Name: Gina Herrera

Country: COLOMBIA

e-mail: gherrera@reymoreno.net.co & estefan@writeme.com

Profession: Business Administration

I became a fan when I was 9 years old. You could say it happened by accident, because the first records that I was given as a child were by the Miami Sound Machine. When I was 13, I fell in love with a song that was number 1 in my country for a long time, "Anything for You" although I didn't know who sang it and by coincidence it happened to be the same group that I had listened to as a child with "Conga" and "Bad Boy", and now I was curious to know who they were. This curiosity grew gradually over the next few years until it became a great admiration, respect, and love.

Gloria E, the queen of the Conga, quickly became part of my life, my family, and my dreams. She became a dream, a dream that one day had to become reality.

This day finally came 15 years later, March 20th, 1999, when I traveled to a place far from my home with baggage full of illusions, dreams, hopes, a few fears, but more than anything, full of love. God had finally given me the opportunity to meet my idol.

My first contact with her was incredible, my hart was beating with such emotion, my eyes were a little bit teary so that I couldn't believe what I was seeing...Gloria Estefan in person, in front of me..... I approached her to introduce myself..but I only said "Hi, Gloria, I'm from Colombia" and she looked at me and with complete confidence said "Ah, yes, you're Gina...Gina Herrera". My legs started to shake and I felt like I was going to faint. I said to her "Gloria, you know me? You know who I am?" and she said "Of course I do!!" At that moment, I didn't know what to do, if I sould hug her, or cry, or scream, but I only stood in front of her, watching her, without being able to say a single word, I gave her a kiss, and she hugged me with such tenderness I felt I had known her all my life. Finally Gloria Estefan had arrived, and my dream had become reality, and the party had started!!!!!!!

On my trip, I not only met Gloria and her family, but also the many wonderful people of Conga who even without knowing me, gave me so much help and love. Thanks to all of you, after 15 years, my story is no longer a dream but a beautiful reality....images, moments, memories, that I will forever have in my heart.

I don't have much to say about the Bash except that everyone knows what happened, Gloria was simply wonderful, she took time to meet with each and every one of us.

Greetings from MI TIERRA
Saludos desde MI TIERRA

Gina Herrera
COLOMBIA

Click here to read Gina's adventures at Bongo's