Spring Break Reflections
The two weeks of hibernation are over and Tremendous Trifles is back on the air! [crowd goes wild, fireworks shoot off into the sky, etc.]Did you miss me? Good. I'd like to say I missed you too, but I was too busy having ridiculous amounts of fun in Bogotá, Colombia. Seriously speaking, it was a really great trip and I'm really thankful to God for it. I was able to spend some quality time with my maternal grandparents as well as my cousins, whom I hadn't seen in several years. Ahead are some random reflections from the trip:
- My family is freakin' awesome. Each one of them has something really special and interesting about them, starting with my grandfather. It was inspiring and really humbling to sit down and listen to his stories - it would seem like there is nothing this man has not done. I was especially amazed when he told me about a student strike that he led as a high school senior (when he was only eighteen), which eventually spread throughout the country, achieved its goal of abolishing a set of hated state exams, and even cost the minister of education his job. It also allowed him to meet political figures like Mariano Ospina Pérez and Alberto Lleras Camargo, whom all Colombian children learn about in their history textbooks. It kind of makes me feel silly that at twenty-one, getting good grades in class still rates among my most impressive accomplishments.
- People can surprise you. My aunt, who has a mental disorder and who I never really paid much attention to, is actually a pretty smart and rather interesting person. It turns out that despite her condition, she is a busy student of theology and amateur writer. She has already written a short book on Padre Pio, and is currently working on an anthology about the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as a novel. We had a few conversations, though it was difficult to communicate as one normally would because of the way her mind works. Still, I was very impressed and surprised.
- Colombia is a nice place, and Bogotá is a really interesting city. It really is a metropolis with a little bit of everything, from historic, colonial neighborhoods to modern business sectors. Clubs and the party scene in general are really enjoyable there. Within the same night, one can dance to very different styles of music including salsa, merengue, vallenato, pop, trance/techno, rock, and even (rather regrettably) reggeaton. Though there is certainly drinking involved, that is not the central part of the night, making the experience more dynamic and even joyful.
- On the negative side, the faith in Colombia seems to be in trouble among the youth. From what I could gather, the Church's beliefs are perceived as antiquated and even arbitrary among young members of the socioeconomic and intellectual elites. There may well be groups of young and educated Catholics standing up for their faith, but I don't know where they are. There is a great need for serious education about the faith, evangelization and apologetics among the youth. The Church can answer the challenges of the modern world, and we must help young people in Colombia (as well as everywhere else) become aware of this fact.
- Closely connected to this deterioration of the faith, I sensed a significant amount of moral, social and cultural corruption that I hadn't in the past (probably because I was not old enough to become aware of it). I was especially shocked to learn about what Colombians refer to as "Pre-paid" women, who are mid to upper social class university students, so concerned with leading a luxurious lifestyle, that they will prostitute themselves to affluent costumers. It seems that in today's world, some find designer clothing to be considerably more important than human dignity. Big surprise, huh?
- Abortion activists are working hard in Colombia and Latin America as a whole. My cousins were well acquainted with imported pro-choice rhetoric, although I was relieved to find out that they rejected such nonsense (even the ones that are not religious). Still Planned Parenthood has been pushing forth its agenda under an organization with the disturbingly ironic name of Pro-Familia, and many young people now consider legalized abortion to be the "progressive" option. Let's hope that Colombian pro-lifers will do their work and ensure that sanity remains the law of the land in regards to this issue.
- Back to more positive things, Colombian food is great, the people are warm and friendly, and the countryside is beautiful. I love mountains. I love Spanish colonial architecture. I love looking at faces that have something indescribable but uniquely Colombian about them. I love my family.
- I'm thinking that my love for the Church and Colombia might be connected in God's plan for my life, though I don't really know in what way. I have no clue in what part of the world I'll end up living, but I'm thinking that wherever that is, aiding people and the Church in Colombia ought to be among my top priorities.
- For the first time in a while, I experienced how it feels to have no pressing responsibilities. I have grown so unaccustomed to this feeling that I actually could not identify what it was until today when classes started again. It was almost like being in another world.
- There is nothing like seeing and old friend after a long time, and feeling like you had never gone away at all.
- What an awesome and needed break. Thank you God!
posted by ertandberni @ 9:00 PM
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