The Double Date in Colombia

An unusual encounter in Colombia has stayed with me. I had arranged a date with a 40-year-old woman, but just before we were supposed to meet in a park, she told me her friend would be joining us. Suddenly, I was faced with the prospect of going out with two women. That was a bit too spontaneous for me, so I canceled the dinner. But a drink with the three of us at a park café sounded like a good compromise.

The first few minutes of the date were chaotic: the two women chatted rapidly in Spanish, occasionally throwing questions my way, and I barely understood a word. After half an hour, the friend did leave—leaving just the two of us. We talked about the city, about having children, about life in general. It was pleasant, almost normal. Until she suddenly offered me cocaine.

Confused, I declined. She just shrugged and explained that she could always find a man, but it had to be worth her while. I understood. The date ended without any further transactions, with polite goodbyes and promises to stay in touch. But, as often happens in these situations, I never heard from her again. It was a brief, quirky interlude in the life of a Colombian woman.