st, two historical events took place. My mother’s birthday and the total sun eclipse that crossed 14 states in the US–from coast to coast–driving people crazy. In my city, the only effect that the astronomical event brought was torrential rain that overcast the sky leaving millions of fanatics with their $40 special sunglasses unpacked.
Out of all the images that circled social media in the last couple of days, the one that caught my attention was this Colombian cartoon by Matador, published on the newspaper El Tiempo. Corrupción means Corruption.
Last week, one of my best friends returned from a two-week trip to Alaska and Canada. Besides talking about the majestic views, she told me about the surprise she got with the normalized use of marijuana compared to five years ago, the last time she visited. Her and her husband had to improvise in front of their 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter every time the unmistakable smell surrounded them.
Alaska is one of the eight states in the US where cannabis is completely legal. Initially, these states approved the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, but as expected, the legislation became the Trojan Horse to progressively turn it loose for recreational use. Continue reading “Dangerous Treats”
Last Saturday August 5th, the Paris St Germain’s fans were let down. The star that cost them 263 million euros couldn’t shine at the Parc de Princes Stadium against the Amiens, because the CTI (International Transfer Certificate) was not registered the eve before the game to finalize the transfer process.
After reading sports articles of American, Colombian, British and Spanish magazines, the majority highlighted in their headlines the “immorality” of Neymar’s price tag. Nonetheless, what morality in terms of money can be expected from Qatar, the richest country in the world and owner of the PSG? According to data from the 2017 Forbes report, the GDP of the Persian Golf state is $130,000 a year.
Continue reading “Is Neymar’s transfer price to PSG immoral?”
Good crazy woman 