Today is a special day in my families life, because it is the Independence of Colombia!

[National Anthem]

My mother and her family are Colombian born.  My grandparents migrated from Colombia to build a new life and new opportunities for their family in the 1970s. My mom and aunt were introduced to the U.S. in their early teen years. They settled into an area in Rhode Island and later for many years called South Florida, home.

I am American born but I do love the culture that Colombian families have. We are very close, very loud, and very entertaining to people outside of the family looking in. We are definitely hot tempered, vivacious, we live life to the fullest, are grateful, and very blessed families.

 

One of my greatest memories of Colombia was spending I believe my 10th birthday there during the Independce Day parade. I ran up to the rooftop of my great grandmothers home and watched the parade as it passed through our streets in Campo Valdez, Medelline, Colombia. It was an awesome thing to see all the people in the streets, and see all the smiling faces.

Often times there is a stigmatiizim with the Colombian Culture. Yes, there is bad things that have happened in this country. Yes, I have seen some of those bad things, but with all the bad there are great people who laugh, and smile, and are generous. There are people who dance on the streets, and share their food with their neighbors. These are people who would give their clothes off their backs to you if they could. I don’t remember the bad things of the country but remember the loyalities created, and the great values my family have because of the country they were born in.

Colombia is filled with beautiful sites, a country that has volcanoes, borders a rainforest (the Amazon) , mountains (The Andes Mountains) and lush beaches (which is the only South American country that shares two oceans, the Atlantic &  Pacific oceans).

A country that serves great food to all and anyone. Not to mention the BEST COFFEE!

Another thing that makes it great is your next door neighbor will probably be making empanadas on the weekend to sell on the corner, and you better believe the aroma will fill the streets and many will come to buy the tantalizing food!

Oh and their is more! The dancing! The music is lively, happy, and no one is standing still, whether your dancing in your seat, or doing the traditional cumbia!

Here is a video I found of my ABSOULETELY FAVORITE thing about being able to say my family is COLOMBIA, LA CUMBIA!

Happy Indepencdence to a country, I hold close to my heart as well 🙂