Colombian Culture, Colombia Adoption and Raising Colombian Kids

GOOD NEWS!!! There was a new wait list posted today, November 24, 2011. I hope that this is a sign that we will be getting a new wait list more often, but I will not hold my breath. For now, there has not been much movement, however for those waiting for slightly older children there has been some movement in the SIBLINGS category. Remember, the ICBF Wait List applies to adoptions through ICBF only -- not through CASAS PRIVADAS. It also ONLY APPLIES TO NON-COLOMBIAN FAMILIES. It DOES NOT reflect special needs children. The definition of special needs are children with disabilities, children over 8 years of age, and sibling groups of 3 or more. EVERY CATEGORY HAS ADVANCED THIS TIME!!! The dates that have moved are in BOLD. Also, this list only reflects that there are no more dossiers at the national office prior to the date shown. Dossiers from before December 2007 in the 0-23 months category, for example, may still need a referral, but they have already been sent to a region and are

Having lived in a city with sub-zero temperatures, it is hard to imagine why temperatures in the 40s or 50s could possibly be so frightening. However, in Colombia they are -- especially for children. I am pretty sure that is has something to do with El Sereno. (For a more detailed explanantion of this phenomenon, please read Colombian Daddy's post: http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2010/05/el-sereno-or-el-chiflon.html) Anyway, while in Colombia, be prepared to receive your child bundled in multiple layers. Also be prepared for the myriad of critical looks and comments you might receive if you later take said child out in what we more cold-hearty folk would consider weather appropriate clothing. Here is another unique tidbit. Even on sunny days, the fear of getting a whiff of a cool draft will keep a child covered in plastic. I guess this has the added benefit of keeping the child sleepy in a low oxygen environment :). Note: In the picture, the mother is enjoying a s

Last week I mentioned Fuentes Records' second spin off band, The Latin Brothers . Although this band included some of the musicians from Fruko y Sus Tesos (and even Joe Arroyo once sang for it), it was led by Piper Pimienta . Piper 's unmistakable voice and the sound of Luis "Tomate" Mesa on piano are the band's trademarks. The song Buscandote (Looking For You) is from Latin Brothers' second album, Dale al Bombo (Hit that drum), released in 1975. Here is a performance by the band, including lead singer Piper Pimienta (and some goofy dancers): Buscandote by The Latin Brothers <

According to Legend, in the Cerro del Vita region of the department of Vichada, there is a large rock in the Punta de Laja area. Under that rock is a tunnel that leads to a secret city. When she does not want to allow fishing, the queen of that city, Rosita, leaves the city and turns into a pink dolphin (tonina ). In her form of a tonina with a white spot on her neck, she chases away the fish and the fishermen. She takes their nets. When the fisherman recognize her, they leave the area.

As many of you know, Tunes for Tuesdays is the section of this blog where we discuss music and artists from Colombia. Also, those (both) of you who faithfully read my entries have probably figured out that my section actually appears on most Tuesdays, that occasionally we talk about music and artists that have little to do with Colombia, and that for some time now we have been discussing the history of Salsa music. If you are new to the blog, by click on the Tunes for Tuesdays link and read a few entries to help you catch up. Now, I finally have an excuse to introduce one of my favorite non-Colombian Salsa songs. Around the mid 1970s, Fruko y Sus Tesos had become the Colombian powerhouse of the genre, but they faced some serious competition from several talented foreign artists. Indeed, in its desire to outdo its rivals, Fuentes Music would spin off another great band, The Latin Brothers. But more on them later because what this entry is about a competitor from Venezuela.

A few days ago, Colombian Daddy and I were talking about growth and prosperity in Colombia. Out of no where, CD says, "You no what is holding Colombia back?" "What?" I responded. "the incredible amount of corruption that permeates the government." Fast Forward. This past week, Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos announced MAJOR REFORMS to the government. These reforms have as their purpose, "Creating a more efficient, transparent State." IE Consolidate and eliminate waste -- change name, change image. He eliminated the Colombian DAS (think the FBI of Colombia). But, it has been replaced with a new title Dirección Nacional de Inteligencia (DNI) which will be in charge of intelligence and counter intelligence exclusively as immigration will now fall to the Unidad Migracion Colombia (UMC) which is part of cancilleria and is administered by the Executive branch. There are a legion of changes, but perhaps the one that would be most interest

Here are my picks for this blog's top 10 adoption related posts. #1 The Best Thing We Did in Bogota http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-familys-return-trip-best-thing-we.html #2 Adult Adoptees Perspective on Name Change http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/03/adult-adoptees-perspective-on-name.html #3 What Adult Colombian Adoptees Wish Their Parents Knew http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/02/adult-colombian-adoptees-what-they-wish.html #4 You Family's New Culture http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/02/you-familys-new-culture.html #5 Transracial Parenting -- this post was provided to me by a fellow adoptive mother --THANKS AGAIN! http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/04/transracial-parenting-advice-from.html #6 Searching for Birth Families http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/2009/07/searching-for-birth-families-and-birth.html #7 Older Child Adoption, What We Wish We Had Known -- this post was also provided to me