And I thought English TV Ads were bad

Cheesy, fake, too colourful, over enthusiastic and did I mention fake?!

I’m just glad I can’t understand what they’re saying as well or it might be too much to handle!

I’ve just sat through 3 softener adverts with each one getting progressively worst than the last – I didn’t realise women could get receding hairline so badly!!!

All is saved we’re now back to Colombia has talent – which they do compared to Britain!!

They don’t just bring on an underdressed female to sing but they team it with a half decent band and some salsa moves which is a lot more than I can say for my fellow Brits.

The mysteries of Colombian Soccer

Club Deportes Tolima S.A. Vs Itagui

Disclaimer: I do not claim to know anything about football/soccer English or otherwise !! I just want to put that out there although I’m sure the following post would have told you that anyway!

It’s a bold statement but I’m going to make it anyway: it is not the quality of players or the team that make or break a game… It is the fans.

It has been most likely around 10 years since I have been to a football/soccer (hey it could have even been rugby) match an yes it was probably a Devon league which speaks for itself but it was nothing, NOTHING, compared to today!

We sat in the ‘safe’ zone of the stands which really meant that we were in the calmer zone. Although it would have been nice to stand/jump with the hardcore fans I think it was more fun (and less energetic – very hot sun) to watch them from a distance.
A 90 minute match with half time and extra time and the fans did not tire – the whole way through they would avidly cheer on their team, band playing in tow to boost the lively sounds. Whistles from every direction – it felt lively to be in that crowd to say the least!

Not that I understood the words the crowd would shout but you can certainly get the picture from following the match and hearing the tone of the screams. When they did well the team were praised, when they didn’t do so well boy were they cursed!

It was a big game and I’m told the winner of this match went through to the finals of the whole country!
Here is where the mystery comes in… There were no goals either side, no penalties, yet there was a winner and it wasn’t us (Ibague/Tolima). I later asked why they went through and we didn’t and was told:

that is the question…

So I guess it will remain a mystery, to me at least, for eternity – or until I find someone who knew more about the match!

One thing I do know – Colombians don’t half overreact a small fall into a rather large roll, clench of hurt muscle and demand for penalty/yellow card.

Within the first 30 minutes of the game, the Ambulance Golf Cart was driven onto the pitch at least 3 times and the injured member taken to the side only to get off the stretcher and back onto the pitch – a little unnecessary I feel but I wasn’t going to complain when the paramedic was the hottest guy trotting around the field!!

Question – why doesn’t English football have a Ambulance Golf Cart…

Me no speak Spanish

Well I have arrived safe and sound despite a dodgy reaction to my vaccinations – thankfully I think the worst has passed!

It’s possibly the biggest worry when you arrive in a new country and can’t find the man at the airport with your name on a sign, luckily I managed to locate him eventually! It was an awkward journey to the hotel as my driver didn’t speak any English and I don’t speak any Spanish! – yet he still knew how to ask if I was single or married… Questionable!

I’ve somehow managed to locate and pay for the correct bus journey to Ibague (I think – thanks to many helpful Colombians!) and luckily it’s not too hot as it is definitely too over crowded! I have a gorilla of a man practically sat on me and its not delightful!

Most impressive thing so far? The street art!! Actually amazing – Banksy eat your heart out!

Packing and Panicking

The countdown is almost finished, I have one day left to prepare, pack and panick. I’ll be honest its mostly panicking at this stage.

In true style I have left it until the day before I leave to get my jabs, meaning there will be ten days where I am unprotected against Yellowfever – although my biggest worry is that they won’t let me into the country!!

2 months in Colombia, volunteering with Small Businesses and Charities – and there’s a few kids thrown in there somewhere but if I’m honest I’m still not sure where/how!
But fully planned trips are never as fun right?! I know what plane I’m getting on and where I’m staying for the first night… the rest will be a wonderful mystery!

Wish me luck!