Turkeypalooza 2008: Take 4 (the big finale)

The day has arrived. . . 3 days late in perfect Colombian style! It was a fabulous event that truly was an opportunity to give thanks for our family (those that are related by blood and those that are connected through experience). Here is how the delightful day unfolded:


8:30 AM Jump out of bed
8:45 AM Off to run in the Ciclovia
10:00 AM Time to cook
10:15 AM Just realized that I have no electricity. . . and an electric stove. Hmmmm
10:30 AM Still no power. Starting to think of other options (but I did find a crockpot!)
11:00 AM The moment of truth - turkey needs to start cooking. I'll cut vegetables and grease down the bird to calm my nerves.
11:15 AM Yeah! Power returns. Bird in the oven. Salsa tunes playing.
11:45 AM Stuffing in the crockpot. Chopping took a long time! (and no, I haven't showered yet)
12:00 PM Reading about making gravy. . . oh, Ben Friedman wants to chat online and Cristina Ramos as well. Oh, prepping for T-Day is fun.
12:30 PM Laura and David arrive with potatoes! (and I still need to shower)
1:00 PM Ok, already, I'll take a shower...let's give thanks for that!
1:30 PM Abby and Laura return to Olimpica (because we love it) and we need juice
2:00 PM Tom and Carol have arrived. Yeah!
2:30 PM Time to baste the bird. She looks lovely!
3:00 PM Time to set the table. Prepare the snacks. And open the wine!
3:30 PM Gravy-making time . . . this activity definitely calls for more wine!
4:00 PM Sylvia, Imani, Amy, Eduardo arrive! (Along with the secretly acquired cranberries!)
4:30 PM Time to carve the bird. Enter Eduardo and Carol (Abby is still working on the gravy.)
4:45 PM Tom leads us in grace.
4:50 PM Dinner is served. Of course, our Colombian guests eat first.
5:50 PM Time for seconds, and thirds, and fourths.
6:15 PM Here comes the tres leches (Angie, be jealous:) and cookies. . . and conversation regarding the difference in family relations between Colombians and Americans. Good times.
7:15 PM We roll ourselves from our chairs and start the clean up process. Which also includes slowly picking off every remainder of meat off the bone and either consuming it on the spot or wrapping it up for leftovers. Hmmmmmm!
8:30 PM As the wine continues to flow, we continue to chat, and the kitchen seems to have cleaned itself.


All and all, it was a fabulous holiday made even better with the presence of our Colombian family. We may only share 3 months together but it is a lifetime of experience and for that I am truly thankful!

Now, it is time to let the tryptophan take full effect. Sweet Dreams!

Colombia: The Only Risk Is Wanting to Stay

(I have to thank Laura and David for this connection.)

Here is the new tourism campaign for Colombia. It is a create concept playing on the risk factor of visiting the country. Here is for you all to enjoy and to see how create it could be to come for a visit!

Colombia: The Only Risk Is Wanting to Stay

Turkeypalooza 2008: Take 3 (bird is the word)

No One Gets Out of Here Without a Bird. . .

Laura and I returned to the scene of the crime and this time we meant business. . . and I wasn't just talking turkey!

Our friendly customer service friend eagerly greeted us at the desk - after a brief wait and the attending of numerous other customers. We finished the remainder of our paper work and were whisked off to the meat department.

Surprise! The same meat man was busy working. Strangely, he was helping another senora and kept weighing turkey after turkey after turkey but no one was satisfied. Hmmmm.......

The answer: The deal rewards you with a turkey of 6 kilograms. He only had turkeys of 4 kilograms and 9 kilograms (and we weren't going to be shortchanged nor did we plan to pay more). We held firm. We pleaded our case. And we explained that in order to celebrate Thanksgiving on Sunday (already two days late) we needed at least one day to thaw this bird. The senora eagerly agreed - she understood our pain and was surprised that we hadn't already celebrated.

Miraculously, a 6.6 kilogram turkey appeared: the bonus, beyond the .6 extra kilograms, was that it was already marinated!

We walked out winners that night! Gooble! Gooble!

Turkeypalooza 2008: Take 2.0 (prep time)

Customer Service - Lost in Translation

As instructed, I diligently returned on Thursday evening to pick up the turkey...kind of my own personally way of celebrating Thanksgiving (not quite eating but at least holding a turkey). This visit helped me to realize how much I give thanks for Minnesota customer service (sorry DC, sometimes you still lack a little).

Here is how my Thanksgiving evening unfolded:

• I arrived at Olimpica and waited 15 minutes for Customer Service.
• Upon arrival, I explained my story and awaited another 30 while I was assisted along with the 10 other customers that came by...I enjoyed the two women that just decided to leave all their items on the counter.
• Finally, I filled out all the proper paperwork, only to discover...
• We purchased the wrong products - damn, Colgate:)
• I pleaded my case in Spanish and the kind customer service woman took pity on me. She wrong up the correct items without making me purchase anything additional.
• So, I was instructed to return for in 24 hours to pick up the turkey.

The saga continues...and I was off to a Mexican fiesta to celebrate Thankgiving. Yes, nothing says Happy Thanksgiving like margaritas, tacos, and a Christmas tree made of sombreros. Hopefully, I'll have pictures at some point:)

Turkeypalooza 2008: Take 1

In honor of my dear CKP (The Campus Kitchens Project), it is the time of year to celebrate Turkeypalooza...Thanksgiving has arrived!

As Thanksgiving is not a typical Colombian holiday, it took us a few attempts to get it right. Here you will find the development of our Colombian Thanksgiving: Turkeypalooza 2008!

The first step was to purchase the turkey. I ventured with Atlas Corps volunteers David and Laura (my colleagues, neighbors, and, above all, great friends:). We selected our neighborhood Olimpica supermarket. The reasons we like Olimpica:

1. It is near both of our apartments.
2. They sell turkeys.
3. They pump out 80s rock tunes at all hours...I almost whipped out the leg guitar.

So, they bonus was you could get a turkey if you purchased the correct Colgate products. And, yes, asked 3 employees to ensure we purchased the correct products. Of course, the catch: You have to return 24 hours later to receive your turkey because it takes that long for the points to be uploaded to your Olimpica card.

No worries. We left with our receipt, other holiday ingredients, and a plan to return tomorrow...

Let's Get Fresh!

Yes, it was market day today! After weeks of watching Don Pedro on my favorite morning news show (Arriba, Bogota) give the morning updates surrounded by fresh fruits and veggies, I finally visited the promise land: Plaza de Mercado de Paloquemao.

Stop #1: Flower Stands
The intense fragrance, the vibrant colors, and the ever so friendly vendors (yes, many thought we were from exotic lands like France and Australia) invigorated the senses. I have never seen such an extraordinary display...in a parking lot. It was great. And, just when you thought it couldn't get any better, the prices were amazing. I purchased 2 dozens sweetheart roses for $1.00.

Stop #2: Food Stands
One step inside the main market and I was overcome with an overwhelming urge to become completely vegetarian. We were surrounded by produce - so fresh, so large, and at such a great price. I can just imagine when the European explorers arrived how confused they must have been. There were fruits and vegetables here that I still hadn't even heard of though I was ever so eager to give them a try. Of course, beyond the produce, a major highlight is that you can actually select your live chicken on site before it is made "ready to cook."

Stop #3: San Andrecito
Next stop was everyone's favorite block of discount retailers. They sell everything from D&G to Puma to High School Musical 3 - yes, I am sure it is a legitimate copy - all at a buen precio! From what they tell me, this spot is only one of many locations with such bargains. Each one focuses on a certain class of product. Here, I sensed more of the electronics field. I think another day we shall venture to the clothing local. Here, the major highlight was the fresh lechon which was actually an entire pig with the head still attached. . .and which tasted divine!

All that Glitters Is Gold: Museo del Oro

Back and badder than ever, Colombia's famous Museo del Oro is open once again. The museum truly highlights the beautiful , golden history of Colombia's indigenous past. I admit that I have never seen so many gold items in one place at one time.

A fun part of the tourist experience was participating with InterNations - an online network of expats around the whole from countries around the world. In our little day trip, we were joined by Colombians, Germans, Americans, and Dutch. A friend invited me to join the group and not only do we have the museum tour but book club meets next week . . . yes, I am turning into a mega-nerd. You know me, anything to meet new people:)

PS I would just like to add that once again, we were followed by the press. This time RCN was in the house filming the newly opened local . . . and I am sure following us!