contrasts

I live in a city of 7 million. The other week, from my bedroom window I watched fireworks being set off from the 50 story Colpatria tower, the tallest building in Bogotá, just 12 blocks away. Every night as I lay in bed, the glass in my windows rattles as buses speed past. I can think of 7 bakeries within easy walking distance (and I'm sure I'm forgetting several). I can hail a cab or catch a bus just outside my front door.

And yet, every morning as I'm getting ready, I hear a rooster crow through our open bathroom window.