Kisses and Iguanas

Alternate Titles: What I Anticipate Missing, Reflections at Four Months Till Departure

Man oh man, there are days I remember my  first month living in Monteria and I am embarrassed; I was so negative, so unadaptive and narrow sighted. Today was one of those days… I found a list deep down in the notes app of my phone. A list of things I missed about my life in the states… It was written mid September and reads as follows:

No Iguanas 

Running in a sports bra and not getting cat-called

Hot showers 

Not looking gross and sweaty 24/7

It’s now February 7th. I leave Colombia on May 31st. I have exactly 113 days left and it does not feel like nearly enough time. So today, as a tribute to myself six months ago and as a nod to the importance of perspective, I’ve written a new list; a list of things I know I’ll miss come June 1st. 

Hugging and kissing people (on the cheek) everyday

The doormen of my building 

Riding a motorcycle every day 

The cocoa pods growing on my university’s campus

Mango juice, in massive styrofoam cups, available for delivery 24/7 from El Palacio de Los Jugos

Ronald, my crossfit coach 

Ari, Ronald’s wife 

Lorena, my dance teacher

Jesus, Lorena’s boyfriend (he dutifully watches all of our lessons)

The random woman who walks her dog through the park at the same time as my dance lessons and has begun staying to watch. She says I am improving

Whatsapp audio messages 

Frappes de Maracuya with condensed milk on top 

The word “tranqui” 

The word “desahogar” 

Limonada de Coco 

Men who know how to dance 

Men who think it’s cool to know how to dance 

Dancing with men who know how to dance 

Paula, Osmari, and Stefani, the waitresses at my favorite cafe

Lunch with MaFe and Moni’s family 

Watching mangos grow 

Sharing chismes with Olivia 

The amount of amazing female-owned boutiques 

Discussing Messi as if I personally know him 

Coconuts 

The way my students laugh when I admit my fear of iguanas 

The feeling of a cold shower after being gross and sweaty all day