Food: the Great Unifier

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Who hasn't shared a laugh or initiated a new friendship over home-cooked meal or a cup of coffee? The same holds true in Colombia. I had the fortune of celebrating two delicious culinary experiences within my first weeks of arriving:

Office Potluck: It started as an innocent lunch time conversation and soon we were dividing responsibilities between main entrees and desserts. (I brought the dessert. The ever popular Monster Cookies. My recipe was a little unique; regular M&Ms are hard to find; and I am stilling becoming accustomed to the altitude and cooking with celsius. Otherwise, they turned out great!) It was a great Friday celebration that got everyone out of their office rolls to enjoy everyone's company.

Dia de Amor e Amistad: Instead of just celebrating those we love, let's celebrate our friendships as well . . . and let's do it for an entire month. So, we exchanged names, gave secret little gifts, and celebrated with a feast of food and a flurry of gifts. And, yet again, it was a rousing gathering outside of the confines of the typical office routine.

PS I also love the fact that most celebrations not only include copious amounts of food but beverages as well. Delicious!

PPS Angie, you can also consider our office celebration a birthday party for you...it was exactly the same day. Isn't great how such excitement transcends borders and distance?!