Barichara - Guane Experience – Camino Real
It has been 20 years since I last studied, during a time where school wasn’t fun. I currently have the privilege of studying at EHE Spanish School where the lessons are interesting. We get to have discussions on current issues, role play scenarios which have been very useful outside of the classroom. All of the teachers are patient and have a genuine interest in our education. And to top it all off, they organise excursions for us to travel whilst learning more about the culture and history of Colombia. This weekend, EHE organised a trip from Barichara to Guane where we walked the track called Camino Real, and I loved it!
Guane is a very small town in Santander, with a few hundred citizens. We took a path called Camino Real (Caminos de Lengerke ) from Barichara, coined the prettiest town in Santander! It was a very scenic hike which took about 2 hours. The nature you see along the way is just breath taking, and it was a pleasant surprise to find tree houses that people stay in.
The towns in Colombia have a similar layout, with a church in the centre and a park in front. Religion is core, brining may people together within the community. The park is a great place to socialise and the local markets are also a common gathering place.
In this church dedicated to Saint Lucia, Queen of the Blind. It is believed that she brings healing to the blind miraculously. There are testimonies that it’s true, the blind sees after praying to her. I stood staring into her shiny eyes and in her hand holding a pair of eyes with the promise of sight! It’s interesting, should I come when I am old and blind to ask for sight? Just in front of her is an offering box where devotees will purchase pairs of eyes and drop it in as requests of healing for their love ones with sight problems.
We went to the view point in Guane, and it was stunning. We stood on the rocks overlooking the mountains. The sky was crystal clear blue, the lush greenery underneath with rivers flowing through, sighted pockets of houses. It was as if the nature coexists with man in the most harmonious way. The tree dancing in tandem with the wind and bringing songs for the inhabitants under the sky. It’s well worth the 2 hours walk from Barichara to catch such sight.
The shops in Guane have great handicrafts made from the local material called fique. You can find different types of useful bags and purses. They are so delightful in different colours that you would want to buy all of them. The prices are reasonable and these will be great gifts to bring back to your home town.
To Learn Spanish in Colombia is a great experience.
Siew Gek Kang
Singapur
EHE Spanish School student