Meet Nora...

In 1913 the city La Cumbre was founded, located north of Santiago de Cali, one of the 42 municipalities that make up the department of Valle de Cauca, in Colombia. In those years, the city was inaugurated as a result of the construction of a railway station and started as a settlement for the workers of the National Railways. Later it became a space for wealthy families who decided to build summer houses in the area. Alba Nora Perea, was born in La Cumbre, but was raised in Yumbo, also located in the Valle del Cauca, about twelve kilometers north of Santiago de Cali.

 Nora was born on July 7 of 1940, she says hesitantly. Yes, that's the date I have in all my documents, she clarifies after a few moments. In those days the official date on the birth certificate was not necessarily accurate, sometimes the process between birth and being registered was delayed depending on how long it would take the family to bring the newborn to the notary. "Basically " on June 29, rectifies Nora, that is the date of my birth. Although the word "basically " does not help much to dispel the uncertainty. She says she is a Leo, although according to the date of her birth, Cancer seems to be more accurate. Her father died when she was a baby of one and a half years of age, at the same time the youngest of her two brothers was being born. Her mother was a seamstress, an occupation that she inherited. She died 32 and a half years ago, says Nora with confidence. Nora emigrated from Colombia at the age of 32, settled in Caracas, Venezuela, and at age 49 left as a tourist to the United States, where she stayed for life. Nora had four children, two of them are no longer with us and the other two live in New York. She has five grandchildren and is ready to be a great-grandmother for the fourth time. 

These lines are a humble praise to a woman that is brave, resolute, and full of life. Nora has known the bitter tastes of the roads, but always found a way to get up ready for the fight. Today she welcomes us with a fresh smile, with her smooth hands, and with her hair dyed by the snows of time. 

Age: 78 years 

Date of birth: June 29, 1940 

Place of birth: La Cumbre, Valle de Cauca, Colombia 

Favorite color: Purple 

Things that make you fall in love: Walking, dancing, traveling, etc.  

Pride: Having overcome the debacles of life 

Regrets: Not having traveled the world