Miss Colombia, and the Baptismal Font

Colombia - August 2003.

Michele and I had travelled from England to Colombia to meet the family of Wendy, our dear exchange student, who stayed with us in 1999. In fact we had just spent 10 days in England with Wendy, who had come over from Germany (where she was studying) to travel with us.

She saw us off at Heathrow airport, and hours later we were welcomed at El Dorado Airport by her sizable family, and a wonderful South American adventure began.

One of the most notable events was our visit to Zipaquira, and the famous Salt Cathedral. For the trip our party included Wendy's Mum (Mami), her sister Karen, cousin Jaime, and Uncle Edgar. We were travelling in fact to the town of Ubate, for a family gathering. On the way we encountered the *Tourist train*, which we understand is the only train in Colombia.

Then to Zipaquira, once called the Manchester of Colombia, because of the smoky chimneys of the local salt evaporators.

Zipaquira

Zipaquira sits adjacent a very large and ancient salt mine, and in the mine is a cathedral, carved from salt. It's hard to imagine, but it's true, and here are a couple of sites which give some more detail.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Cathedral

http://www.catedraldesal.gov.co/ (In Spanish)

My own pictures turned out poorly - it's not easy to take pictures in a salt mine with a simple camera.

We paid to enter the mine, and walked in through what we'd call an adit - basically a tunnel which goes straight in. We met a young woman who would be guide for our group, which included several other english-speaking tourists, which was not at all common in Colombia. The guide was a little nervous, and explained that although she had guided many times using her native Spanish language, this was the first time she had guided in English.

Karen and Michele with our guide

In fact she was excellent, and began to take us down to the level of the cathedral proper, through tunnels and ramps along which were the Stations of the Cross, all carved in salt, and very well lit. The various Stations are imaginatively done, although they baffled me, as a non-Catholic. Soon we were down at Cathedral level, and began to explore the several chambers which made up the whole structure. The Nave of the church, which was first seen from a gallery higher up, was splendid, and the acoustics were said to be excellent for choral singing.

At one point the guide and I found ourselves a little ahead of the rest of the group, and I complimented her on her English. She was very pleased, but confessed that she still didn't know all the words needed for the job. *For example* she said, as we approached another key feature, *what do you call this in English?*, and she struggled for the word - *Bautismo*.

I recognised the Spanish word, and the structure we were approaching. *We would probably say it's a baptismal font* I said. *Ah thank you* she said, and turned to face the rest of the group, who had just come up behind us. *Ladies and Gentlemen - this is a baptismal font*. Perfecto!!!!

Jaime, Mami, Karen, Uncle Edgar, Michele, and the Baptismal Font

Finally it was time to emerge, blinking, into the daylight, and there another surprise awaited us. Just coming into the mine was Miss Colombia 2003, and her entourage.There was a flurry of smiles and Spanish, and Michele and I (and our Colombian family too) found ourselves being introduced to her. I managed some appropriate Spanish, and that delighted all concerned.

Her manager was extremely pleased because we were foreigners, and it was good exposure, and she was very happy for us to pose for a cheesy holiday snap - a happy chance encounter in a strange and faraway place.

Karen, Michele, Miss Colombia, Self, Mami, Jaime

We later made it to Ubate, where a splendid time was had by all, but that, as they say, is another story.....

Ubate, Colombia
(Click for large panorama)