One summer vacation, my family and I spent it in, Colombia, where my parents were born and raised. I’d been once previously, but, now that I was older, I felt I could really take in the diverse beautiful culture. I was looking forward to savorous food, unique accents, and scenic views- and I definitley received a view I’d never forget.
We began in the heart of the city, Bogota, Cundinamarca, my mother’s hometown. It was late June, but mornings were chilly, having to wear jackets and scarves. My grandmother gave us warmth with homemade authentic food, arepas and coffee, while we waited for the bus. We were taking a trip to my great-grandmother’s farm. I was already excited from the stories my mother had told me. Knowing it was going to be long ride to Quipile, I made sure I sat in a window seat ready for the little tour of country.
We passed through the city: school children crossing the streets, vendors promoting their goods, and taxis everywhere. Opening my windows wasn’t necessary to hear the sound of the busy city. Very shortly came the aweing skyscrapers and ancient buildings, such as Bolivar Square. In the distance, I spotted Monserrate, a massive touristic mountain, that blurred out admist the clouds. I was accustomed to palm trees and endless beaches, but these views were just as beautiful.
The roads began to get bumpy- we were getting close to our destination. The temperature rose and my jacket came off. I could feel the heat through the window and couldn’t wait to get out. The bus finally made a stop, where it seemed like the middle of nowhere, and that is where we got off. My mother happily led the way through a dusty trail up a hill. She had told me of crystal clear lake she’d love to bathe in near and today she wanted to relive that. She knew the route like she’d been there yesterday. Stepping on twigs, hearing birds chirp, and chickens scream, all of us stopped in amazement at a huge black bull that was as stiff as a stone. We barely noticed it because of how quiet it was, but I craved a picture with it because I’d never been so close. My father said it could get angry, so with the picture quickly taken, we continued our route trying not to disturb it.
When we finally reached the spot… it had been all dried up! I just imagined what could have been and my mother laughed at all she made us trek. We took a clearer route on the side of the mountain as we headed back. Suddenly, I began to hear a sort of rumbling on the ground. We kept on walking when I heard my brother yell “There’s a bull coming!” As always, I thought he was joking until I saw it for myself. I panicked as there was no where to go but the mountain going upwards and a hill going straight down. Laying myself against the mountain, I hear its aggressive footsteps coming closer. The noise stopped. Within seconds, I found myself inches away with the face of the previous bull breathing heavily. I thought the worst at that moment, but luckily it continued to run and I quickly went to go find the rest of my family.
I couldn’t believe what had happened that day, but the thrill of it was great. Later that day, we cooked plantains from a plantain tree as my mother shared similar stories. It seemed that was not the first time that bull got loose!
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