1969: George J. Gremse served in Colombia in Manizales, Chinchina, Bogota beginning in 1969



Returned Peace Corps Volunteer George J. Gremse can be contacted at gremseaattglobaldnet

Country of Service: Colombia

Training Group: Ag 69

Cities you served in: Manizales, Chinchina, Bogota

Arrival Year: 1969

Departure Year: 1972

Work Description:

Agricultural Diversification Programs working for the Fondo de la Diversificacion y del Desarrollo de la Federacion National de Los Cafeteros

Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:

I've been lucky to work for global companies in industries like Car Rental, Staffing, and Travel that have allowed me to continue wandering the globe. The Peace Corps' experience instilled in me a passion for exploring new places and meeting new people that is as srong today as it was 30 years ago. It has been a lasting and wonderful gift.

Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:

I have a pleasant daily reminder of my Peace Corps experience that keeps me remembering all the good things that happened. Like many volunteers I had a pet while in-country. I bought a blue fronted green amazon parrot in the market in Manizales in 1968. "Greenie" came back with me to the USA and has been my buddy for the last 35 years. His daily question "Quiere Cacao? (Do you want some chocolate?" keeps at least one Spanish phrase current in my mind. The imitation he learned on a Colombian finca (farm) of a rooster crowing can wake up the dead and irritate my family and the neighbors. When I sit outside with him and reflect on the past he'll pull me into the present by climbing on my shoulder. He'll nip my earlobe so that I understand that scratching his head today is more important than sitting and thinking about yesterday.

Originally posted: January 4, 2004

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