Posts

World Cup

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The soccer World Cup in Brazil begins in eight weeks.  The U.S. has qualified for the last 20 years, but most in the US don’t realize that the finals are coming up.  It would be very had not to know that the national team qualified in Colombia (and is considered a possible favorite).  National team jerseys are everywhere.  Pottery is popular in the crafts markets; many artisans have diversified their usual products to include piggy banks in the form of the World Cup trophy.  I didn’t have my phone, but the best photo was at the university. I’m not sure how it works, but there is a type of collector cards system for players on the national team.  On the first day of release,  there were large clusters of students.  I couldn’t see if they were buying or trading the cards.

$70

Outpatient imaging center.

Outpatient imaging center.

Toshiba CT Scanner

Toshiba CT Scanner

Ambuances

Ambulances

There aren’t many US healthcare procedures that fall under the $70 mark.  In Colombia, $70 will cover the cost of your CT scan (the report from the radiologist is included for free).  The major outpatient imaging center is IDIME, and their CT scanner was a brand new/month old Toshiba model.  When you pick up your results, the packet includes images, the radiologist’s report, and a commemorative DVD of your results.  It is the patient’s responsibility to take them to their next appointment with their physician.

Univ – Graffiti

Preparing for the semester.

Preparing for the semester.

IMG_0198IMG_0370 IMG_0387 IMG_0305 IMG_0300A very distinctive element of the university is the graffiti.  At the beginning of every semester, the university administration paints over all of the graffiti.  Shortly afterwards, students will set up with paint cans and begin repainting the walls.  Some are quite impressive; others are slogans or stencils.  Most are on exterior walls, but an occasional slogan is painted in interior hallways or in classrooms.  The more architecturally significant buildings are typically left alone.

Student Vendors

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Since the university does not have dorms, the students do not have standardized meal plans.  Also, there aren’t any vending machines.  Instead, students set-up stands on the major sidewalks selling all types of food for other students.  Options range from regular snacks to homemade doughnuts, hamburgers and sandwiches.  Occasionally, someone will bring a propane tank and will cook at their stand.

Students Waiting

The university doesn’t have dorms so students spend much more time on campus waiting for their next class.  Classes start at 7:00 am and end at 8:00 pm.  At 8:00 pm, the bus stop is packed with students going home at the end of the day.IMG_0301 IMG_0344 IMG_0345 IMG_0336

Universidad Nacional

University Bus Stop

University Bus Stop

This semester I am teaching at the National University of Colombia.  It is the elite public university in the country with about 25,000 students.  When it was built in the 1940s, it was on the outskirts of town, but now it is in the center of the city.  It is one of about six universities in the top tier Colombian schools (one or two public, the rest are private universities).

Ave. 26 Campus Entrance

Ave. 26 Campus Entrance

Bike Rack

Bike Rack

Veterinary School

Veterinary School

Postgraduate Social Sciences Library

Postgraduate Social Sciences Library

Voting

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Elections for Congress were last Sunday.  This polling station was outside the neighborhood.  Interestingly, bars and restaurants are not allowed to sell alcohol the night before the election.

Close Friends

IMG_0287IMG_0286Rush hour on the bus definitely brings you closer to your neighbor (the bus in the picture isn’t considered “full”).  The rapid bus lines struggle to keep up with demand during rush hour.  Over the last several days there have been street protests and blocked roads due to overcrowding at many stations.  A key frustration is that many buses are already full by the time they have gone a few stops.  At peak times, people can wait an hour to find a bus to squeeze onto.

Cheetos

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As some already know, I have a fondness for Cheetos (real Cheetos, not baked).  Imagine my disappointment when I learned that Cheetos in Colombia are neither fried nor covered in artificial cheese product.

3 hours, 16 miles

Creative steakhouse

Creative steakhouse

Standstill

Standstill

On Sunday we were invited to a restaurant 16 miles outside of Bogota (roughly an hour in good traffic).  It was an enjoyable mix of steakhouse/petting-zoo/children’s playground.  The drive back was a new experience in frustrating; three hours to cover sixteen miles.  While sitting in traffic, I took a moment to visit with a security guard; the traffic was normal for Sunday at 4:00.  Our most memorable moment was back in the city.  During a left turn, another car cut us off in the middle of the intersection until the traffic light changed.  Sitting in an intersection, facing the wrong direction in four lanes of oncoming traffic was a new experience.