It’s odd to sit here and recollect on my summer adventures so far.  A lot of good things have happened and I am optimistic for my August adventures but I can’t help but feel a little sad over not having my summer camp kids with me.  I had the good fortune this summer to be placed in charge of field trips for high school kids from Colombia, who came to Ohio to do an English intensive summer camp.  With them I got to play captain fun and take them to water parks, King’s Island, skating, biking, rock-climbing, and eating all sorts of what they view as weird american food. They had a weird fascination with syrup, which after I explained was “tree blood,” they then proceeded to pour it on everything from waffles to chicken to french fries.

I really miss the little moments.  One young man, Juan Diego, told me with a drop dead serious face, that to eat good chicken with utensils was an insult. One must always use their hands.  All the kids had a weird fixation with Victoria Secret lotions.  Nothing like 16 year old boys walking around the mall with giant Victoria Secret bags telling me how it was “for their mom.”  Going to a skateboard shop with the girls and picking up their first boards, then proceeding to tear up the parking lot.  The smallest and most quiet kid in the group, Luisa, turning out to be the most athletic of the bunch, she managed to climb the rock wall, at least 10 times, all the other kids gave up at 4.  Watching the World Cup with these kids at a burger dinner downtown, all these little moments crept into my heart and I will admit, I miss their silly Futbol loving faces.

I have never been much for goodbyes, which is why I refused to drop them off at the airport, in that action I make a commitment to see them again one day, state-side or in Colombia.  I dedicate this post to you, my Colombian Chicos, never loose that fire for life.