Cocaine

Fighting FARC… and sexism? The women on Colombia’s front line

Colombia by bananaskinflipflopsApril 12, 2012August 3, 2017

Colombia by bananaskinflipflopsFebruary 2, 2011April 12, 2011

Catch the pigeon

The police officer looked apologetic. “It’s no longer here,” she said quietly. The room was suddenly very still. “The pigeon,” she repeated, raising a sorrowful smile. “We don’t have it any more.” She was referring to a young homing pigeon, used by enterprising criminals trying to smuggle 40g of marijuana (and five grams of cocaine) […]

Colombia by bananaskinflipflopsNovember 9, 2010February 2, 2011

Rich kids sniff, poor kids suffer

I have always been friends with loads of lawyers. I have no idea why I am attracted to these people – perhaps it’s their natural charm and quick wittedness, or simply the fact they argue about bloody anything. Colombia is no different and last week, after a dinner party, I was left drinking and debating […]

Colombia by bananaskinflipflopsAugust 19, 2010April 12, 2011

Mosquitos… proof there is no God

My legs used to be my best physical feature. I am 6’1 and – my fondness for cake aside – I have the genes of two relatively skinny parents. As a result, I have long legs. They are reasonably shapely and, most importantly, they were always generally unmarked. I mourn this fact. My legs are […]

Colombia by bananaskinflipflopsAugust 14, 2010April 17, 2013

How to make cocaine

“Do you like cocaine?” he asked, politely. I shook my head. “No, I don’t like,” I replied, in my best broken Spanish. “I think stupid.” The cocaine farmer laughed. “Do you like cocaine?” I asked, curiously. He shook his head and gave me a beautiful smile, revealing two rows of startlingly white teeth. “No, I […]

Colombia by bananaskinflipflopsAugust 6, 2010June 12, 2012

Pablo’s dead. Get over it.

The music was loud, the street was filled with people and the smell of fried festival food followed your every move. I went to Medellin for the city’s flower festival and, although this was probably an unofficial street party, everyone seemed in the mood to celebrate. The crowd was too thick for six people to […]