PL2, Indeed, I was surprised to see Columbian folks wearing insulated jackets when deployed there, just N of the equator in Dec-Mar the first time, temps were balmy to us ( home stationed at FT Benning GA), low 80s and humid. The locals thought we were supermen for working in t-shirts and not coat and jackets.
vicinity Malaga Naval Station, Columbia, West coast of COL, close to Buenaventura and other locales a few times.
The most notable thing I recall- the kids, living in straw houses in the edges of the jungles always were clean and their clothes impeccably bright and kempt. Sold us 250ml cokes for 10 pesos, or for a dollar, one every day for a week. We bought a lot of coke. Warm coke, as they had no electricity. I think I stayed in the Army and willingly deployed mostly for the kids I saw all over the world-always seeming happy, always respectful and always made me feel like their was hope for peace, but they, like us, all grow up. Sigh.
Sorry for the rambling.
Samaritans Purse is an excellent way to make your charity dollars work for children, if you are so inclined.
Blessings
I found your ramblings very interesting. I wanted to read more! And, thanks for the tip on Samaritan’s Purse.