Don't get dizzy

At this point, I've been here for over a week.  While much of Colombian life is pretty much the same as life in the United States, there are many very small differences.  For example, nearly every home I've visited has a maid who cooks and cleans and takes care of all the household chores.  She doesn't typically live in the home - or at least not in the homes I've been to - but she seems to work long hours there.  More on that as I visit more homes and have a chance to ask more questions.

Today, I want to focus on the small, but significant differences in my home...well, in our building.  Most of the homes I've visited, including ours, have a secured entrance.  EL PORTERO guards the front entrance whether you're entering by foot or by car.  He'll help to carry up heavy items to your apartment; he'll clean your car, both interior and exterior; he'll accept packages or anything else you may need him to collect and protect until you arrive home to accept them yourself; he's always friendly and polite even to EXTRANJERAS like me who can't quite communicate clearly ;)
So, there's a locked gate entry if entering by foot and a separate locked gate to enter by vehicle plus a bunch of security cameras plus EL PORTERO himself...but they still lock their doors.  That wouldn't seem so strange to me IF there weren't three locks on our front door -- all 3 of which Miryam uses.  I'm sure I'm just feeding into the Colombian stereotype that there is unthinkable danger that must be averted at all costs, but honestly that's not the case.  I feel so safe and secure here in our home, in our building and in our neighborhood!  Hmmmm, maybe one day I'll ask...but I don't want to offend anyone with that question.  If you have suggestions on a better way to ask than "Why are we locked up like Fort Knox here?" please let me know.  LOL!

Ok, let me show you a few more of the differences here in my building...