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.