Exit: Costa Rica
Changing plans can create chaos and confusion. Successfully managing change is a product of leadership and preparation. No sweat. The schedule shift from Ecuador to Costa Rica served to provide an ideal landing spot to condition our otherwise comfortable selves to Latin America; to cushion the change in language, customs and diet and acclimate the team to better function in unfamiliar territory.
The three days in Costa Rica enabled our team to rediscover our travel cadence. LEAD 40 quickly fell into a matured version of the travel habits that took shape a year earlier during the National Study and Travel Seminar.
As we reflected on our time in Costa Rica it was evident the team had become attuned to the cultural nuances of an unfamiliar place. Sharing observations about the similarities and differences between the central American nation and the United States went well beyond simple language barriers and food. Key issues within the ag industry, social structure, economic fabric and geopolitical perspective were highlighted. The subcommittee reports will no doubt reflect these topics.
Enter: Colombia
Cruising 30,000 feet above central America one can’t help but admire the beauty of the topography. The lush green of central America and the azure blue of the Pacific Ocean make for an idyllic farewell image as we climb above the clouds. The next land we will view will be Colombia.
A mud brown river snakes through the countryside of green farmland dotted with livestock and flanked by the Andes Mountains. So much of our understanding of foreign culture is born of conjecture derived from 3-minute news segments, fictionalized entertainment, and op-eds. We infer culture through the lens of our personal experiences and bias. Certainly, no LEAD fellow is under the impression that a couple weeks traveling in Latin America is immersive…though it is experiential. We are gaining experience in team dynamics and collaboration. We are gaining experience in forming a fuller understanding of how the US agriculture industry impacts the world and the potential it holds to lead well into the future. Skills that will no doubt be put to practice in our careers and future endeavors.
We begin day one in Bogota, Colombia (Day 4 of the IS/TS) at El Dorado – Bogota International Airport where our guides meet us for a walking tour of the city center and give us a history of Colombia and Bogota through the eyes of the people who inhabit this city. The next day will begin early as a wet market tour and diplomatic meetings will dominate the morning. As the week progresses more rural settings will be introduced as we travel within Colombia to experience the industry, culture, and perspective that make them a valuable partner in the global agricultural industry.
Photos
Day-four began with loading out of CATIE at 4:40 AM then a 2-hour bus ride to San Jose.
A two-hour flight into Bogota, Colombia culminated as views of ag-land outside the capitol city could be appreciated from the aircraft windows.
LEAD 40 navigates entry to Colombia like professional travelers!
After a brief orientation by the guides, fellows loaded a pair of motor coaches and progressed through the city.
On Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, Nebraska LEAD 40 fellows spent most of the day traveling from Costa Rica to Bogota, Colombia. After the group arrived in Colombia, they gathered their bags and listened to instructions from their local tour guide.
Graffiti art is commonplace all across buildings and walls in Bogota. Street art varies in intricacy with several mainstream local artists adding to the murals. This graffiti art was painted by celebrated artist DjLu who depicts social issues in his work, such as youth poverty.
Bogota is known as a great celebrator of the arts. Street art is often meant to reflect the challenges and triumphs of common Colombians.
Another example of the ubiquitous street art created by artists from around the world.
Once LEAD 40 fellows departed the Colombia airport, they went on a walking tour of the city. They started at a fountain called the Chorro de Quevedo which is said to have established the foundations of Bogota in 1538. To make the city official, an initial house and a chapel were built. The chapel in this photo was rebuilt in 1968 on the exact location and based on the original structure.
The streets of City Center are crowded with Sunday traffic. Tourists come from across the country to celebrate culture and the arts with their families. This happens to be the last Sunday before the end of Colombian schools’ long-break which is the equivalent of the US summer break.
The City Center is the oldest district of Bogota. The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria dates back to 1703 and stands as one of the active symbols of the Roman Catholic faith that is an indelible aspect of Colombia’s religious and cultural identity.
Simon Bolivar Square sits in the middle of City Center. Dedicated to the liberator and later dictator of Colombia, Bolivar Square is also the main governmental district where all three branches of government reside. Often the square becomes a gathering place for street performers and vendors.
Guide Maria is explaining the history of Bolivar Square and a few fun facts about clock faces!
Plaza de Bolivar is the political square in Colombia’s capital city Bogota. Simon Bolivar, who liberated several countries - including Colombia - from the Spanish empire, is prominently featured throughout the area.
Kurtis Harms, Curtis Welsh, Chris Grams, Eric Coufal, Andrew Bellamy, Stephanie Nelson, Logan Sheets, Nate Parde, Tee Bush, and Abe Smith are pictured in the original square of Bogota.
LEAD 40 poses with Simon Bolivar in Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota, Colombia.
Lots of group shots on travel day!
