Chucula

The indigenous people of Columbia used to say, "Coco is the food of the gods." 

A few weekends ago I had the privilege to go to an event called "La Paztelería del Meg." pastelería means bakery, and paz mean peace. This peace event was hosted by one of the Mennonite Churches in Colombia. As we talked about conflicts in Colombia while we made Chucula. Chucula is a drink found only in Colombia. It contains coco which gives it a chocolate flavor, various spices, and grains. Growing coco has been a way to bring peace in Colombia. Some producers have replaced cocaine with coco thereby promoting peace. 

During this peace event, we took part in producing Chucula. Ingredients include: 

• Cain Sugar (Panela) 
• Coco (unsweetened and natural) 
• Corn 
• Oats 
• Lentils 
• Chickpeas 
• Cinnamon 
• Cloves

Some of the grains used

First, grind up all the grains and spices into powder. Unfortunately, the spices and grains were already ground when we arrived so I was not able to determine the quantities. 

Second, melt the panela or cane sugar and add a little bit of water until it becomes dense and almost paste like. 

Third, mix the melted cane sugar and ground-up grains and spices with your hands. The mixture becomes something like wet sand. Shape them into golf-size balls. 

The cain sugar melted down and mixed through

Fourth, let the balls of chucula sit for 15 days, in order to dry. 

Finally, after the fifteen days, it is ready to be made into a drink. Put one ball into a pot with milk and brink it to a boil. Continue to boil and mix until the grains become soft. The flavor is delicious and holds the taste of hot chocolate, aqua panela, and spices. The grains add a hardiness without tasting the grains. Although it is not a drink typical to Bogota, you can still find and buy packets of the dried Chucula ready to boil and enjoy. 

Bread and Chucula

The final product

The Full House

So far, my time in Colombia has flown by. I can’t believe that it’s been a little bit over a month since I moved to Bogotá! The first two weeks in Colombia really enhanced my experience. It was all about learning, as in where to buy food, what Spanish words and phrases to say, and how to get around to the office and such. It was also a friendship experience. I made great friends with my house mates who were all working with Mennonite Central Committee: SALT (Serving And Learning Together), YAMEN (The Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network), and SEED (not sure what the acronym stands for).

It was an orientation time for the SALT and YAMEN participants since we were beginning our one year of service. The SEEDers had already been in Colombia for a little more than a year and were all in Bogotá for meetings. This meant that there were nine of us in one house, with one bathroom and three bedrooms. Living in such a small place with so many people had its complications, but overall it was fun. Since most of us were from different countries, we shared cultural meals and ate altogether for breakfast and dinner. 

A picture of most of us eating dinner together around our small table. Photo: Albin

Here were some of my housemates: 

Easter

• YAMENer from India serving in La Mesa, Colombia, teaching English.
• Most popular quotes: “I will kill you,” “Oh what to do?” 
• Known for performing open heart surgery (as a nurse in India) and delivering babies. 
• Not afraid to talk to anyone (in Colombia) in English, and when they don't understand calls Sarahi over to help (she doesn't alway understand Easter either). 
• The main cook in the house. 
• Puts “aji” (a Colombian Hot Sauce) on all the Colombian foods. 
• Also known for performing the “snake dance” and taking selfies with EVERYTHING. 

Easter and Julian performing the "Snake Dance" with a local street artist

Sarahi

• YAMENer from Mexico serving in Ecuador, working with children.
• Because her first language is Spanish she laughs at everything we say in Spanish. 
• Very much a part of our store and shopping adventures 
• Our translator when we didn't know how to say something while also trying to understand our English. 
• Brought Mexican salsas in her suitcase to make up for the lack of spicy food in Colombia. 
• Most popular quote: “video, video” in order to capture all the things we say and do. 

Kiernan

• SALTer from the United States serving in Quito, Ecuador working with refugees. 
• Known for having the hardest name to pronounce.
• Really devoted to learning Spanish (his girlfriend is Venezuelan). 
• Was our bridge translator to Sarahi and the rest of us.
• Known also for making sure everyone left the house on time.

Santos

• YAMENer from Mozambique serving in Bogotá, Colombia, working with youth and children.
• First and main language is Portuguese; the rest of us spoke a mixture of Spanish and English with him. 
• Known for his descriptive stories and parables 
• A very strong speaker. 
• Would make Sarahi translate his Portuguese in to Spanish, and Kiernan translate Sarahi’s Spanish into English. (Often this did not work, but we tried). 

Santos speaking Portuguese, trying to get Sarahi to translate into Spanish, and Sarahi not understanding. 

Julian

• YAMENer from Indonesia serving in Cali, Colombia, teaching English 
• Also determined to learn Spanish and has a journal for all the Spanish he learns every day: listed “Day 1 of Spanish”, “Day 2 of Spanish”, and so on…
• Most popular quotes: “no sé, no sé” and “vamos chicos” 
• Known for making jokes about potatoes and Pope Francis: “papa? Papa Francisco?” 
• Would say "no sé" to anything that he didn't understand or know how to say. 
• Determined to learn to dance Salsa (he is working in the right city to learn).
• Also know for live streaming our meals on Instagram. 

Josiel

• SEEDer from Colombia serving in Soacha, Colombia.
• Quote: “She is Pretty/Ugly lady” referring usually to Albin. 
• Loves his nephew. 
• Would practice his English with me and I would practice Spanish with him

Albin

• SEEDer from Colombia serving near/in Cali, Colombia 
• Most heard quote from him: “Shut-up Donkey” from Shrek. 
• Known for making dream catchers and bracelets. 
• At times would check/grade my Spanish homework before I gave it to my teacher. 
• You could find him drinking “Mate” out of a cow horn. 

Daniel 

• SEEDer from New Zealand and Canada, serving in Choco Colombia. 
• Most used saying: “At the end of the day…”
• Known for being philosophical and having deep conversations and thoughts.
• Also served as one of our other translators. 

Although we are now each in our separate locations, I’m glad for the time that I was able to spend with and build relationship with these incredible in Colombia. 

Chocolate con Queso

Now that I have lived in Colombia for about three weeks, I decided to put together a list of things that I have learned about Colombia since I have been here.  

• Bogotá is the Capital city (also the city I live in) and contains about 8 million people which is just a bit smaller compared to NYC (used google to compare). 

The City of Bogotá

• Bogotá is located just a few degrees above the equator and is about 2,640 m (8,660 ft) above sea level, that is about 1030 m above Denver Colorado. This gives Bogotá a cool, Fall like weather year round (according to google). 

Elevation of Monserrate (Look out over the city of Bogotá)

On top of Monserrate

• The main religion in Catholicism, and when Pope Francis (Papa Francisco) came it was declared a holiday. 

• The main language in Colombia is Spanish (I’m sure you already knew that) although there are a few indigenous people who still speak their own local/tribal languages. 

Some tribal style jewelry

• The main public transportation system in Bogotá is by bus, the Trans Millennial is the main bus line and takes you across the city fast. This is also how I get to work every day. 

• Colombia has been in a civil war for over 50 years (some argue more, and some argue less, depends on who you talk to).

• Young Colombian guys at the age of 18 must join the military, otherwise they have to pay a high fee to get out of it. 

• Lunch is the main meal of the day, which usually consists of two or three main carbs (rice, potato, yams, plantains, or yucca root for example). And can also include soup, a meat, a salad, juice, and maybe a desert. 

Photo of a fried Plantain with salad, chips and cheese on it. Not a typical lunch, more of a fast food thing.

More traditional foods found in the tourist areas. 

• For dinner, many Colombians will eat something small, like a snack. At my host family’s house we will have hot chocolate and arepas, plain or with cheese (not really sure what they are are, but they are good).

• Many Colombians are not a fan of spicy food. Although there is this salsa called “Aji,” that adds a little bit of spice and a little bit more flavor. I really like it!

• It is common for people in Colombia to put cheese in their Hot Chocolate (Chocolate con Queso). So when I come back to the United States and start putting cheese in my hot chocolate, you would know why. 

• In Colombia if you want black coffee you need to ask for café tinto or just tinto, and if you want café con leche (coffee with milk), you ask for café. 

Café Bon Bon

• Bogotá is a very artsy place with a lot of graffiti and street art. 

• Most people in Colombia do not drink the “good Colombian coffee” most North Americans know of since the good coffee is shipped to North America. 

• Lastly, never tell a Colombian that you are from “America” or that you are “American.” You will be told that the Americas also include North, South and Central which also includes Colombians making them also American. 

So far I have really enjoyed my time here in getting to know Colombia. 

Friends, Family and Orientation

My last two weeks in Michigan, have been busy with packing, writing "Thank You” cards, and saying goodbyes. Over the past five years that I have lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan I have made some really good friends, friends that I believe may last a life time. One of the hardest things for me about leaving is having to say good bye to good friends and family. Although it was hard to say goodbye, I was also excited to meet new people at orientation and to begin my journey. 

The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) orientation was held in Akron Pennsylvania, at what was known as “the Meeting Place.” We were split up by houses named after the continents. 

At orientation there were SALTers, (Serving and Learning tougher) or those who were going to be serving over seas from United States and Canada, as well as IVEPers (International Volunteer Exchange Program) who came from other countries and will be serving in United States or Canada. I was blessed to be able to room with a girl from Colombia where I was heading. That way I was able to learn more about Colombia from a Colombian before I got there.  

Throughout the orientation days at Akron, we had meetings and devotions. Meetings on the history of Mennonite Central Committee, rules, cultural differences, as well as communication. Even though our days were busy we we able to have some free time and get to know each other. 

Here are just a few photos that before I left Michigan…

My family & Micah's friend

Some of the best friends I could ever ask for! Friends from Michigan.

Carmen, Anna, Hanfei, Prasoon, Kwesi, Me, Ayo, Nicki

Here are just a few photos that I took over the orientation…

My friends Zack (USA) and Rocky (Bangladesh)

A group of the Internationals IVEPers

Rocky and the Leaders

Helping out with dishes

The house I lived in for a a week: The Middle East House

The friendships 

My roommate Nasley dressed in traditional Colombian outfit

It was a fun week meeting people and learning about Mennonite Central Comittee. 

Wine and Canvas Fundraiser

ONE WEEK! Just one week left until I start my new adventure, with Mennonite Central Committee as a “SALT’er” (Service And Learning Together). For the past few months I have been preparing for my leave; raising money, learning Spanish through the app Duolingo, scheduling my doctors appointments and in the last couple of weeks saying “goodbye.”

I love planning events and figured that hosting a special event would be a fun way to raise money for MCC and my support. With the help of my family, I planned a “Wine and Canvas Fundraiser.” I began by creating and sending out personal invites to people who we believed would be interested. We served a variety of breads, cheeses, dips, and wines. A family friend from church played her cello as people walked in and socialized. My sister, Natasha lead the guests in painting a Colombian landscape. The night was a success in that I was able to raise over $1,000 for my trip and had a great time as well.

The table setting

Natasha leading the painting of the Colombian Landscape

Friends, family, and church members came out to show their support and to have fun

Friends working on their paintings

Kwesi repeatedly saying: "Ayo would love this!"

The Van Dam volunteer after party