Iglesias de Colombia or Colombian Churches

My Adventurous Weekend....

started when I decided to go to the Pereira library for the first time.  I walked in completely unsure if I had to have id or if there were weird rules about looking at the books. So, I walked in and the guard stops me because I guess you can't bring in purses or bags. You leave it with the guard, they put it in a locker and giver you a number tag to pick it up when you leave.

I started by looking for the English books and found a few from the late 80's. In fact, almost all of the books are about 20 years are more.  This makes me EXTREMELY grateful for the state of the art library in Indianapolis, it is gorgeous! Six floors of endless possibilities; travels, music, art, education, adventure, science, history, and the creative imaginations of generations of authors.

A view from the older section of the Indianapolis Library. You can see the indoor atrium from here.

One of the fiction reading rooms.

A hallway to the world!

Yes, they have fireplaces too!

View from a window.

View from the new extension. Downtown Indianapolis.

So, suffice it to say, my high expectations were cut to the core and I only lasted about 15 minutes.  As I was leaving the guard stopped me and asked why I left so early.  My limited Spanish caused me to say I only wanted to look because it was the first time I had been there.  Well, being the friendly Colombian he is, proceeded to give me a tour.

So, even though they don't compare to the Indianapolis Central Library, they do offer free English classes, where I met Andy, a very comical teacher, movies on Sunday for the kids, and free courses on technology and financing.  After observing them for a few minutes they were actually pretty decent.

From the library I decided to continue walking downtown. I met Octavio at the church near Plaza Bolivar. I went in to take pictures of the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Pobreza.

I was able to take these two photos right before Octavio started telling me the entire history of the building, convert me to Catholicism, and save my soul. I managed to escape 45 minutes later.  I continued walking and enjoying the sights, until this weirdo started saying all of these rude comments about white people and foreigners thinking they can wear whatever they want and go wherever they want.  All I was wearing were my moccasins and a green dress. I didn't think it was that inappropriate, but who am I to discern the inner-workings of a know-it-all, crazed man. He scared me enough that I decided to grab the next cab and hop away.

All in all. I walked about 7 kilometers and saw some new and interesting shopping centers and cafes.  I finished my afternoon at Unicentro before heading home and calling it a day.  Below are some photos from the view of the library and Victoria Plaza. I'll share part two, day two of the adventure in the next post.

Another favorite church of mine, Igelsia de Carmen.

The plaza where events are held. Today was some music thing with Pony, a very weird malted beverage that Colombians love.

The library is in the cultural center to the left.

Be the Change You Want to See-Ghandi

I know, I know. It is very over used and may sound a tad cliche, but it really is one of the greatest motivators to stop complaining and make it happen.

I am extremely opinionated. I get an idea in my mind and think that everyone else should be able to see it as clearly as I do. Usually my ideas come from wanting to make the complexities of life, simplified.

Unfortunately, my frankness comes across as complaining. Now, I think there is a clear distinction between admitting there is a problem and creating a solution verses just complaining without reason or without a solution.

The listeners just don't get it.  Or maybe they don't think its a problem.  I think anything that makes life harder is a problem and therefore should be evaluated and solved.

One problem I want to solve is the gap between children and adults, or the controllers verses the controlled.  I want to see a future where the antiquated view of a child being less intelligent than adults or unable to control themselves is a thing of the 20th century, not the 21st.

Now, the older I get the more I realize age has nothing to do with emotional and intellectual intelligence.  There are a lot of kids out there do amazing things these days.  Kid President is one of my favorites!

There are also, just as many adults doing very ignorant things---HEllo? War, fighting over really stupid things liking parking spots or property lines.  I believe I had the same fight with my brother when I was seven: "This is my side! You can't touch my side of the seat! Keep your fingers on your side!"  Same argument, amplified context.

So, I want my students to start recognizing the importance of who they are now. I want them to have an active and partnering role in the learning process.

Which is why I decided to allow them to have an open discussion forum the next few days in class about what they like and don't like about our class, things they want to improve on, what they think they should be evaluated on, how they feel in our classroom, and things they like and don't like about me. (That's a wee bit frightening).

I admit I have always complained about the voices of children being lost, but now I am going to stop, address, the problem, and start being the change I want to see.

Wish us luck!