Sandy and I

Sandy and I

I haven't seen Sandy since 2019 when I received a scholarship to study in Quebec, Canada. My plan back then was to spend six months in Quebec and then reunite with Sandy before starting my new journey in Warsaw, Poland. But 2020 turned out to be the Covid-crazy year with all its border restrictions and quarantine drama. So, once I wrapped up my time in Canada, I basically beelined to Warsaw. Fast forward, it's been a solid four years since I last saw Sandy. It's truly impressive how much things can change in just four years. I found Sandy to be completely different from what I used to remember – the streets, the people, the places, and especially the warmest weather I have ever experienced in my entire life.​​

Just to clear things up, Sandy is actually the nickname for my hometown, Barranquilla. This name comes from a bit of local lore that says our streets are often covered in sand. And when the wind blows, it carries the sand along with it, sort of wrapping everyone in it. Crazy, right? The initial surprise was how remarkably open people are here when it comes to discussing about themselves. A mere "hi" can transform a stranger into your new confidant. Just the other day, while taking a cab to meet up with a friend, the taxi driver delved into the details of his life. He shared insights about his gastritis, his wife's culinary efforts, their recent vacation destination, his gym regimen, and even his medical friend's guidance regarding peculiar bathroom odors. Initially, I thought to myself, "This must be a one-off situation." It seemed like an excessive amount of information to share with a complete stranger. However, I quickly realized my mistake on the way back when another taxi driver opened up about his car's fuel consumption. He even delved into his marital struggles, candidly mentioning both his wife and a mistress he maintains, their complex dynamic, and the weekly charade of "going fishing" on Sundays to meet the latter.

A bittersweet environment

The Magdalena River, a vital waterway in Colombia, finds its way to Sandy, where it merges with the sea. Locally, we fondly refer to this convergence as "Bocas de ceniza," which intriguingly translates to "Ash Mouths." This name owes itself to the unique phenomenon where the ocean takes on a dusky hue upon embracing the river's flow.

This meeting of river and sea waters births a remarkable brackish environment, nurturing a distinct variety of flora and fauna. A visit to this place is an absolute delight. You can stand at the shoreline and witness the intriguing juxtaposition of river and sea, each with its own distinct character. For the avid angler, it's a paradise for fishing adventures. Alternatively, you can explore the special local restaurants where the culinary treasures of the brackish waters will undoubtedly surprise and delight your taste buds.

I hold some cherished memories of "Bocas de Ceniza" because it's a place that brings immense joy to my dad. At least once a month, he embarks on a special ritual. He rises at 4:00 a.m., gathers a group of friends, and makes the journey to "Bocas de Ceniza" for an entire day dedicated to fishing. The amusing part is that my mom is never quite thrilled about these fishing excursions. Why, you might ask? Well, it's because the week that follows inevitably involves indulging in the abundant catch of fish my dad brings back. I'd like to share a little anecdote: I arrived home the very week after my dad's fishing trip. What followed were days filled with an abundance of fish in various delectable forms: fish soup, fried fish, oven-baked fish, fish sandwiches, and even a hearty, whole-fish meal.

The student of yesterday: visiting my alma mater

During my stay, a must-visit destination was my beloved Alma Mater, "La Universidad del Atlántico," affectionately known to its students as the UA. While I had encountered Sandy four years ago, the same couldn't be said for my reunion with the UA. My last visit coincided with a period of student strikes that had temporarily closed the university's doors. Consequently, it had been quite a while since I set foot on my university campus, not since 2016 when I embarked on my PhD journey. This visit was inevitably a journey filled with nostalgia. I had the chance to reconnect with my undergraduate advisor, the person who had believed in me and encouraged me to persevere in the field of physics when other professors had subtly hinted that perhaps I should consider pursuing a different path because physics might not be my calling. Fun fact, during my university visit, they asked me to do something pretty interesting, not to talk about being some big-shot scientist (I'm not even sure I qualify for that title), but to share my own journey and offer some advice to the newbies stepping into the field. So, there I was, giving a talk about my so-called "successful" career journey to the very professors who had once suggested I pursue a different path in life.

Here's the moral of the story: having a good advisor to steer you in the right direction makes all the difference. I'm just grateful I had one back in the day. Thank goodness for that!

No matter the obstacles, the family stays as a family

Undoubtedly, the best part of meeting Sandy is the opportunity to spend time with family. Last year, my younger brother had an accident that resulted in the loss of mobility in his hand and the lower part of his body. I must admit that seeing my brother in this condition was not easy. However, he maintains an incredibly strong attitude and a positive spirit. He diligently performs his physiotherapy exercises every day, inspiring everyone around him with his cheerful disposition. During my visit, I also had the pleasure of meeting the newest addition to our family, my older sister's son, Santi. He brings an incredible amount of energy and curiosity into our home and truly brightens up our lives. Tomorrow, I'll be heading to Brazil to visit my friends and address some bureaucratic matters essential for my ongoing academic pursuits. Thus, the second part of this post will detail my experiences in Brazil. See you there.