My New Life in Colombia

Five years ago, when I first entered college, if somebody were to tell me I was going to be a television news reporter in Bogotá, Colombia, I would say, “What the hell are you talking about?” It’s absolutely amazing where life takes you. All of the changes that have occurred this year have been so dramatic. I’m going to nickname 2008 the “year of surprises,” because I have literally received a surprise (both good and bad) every single week of the year.

And, wow! What a dramatic turn of events it’s already been in Colombia! I honestly wish I could write everything that has occurred since I’ve arrived in Colombia two and a half weeks ago, but everyday has been such an adventure that I cannot possibly write everything down. If anything, I’ll have to reserve those memories for my pictures.

The reason why I haven’t been able to write anything is because I am now working as a contributor for RCN News in English. For those who aren’t familiar with Colombia, RCN is Colombia’s largest television network. Thanks to the efforts of top Miami television journalist Brian Andrews, RCN now has its own newscast in English, and I am happy to say that I now work with Brian as a contributing reporter, anchor and producer for the news in English.

Because this opportunity worked out so quickly for me, this radically my original plans (in a good way, of course!). I have to now remain in Bogotá to work at my dream job, while Jorge had to leave for Medellín to pursue his own plans, meaning that Jorge will no longer be writing in this blog.

The first city we saw in Colombia from our flight from Miami was Barranquilla. From no sleep, I was feeling very exhausted, so my excitement at arriving to Colombia wasn’t as strong as I thought it would be. It had me reflect, however, as to how much work I had spent on preparing this trip. All the research, all the learning, all the emotional distress of telling your family that you’re going to a foreign country, not sure when you’ll return; when you want to follow your heart, you have to prepare yourself for the critical beatings that are to come. Even your own head will call yourself crazy. But instead of fighting with yourself, you need to have your head work with your heart to find a way to make your heart’s desire possible.

I stared at the lush landscape for a few minutes more, so happy I finally was able to see Colombia again. Even though my outside excitement was contained by my exhaustion, I was, however, so content and so relieved I was finally in this country. Colombia was a long-lost love I never thought I would see again. I had done so much to plan my trip, and now here I was, in this beautiful country that has treated me so well.

After my opportunity worked out at RCN, it was a somewhat difficult decision to stay in Bogotá. For one, I had no idea RCN would work out so quickly, so rapidly. Second, I had been dying to return to Medellín, the city that had me fall in love with Colombia so passionately. I did, however, come here to start a new life, and a new career, and the moment Brian Andrews put me on his newscast, I stayed, doing the one thing I love in the one country I love so dearly. Medellín can most definitely wait.

Bogotá, of course, is very beautiful in itself. I already love the city and am already proud to call this place my home. And, just like Medellín, I have already met several genuinely nice people you can only meet in Colombia. I’ve made several friends already and right here, in Colombia, I feel like I’m becoming somebody… I feel like I can accomplish a lot, and now my life, along with my job now has a lot of meaning. I also have a feeling that I can meet the love of my life here because it is only here in Colombia where you can meet a woman who is not only beautiful on the outside but beautiful on the inside as well.

Yes, when you see the beautiful women that Colombia has to offer, you get into a very romantic mindset. But like every other human being, I’ve had my heart broken several times, so this time I’m going to be very careful in my choosing. My father always told me that you know when you meet your soul mate. The feeling is so strong and so obvious. I suppose then, it will be a very similar feeling to the one that told me to go to Colombia. It was so strong that I knew it was God’s calling for me.

Like I said before, follow your heart, but let your head guide you in the most difficult of decisions. Your heart knows what’s best for you but your head can help you survive the most difficult of situations.

I'm not expecting myself to be famous nor to have a lot of money. In fact, I really don't want any of those because those are only added bonuses. I learned that best through meeting some poor people last year in Medellín; they were the happiest people I had ever met –– and that’s exactly what I want. The only thing I want to be in my life right now is happy, and I feel that now by living in the beautiful country that is Colombia.

In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying everything that Bogotá has to offer. I did all the “tourist” things my first couple weeks here. I visited La Candelaria, a gorgeous historic section of the city, and I took a peak at the gorgeous landscape from Torre Colpatria –– the tallest building in Colombia –– and, of course climbed Monserrate. Ok, maybe I didn’t climb it, but I did walk down, which was tiring enough with the steep stairs and thin air.

The air of Colombia has a very unique smell. Every morning, when I walk out the door, I always take a deep breath of air, and a sudden surge of satisfaction rushes through my veins and my heart. I go into a taxi, and listen to vallenato play from the driver’s radio, and I then smile as I look at the beautiful yellow, blue and red flag of Colombia, and peek at the giant green mountains in the distance. I relax and feel so happy and so satisfied to be here.

COLOMBIA: My Life's Dream

By Gary Parkosewich
Para español, haga clic aquí

For those looking for a little slice of heaven on Earth, look no further than the little-known country of Colombia.

My name is Gary Parkosewich and I recently graduated in journalism –– specializing in broadcasting –– from the University of Connecticut. I’m a big dreamer and I always follow my heart, and right now my heart is in Colombia

The story as to how I fell in love with Colombia started last year. I was given the opportunity to travel to Medellín in May for two weeks, and since I had heard some great things about Colombia – especially as to how safe it had become – I decided to take it.

But even though I had heard so many good things about Colombia, I was just like the average gringo and still a little skeptical about it. I knew I would still enjoy myself down in Medellín but I had absolutely no idea that I would fall in love with it the way that I did.

When I first arrived in Medellín, I had realized that Colombia was the one place in my life I had been always searching for, from its breathtaking landscape, to the warm weather, to the delicious food, and to – of course – the beautiful women. Most importantly though was the genuine, warm compassion I received from Colombia’s admiringly humble people that is unlike anything I have experienced in my life, and since then, not one day has not passed where I have not stopped thinking of Colombia. The effect that the country had on me had changed me so much that it inspired me to move to this country and begin a new life here.

When I returned to the United States after those two wonderful weeks in Medellín, I remember feeling happy of the fact that I had discovered the most wonderful place in the world yet sad at the fact that I had left it. Either way, I had become obsessed with Colombia, constantly dreaming of returning. Anytime I listened to music, I no longer listened to my collection of rock music. Instead, I began listening only to vallenato, salsa and reggaeton.

And then, the worst thing that happens to almost every human being had happened to me, and for many months, I did not think that I would be able to visit Colombia again. I would spend at least a half hour every night before going to bed staring at a panoramic picture I had taken of Medellín, pretending that I was standing in that same spot again, feeling the warm air wrap itself around my body while admiring every little green curve and dent of the mountains.

It was during this time I also tried to give-up my dream of returning to Colombia. I tried to stop listening to vallenatos, and I even considered dropping my intermediate Spanish II course, since I did not see the point of trying to study the language of a country I was no longer going to see.

And then, the strangest things started to happen: signs began appearing; doors began opening; and something in my heart began to tell me to not forget about Colombia just yet; to keep studying Spanish, to always keep Colombia in my mind, for an opportunity to return will come; just be patient. I even began seeing patterns of yellow, red and blue –– the pattern of the Colombian flag –– pop up in the most oddest of places.

Eventually, through my roommates, I began to meet friends who were friends of many latino people, some of them Colombian. Through these friends I began to bring Colombia back into my life to the fullest extent.

It was during this time period that I met my best friend, and travel companion to Colombia, Jorge Aguilar. Jorge grew up in Medellín and moved to the U.S. with his family when he was 13.

Jorge visited Medellín again for many months last year, and not only was he there at the same time I was, but he was also staying very close to the barrio (neighborhood) I had been staying in and even walked through the same little park that I used to walk through almost every morning to get breakfast. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had crossed each other’s paths during my two weeks in Medellín.

I have learned more about Spanish and Colombian culture more from Jorge than I have from any other person. Our thoughts, views and values on life are very much the same; the only major difference being is that he’s an Independiente Medellín soccer fan while I like Atlético Nacional, the cross-town rival.

But much thanks to Jorge, it wasn’t until a few days before my college graduation where I had begun to seriously consider the idea of returning to Colombia; this time with him and another good Colombian friend of mine, Randy (who is also a broadcast journalist like me, and an excellent one too) but things unfortunately didn’t work out with Randy, so it then became just me and Jorge.

There were times I began to question returning there but I began to notice that every time I had hit a brick wall, another door would suddenly open for me. I do not know exactly what is waiting for me down in Colombia, but I do know that it is something special; something that will impact my life in the most positive way.

Our itinerary goes as follows: Jorge and I will arrive in Bogotá on Oct. 16 and we’ll stay there for about a week (maybe more, maybe less; it all depends on what’s going on). Since I haven’t visited Bogotá yet, I would love to take in some of the sights, not to mention meet some new friends I have already made there. Then, once we’re done with Colombia’s capital, we’ll head to Medellín where we’ll stay for the remainder of the trip.

Once we're in Medellín, we may travel to nearby towns such as Manizales, Pereira, Montería, Guatapé, Santa Fe de Antioquia, etc. All we know is that we have lots of options and lots of adventures to look forward to. Most of our time, however, will be spent in Medellín, and I could not have asked for a better guide than Jorge who knows the city street-by-street.

Since I graduated in journalism, specializing in broadcasting, I will be making some video news stories for my demo tape, which all will be posted here in this blog. In the meantime, I’ll also be pursuing some journalism opportunities there. My dream job, right now, would be to work as a broadcast journalist in Colombia.

My goal in life is to be happy, and from what I’ve already seen in Colombia, I already know that I can live a very happy life there. Money, to me, isn’t as important, and that’s the way it is for many Colombians. I remember one good man say to me in Medellín, “Soy pobre pero soy feliz en mi corazón” (I’m poor but I’m happy in my heart), and to me, that’s the way life should be lived.

I’m young, I’m single, I have no commitments, nor a job (yet), so for me, right now is the only opportunity I have in life to take this chance. My heart has never felt so strongly about making a decision this big before. For me, if you think of a crazy idea from the heart, then you should follow it, for the heart always knows something a little more than the head. The head can think but it cannot feel the future, and from what I know from my heart, my future is in Colombia.

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COLOMBIA: El Sueño de Mi Vida
Por Gary Parkosewich
For English, click here

Para aquellos que buscan un pedacito del paraíso terrenal, no busquen más allá de un país poco conocido llamado Colombia.

Mi nombre es Gary Parkosewich y recientemente me gradué de periodismo de la Universidad de Connecticut, especializándome en difusión televisiva. Soy un gran soñador que siempre sigue lo que dice su corazón, y mi corazón en estos momentos está en Colombia.

La historia de cómo me enamoré de Colombia, comienza el año pasado. Tuve la oportunidad de viajar a Medellín en mayo, por dos semanas, y como ya había oído muchas cosas de Colombia – especialmente lo segura que se había vuelto – decidí tomarla.

Pero aún después de haber oído tantas cosas sobre Colombia, yo aún era el gringo promedio y me mostraba escéptico ante el viaje. Sabía que ir a Medellín, sería divertido, pero no tenía ni idea que me terminaría enamorándome así.

Cuando llegué a Medellín, me di cuenta que Colombia era el lugar había estado buscando toda mi vida por sus fascinantes paisajes, su clima cálido, su comida deliciosa y sí – por supuesto – sus hermosas mujeres. Lo más importante, sin embargo, fue el caluroso afecto que recibí de la gente humilde de Colombia; algo que nunca me había ocurrido en mi vida. Desde entonces no hago más que pensar en Colombia y no ha pasado un día en que no lo haga. El efecto que tuvo ese país en mi me ha cambiado para siempre, inspirándome a mudarme allí para empezar una nueva vida.

De regreso en los Estados Unidos y luego de esas maravillosas dos semanas en Medellín, recordé lo feliz que fui al sentir que había descubierto el lugar más maravilloso del planeta y me embargaba la tristeza al saber que ya no estaba allí. El daño estaba hecho. Me había obsesionado con Colombia y constantemente soñaba con volver. Ahora al escuchar música, ya no buscaba mi colección de rock, sino que aprendía las letras de vallenatos, salsa y reggaeton.

Y luego, me ocurrió una de las peores cosas que le pueden pasar a un ser humano; por muchos meses, pensé que nunca más tendría oportunidad de visitar Colombia. Todas las noches, pasaba casi media hora, justo antes de irme a dormir, contemplando una panorámica que había tomado de Medellín. Pretendía estar parado en el mismo punto, sintiendo el aire cálido que me envolvía el cuerpo, mientras admiraba cada verdor, cada curva de aquellas colosales montañas.

Fue por estos tiempos que intenté abandonar mi sueño de volver a Colombia. Traté de dejar de escuchar vallenatos y hasta consideré salirme de mi clase de español intermedio de segundo nivel, al considerar que ya no me haría falta pues nunca más habría de volver.

Fue así, que una serie de cosas extrañas comenzaron a ocurrir: señales empezaban a aparecer, puertas que parecían abrirse y algo en mi corazón comenzaba a decirme que no me olvidara todavía de Colombia, que siguiera estudiando español. Debía mantener a Colombia en mi mente, pues una oportunidad para volver me estaría esperando, era sólo cuestión de paciencia. Comencé a ver patrones de amarillo, azul y rojo – los colores de la bandera colombiana – en los lugares más inusuales.

Eventualmente, a través de mis compañeros, comencé a conocer bastantes amigo latinos, algunos de ellos colombianos. A través mis nuevos amigos, me aseguré de traer a Colombia de nuevo a mi vida al máximo.

Fue por estas fechas que conocí a mi mejor amigo y compañero de viaje, Jorge Aguilar. Jorge nació en Medellín y se mudó a los Estados Unidos con su familia a los 13 años.

El año pasado, Jorge estuvo en Medellín por varios meses. De hecho, ambos estuvimos allí por las mismas fechas. Jorge se quedó en un barrio cercano al que yo me quedé y hasta caminaba por el mismo parque por el que yo caminaba cada mañana para comprar mi desayuno. No me sorprendería en lo más mínimo saber que ambos nos cruzamos durante mi estadía de dos semanas en Medellín.

He aprendido mucho más español y cultura colombiana con Jorge, con cualquier otra persona. Nuestros pensamientos, nuestros puntos de vista y nuestros valores en la vida son casi iguales; la única diferencia insalvable es que él es hincha del Independiente Medellín, mientras yo soy hincha del Atlético Nacional, rivales en el fútbol medellinense.

Pero gracias a Jorge, a escasos días de graduarme, comencé a considerar seriamente la idea de volver a Colombia. Esta vez con él y otro gran amigo colombiano llamado Randy (quién también es graduado en periodismo televisivo como yo y que posee un gran talento dicho sea de paso). Desafortunadamente las cosas con Randy no salieron, así que seríamos sólo Jorge y yo.

Hubo momentos en los que comencé a cuestionar el viaje, pero fue entonces que comencé a notar que cada vez que me encontraba frente a un muro sin salida, una puerta nueva se abría frente a mí. Aún no sé exactamente que me espera en Colombia, pero sé que ha de ser algo especial, algo que tendrá un impacto positivo en mi vida.

Nuestro itinerario será el siguiente: Jorge y yo llegaremos a Bogotá en octubre 16 y allí estaremos una semana (quizás más, quizás menos, dependiendo de lo que pase). Como aún no he visitado Bogotá, me gustaría recorrer sus puntos de interés y encontrarme con algunas amistades que he hecho allí. Una vez acabemos con la capital, proseguiremos a Medellín, donde nos quedaremos por el resto del viaje.

Una vez en Medellín, viajaremos a algunas ciudades y pueblos cercanos como Manizales, Pereira, Montería, Guatapé, Santa Fe de Antioquia, etc. Todo lo que sé, es que tenemos muchas opciones y un montón de aventuras frente a nosotros. La mayor parte del tiempo la pasaremos en Medellín y no podía pedir mejor guía que Jorge, quien conoce la ciudad palmo a palmo.

Como me gradué hace poco en periodismo televisivo, estaré haciendo video reportajes noticiosos para mi video de muestra, los cuales subiré a este blog. De igual forma, estaré buscando oportunidades laborales allí. Sueño con poder trabajar como periodista televisivo en Colombia.

Mi meta en la vida es ser feliz y por lo que he visto en Colombia, Sé que allí podré ser feliz plenamente. Para mi el dinero no es tan importante y tampoco lo es para muchos colombiano. Recuerdo a un buen colombiano que alguna vez me dijo «Soy pobre pero soy feliz en mi corazón» y es así como se debe vivir la vida.

Soy joven, soltero y no tengo compromisos, ni trabajo (todavía), así que para mí, es la única oportunidad y debo tomar esta oportunidad. Mi corazón nunca se ha sentido tan decidido al tomar una decisión tan trascendental como esta. Pienso que cuando uno tiene una idea loca que viene del corazón, entonces se debe seguirla, pues el corazón siempre sabe algo más que la cabeza no sabe. La cabeza piensa, sí, pero no siente el futuro y desde mi corazón sé que mi futuro es Colombia.