Living in Cali, Colombia for one month was an unforgettable experience which will leave a lasting impression on me. Aside from my own personal development, Colombia fostered a deeper appreciation for diverse culture, and a renewed commitment to living life with resilience, open-mindedness, and a genuine connection to the world around me.
My preconceived notions about the country dissipated as I met the friendliest and most welcoming people who opened their hearts to us through storytelling; whether it be someone I met on the street, the hotel staff, or the students in the workshops. These workshops were a transformative site for cross-cultural connections which allowed both countries to bring their unique cultural dance traditions, embodied knowledges, and practices into a collective/reciprocal space without judgement or fear. The performance by the Buenaventura dancers was one of the most moving performances I have seen; a gripping, heart-wrenching, vulnerable, raw and powerful narrative. These students have endured challenging times which we will never live, yet they emerge with perseverance, a stronger sense of hope and the most positive smiles on their faces. This resilience will continue to inspire me to approach my own future challenges with greater determination and optimism.
I am grateful for the new connections that I have made with the students and teachers of these workshops, as well as the deepening sense of community that this trip created amongst the group that I travelled with. Being with the same people every day for a month became familiar and a familial dynamic. I valued the time to really get to know more personal sides to my peers and HoD. Whether it be listening to their past experiences on the plane or in a taxi which shaped who they are, dancing with them in diverse locations, noticing their daily habits or routines, understanding their interests and concerns, watching them teach and listening to their research in informal settings. These were equally as meaningful moments for me as we do not always get to see more personal sides to people within a university context. The growth in these relationships encouraged me to break down my own personal barriers; to share more, to ask more, to move outside of my comfort zone and attempt more.
My final point in relation to connection – is Salsa! I was swept away by the culture of Cali salsa; anywhere and at any time the city is alive with face-paced salsa music and dance. People approach you without expectations or conditions to dance, yet solely because there is passion to move and connect with others. A highlight was being in the Boulevard, surrounded by hundreds of people in the middle of the street from 6pm just dancing salsa. Being immersed in the vibrancy of this dance culture is infectious and makes me wish community dance culture in Aotearoa New Zealand was this strong. Dancing because you can, because it is a social activity to meet new people, because it enhances the quality of your daily life – this is what I love about Cali and Colombia – really living in the present away from technology or social media. These moments have taught me to be more courageous and has inspired me to hopefully create a dance culture like this in Auckland – someday somehow.
This chapter of my life in Colombia I will treasure. A sincere and deep thank you for allowing me to experience this trip of a lifetime.