, you are never truly alone. You are raised by a village of tías (aunts), primas , and vecinas . Privacy is a foreign concept. If you fell off your bike, five women would rush out with agua de panela and judgmental clucks about how you “se cayó porque estaba despeinada” (you fell because your hair was messy).
As a Little Girl Growing Up in Colombia: A Tapestry of Color, Coffee, and Resilience
Childhood in Colombia is punctuated by traditions that feel like magic. There is the Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles) in December, where you join your neighbors in lining the streets with thousands of candles to light the way for the Virgin Mary. There are the local ferias and carnivals where the streets explode in feathers, sequins, and drums. as a little girl growing up in colombia
As a little girl growing up in Colombia, I was surrounded by a world of vibrant colors, rich culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the lush rainforests of the Amazon, my childhood was a journey of discovery and wonder.
My Colombia was not a country; it was a series of vivid, tangible places. , my backyard was a finca (farm) in the hills outside Medellín, where the eternal spring made the orchids bloom out of control. My grandmother, Abuela Elena , taught me to pick coffee beans before I could tie my shoes. She would place a basket in my tiny hands and say, “Recoge solo los rojos, princesa. Los verdes aún están soñando.” (Pick only the red ones, princess. The green ones are still dreaming.) , you are never truly alone
Despite these challenges, Colombians are a resilient people, and we've always found ways to come together and support one another. From the community-led initiatives to the family gatherings and celebrations, there's a strong sense of solidarity and connection in Colombia that I think is truly unique.
Life in Colombia for a young girl is deeply rooted in the warmth of community and the complex layers of family. Sundays are not just days of rest; they are grand reunions. I remember the ritual of crowded dining tables where the steam from a bowl of ajiaco or sancocho rose like a fog, and the conversation was as rich as the food. In these moments, I learned that a house is never truly full if there is room for one more chair. If you fell off your bike, five women
One of my favorite memories as a little girl growing up in Colombia was attending the Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival) in Medellín. The whole city would come alive with music, dance, and color, as we celebrated the beauty and diversity of our country. I'd watch in awe as the parade of floats and marching bands made their way through the streets, and I'd marvel at the stunning displays of flowers and handicrafts on display.