Flowers & The Surprise

Another day, another 7am wake up to chirping  birds and the occasional dog bark in the distance. Some people started their day with a hot shower while others preferred to snag a Bon Yurt (or peanut butter bread) to quench their hunger. Just when we thought the rain was over from the previous night’s storm, it started to pour again during our hour long drive to the town of Santa Elena. Our itinerary for the day consisted of a tour of a flower ranch, some time at a mall, and a surprise evening activity. In Medellin, the climate isn’t optimal for growing corn, rice, or other grains, but it is perfect for growing flowers. With these flowers, owners of flower farms are able to sell them and use them once a year in the Medellin flower festival. The flower festival in Medellin is an annual event where 220 flower farms participate in parades and flower arrangement activities. While 220 farms participate in this event, only 10 farms are open for tours. We arrived at one of these flower ranches at 9:45 and we were able to walk around a little before the presentation began. The paths throughout the rows of flowers were a little slippery and some of us may have slipped on the way down. While the owner of the ranch was speaking, cinnamon sugar teas were passed out to the audience. We learned that in the parade women carry 170 lb silleteras (Spanish word comes from the root silla, which means chair since originally they used them) or flower arrangements, on their backs, while men usually carry 220 lbs of these silleteras. During the parade, participants walk three miles with the flowers on their back. The flowers come in various vibrant colors through the method of dying their roots in order for the color to be absorbed through the stem and petals. After the presentation we were able to try on a 70 lb silleteras. At the ranch, or finca, we were able to try some authentic sweet corn arepas with cheese and some hot chocolate.

After our flower ranch tour, we set out for a nearby outdoor mall. Here, some of us exchanged more money in order to have more pesos to purchase items with. We had about three hours to eat lunch and shop at the mall. Some of us enjoyed a nice lunch from McDonalds or one of the many restaurants in the food court. We headed back to the house for a quick three hour break before heading to our surprise evening activity. The local soccer game that we were previously going to attend had been rescheduled due to preparations for the flower festival. At 8:00 tonight, we boarded the bus for the final time that day and headed out into the unknown. The only thing we knew about our venture was that it was mandatory to wear pants. With this vague clue, rumors began floating around about what we might end up doing that night. Everything from mechanical bull riding to late night mass were being discussed. Twenty minutes later we arrived to our destination. What looked like a fun, lively dinner place turned out to be a very unique restaurant. After ordering our food, horses and their riders began cantering and prancing throughout the venue. Our dinner was delicious, but the horses and singing performances were a perfect pairing to our meal. The dancing at the end was the best way to wrap up the night. Tonight was a fun, but tomorrow has many more things in store. We will be going on a coffee tour and to a swimming area.

China Duff J