Dodging cows, not bullets in Colombia
A herd of cattle blocks the road toward the rural village of Corinto.
(Credit: Ina Fried/CNET News.com)CORINTO, Colombia--It was easy for the kids at the rural school to see I had arrived.
Even if they didn't see the van carrying myself and Microsoft executive Orlando Ayala, it was hard to miss the 20 or so soldiers that accompanied us in a convoy.
Click here to read all of the stories in The Borders of Computing series.
The military escort was not just a sign of the esteem that Ayala is held in--though the Colombian native is something of a favorite son here--but rather an indicator of the danger that remains in the area in an around Corinto. Though its just 30-some miles from Cali, the area is not far from rebel strongholds.
At one point on our way there, the road was blocked by a herd of rather skinny cattle. Though on its face amusing (and definitely a Kodak moment), their presence was unsettling to even some of the Colombians in the van. Such incidents can be a diversion to initiate a kidnapping. Thankfully the cows were just cows.
Though the trip into the countryside had some risk, it feels important to write about people that are trying to move forward, even as the conflict remains close to their homes. The visit was particularly powerful for me, having known someone in high school, Terry Freitas, who was later kidnapped and killed near the Colombian-Venezuelan border.
In Corinto, I saw students thrilled by the opportunity to use decade-old technology and a mayor and principal pleading for the more modern computers that could make an even greater impact. I was also struck by the teacher who helped the students with the computers--a zoologist who moved back to Corinto to help improve the education in the town where she grew up.
I also had a chance to tour the factory where workers painstakingly refurbish the computers that end up in places like Corinto. The program, Computadores para Educar (Computers for Education) refurbishes more than 20,000 computers a year. Although the machines are typically a few years old (the minimum specs are machines with Pentium II processors and 128MB of memory), a government study found that the computers the program refurbishes have roughly the same time before failing as new PCs, in part because of its rigorous process of cleaning and testing.
However, that painstaking process is costly, and the program often has to supplement donated computers with new parts. As a result, some say the $160 it costs to refurbish a computer may not be the best use of funds, when new machines, capable of running the latest software, can be had for around $280. It's a fascinating debate, and I plan to describe the program and its challenges more in a post that will go up in the next day or so.
I also doubt I will forget the torrential rain that came out of nowhere as we visited the peace park in Medellin, started by well-known Latin singer Juanes, who is also from Colombia. The rain was probably the hardest I have seen in my life, but lasted just five minutes or so. A few minutes later, the kids taking tennis lessons at the park were back outside playing around.
A Colombian boy plays in a heavy rain at Juanes de la Paz park in Medellin. The downpour lasted just five minutes.
(Credit: Ina Fried/CNET News.com)
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
Are you disappointed because you didn't have to dodge bullets?
I think is clear that Colombia is no longer as violent as it used to be, and you have seen that with your own eyes.
I would suggest a different title for your post: Dodging cows, NOT bullets.
The soldier presence was adequate because Orlando Ayala is a well known rich and famous colombian, odds are that he can be approached by an spontaneous, just like any other "rock star".
Colombia is safe, please don't make a bad idea about it. This were some of the important people that have been there and nothing happened:
- Orlando Ayala :D
- Bill Gates, George Bush, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Jamiroquai Condolezza Rice, Bon Jovi... and a lo more!
Visit Colombia!
It definitely put a smile on my face, reminded me of the time when a truck loaded with cows tipped over on the highway close to my school when I was in 6th grade. That day, the cows roamed freely in my own neighborhood, the streets crowded with people taking photographs.
To learn more about Medellin, Colomabia visit http://www.medellintraveler.com Vive Colombia!
http://www.virtualamericas.net/colombia/photos/landscape/rural/co0119.shtml
Tips on travel to Colombia can be found at http://www.paisatours.com - visit Colombia - everyone loves the country!
- by iGoNative April 14, 2009 6:40 AM PDT
- Nice article for more info on Colombia check out iGoNative.net
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(8 Comments)iGoNative is a dedicated Colombia Travel guide that highlights places of interest and aspects of local culture, iGoNative helps people experience Colombia and its culture like a native
http://www.igonative.net/