The U.S. Embassy sent me the following little note on August 22nd:This Warden Message is to alert American citizens traveling to or residing in Colombia of increased terrorist activity. Several bombings of public facilities and increased seizures of explosive materials have necessitated a review of security procedures for U.S. Embassy personnel. On August 9, a bomb was detonated in north Bogota resulting in the injury of eight persons, including one American citizen. On August 16, several small explosions occurred in large grocery stores frequented by foreigners. The Embassy has noted a significant increase in security incidents in the Tolima Department, which demonstrate the capacity of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to conduct attacks. Due to the recent security incidents, the Embassy prohibits personal travel by Embassy personnel to Tolima Department. The Embassy urges all Americans to avoid travel to Tolima until further notice...etc....
Being the great rule-follower and U.S. citizen that I am, I vowed to stay out of the department of Tolima. However, this violence came a little closer to home recently.
Last night, I was sleeping soundly in my apartment at about midnight when a large "bang!" erupted in the city of Cali, waking everyone from their slumber. I reacted with my normal speed, quick-thinking, and agility-- by continuing to sleep soundly right through the whole thing! I was completely oblivious to the event that was ensuing until I was awakened at 1:00am by various friends and neighbors who had discovered the source of this loud, rude noise: a car bomb in the center of the Palacio de Justicia. We have since learned that officials are blaming the FARC, and that the explosion killed four and left 26 injured.
Being the great rule-follower and U.S. citizen that I am, I vowed to stay out of the department of Tolima. However, this violence came a little closer to home recently.
Last night, I was sleeping soundly in my apartment at about midnight when a large "bang!" erupted in the city of Cali, waking everyone from their slumber. I reacted with my normal speed, quick-thinking, and agility-- by continuing to sleep soundly right through the whole thing! I was completely oblivious to the event that was ensuing until I was awakened at 1:00am by various friends and neighbors who had discovered the source of this loud, rude noise: a car bomb in the center of the Palacio de Justicia. We have since learned that officials are blaming the FARC, and that the explosion killed four and left 26 injured.
Just in case you have heard about the occurrence (which I doubt you have), I just wanted to let you know that I am absolutely fine and was not directly affected by this act of terrorism in the slightest. In fact, unlike most of my neighbors, I got a full night's sleep. :)
1 comment:
Now I will be properly worried, thanks for the heads up. :P I'm very proud of you for sleeping through it all, though. Lead by example, right?
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