Day 13

We got up this morning and Auntie had breakfast burritos ready for us to eat. Just as we were sitting down for prayer a horrible noise (cars/trucks/taxi/buses honking) began and all 5 of us ran to different windows to see what was going on. Cars, buses, taxis, and trucks were decked out in blue and white balloons and posters. We couldn't figure out what was going on and were wondering if it was a protest but we then found out that apparently it is some Catholic holiday and lots of individuals decided to be very religious about it.

After that very interesting start to our morning we headed to the United Church of Bogota for a special Sunday service. Auntie is a member of a womans bible study and one of the individuals was a part of translating the New Testament into a native Indian language. Today was the dedication day for the Bible before it is taken to the native people.

In the afternoon we were invited to a wedding shower for a couple from church. Wedding showers seem to be done a little differently here, apparently they are hosted by the bride and groom themselves! We played several games, listened to more Spanish, ate pasta, and laughed.

We then came home, relaxed, and are now headed to bed.

.:.Colombian flavored water - Con Gas means with gas lol.:.

.:.We are so proud of R! She knows how to make paper boats! Unlike N...:.

.:.United Church of Bogota.:. (English church)

.:.Talking with a missionary lady.:.

.:.Cars involved in the "parade".:.

.:.The 5 of us with the engaged couple.:.

.:.These 4 kids were quite taken by Uncle and his English (and Spanish) speaking abilities.:.

.:.The life of the party, these two were so much fun to watch!.:.

.:.R with a church members baby.:.

.:.Supper.:.

Photo Credit: Uncle and R.

Day 12 - Saturday

This morning we got up and headed to church and listened to another sermon in Spanish. Once again, the pastor demonstrated the belief that good sermons need to be an hour long, even if your loosing your voice. ;)

After church we headed home and had lunch which consisted of rice noodles, cabbage, carrots, mung bean sprouts, and a soy sauce. Yummy!

We spent the afternoon relaxing, talking, and painting.

After the sunset certain individuals proceeded to become hyper and Uncle decided we needed to take a walk :P We tried to find vegetarian pizza but apparently everything closes early on Saturday nights here and nobody wanted to make us one. So we got potato and cheese empanadas instead.

Now we are watching Summer of the Monkeys and then headed off to bed soon. Goodnight world! :)

.:.Inglesia Ilarco.:.

.:.Right after church.:.

.:.Sabbath Afternoon.:.

.:.Headed out for our walk.:.

.:.In the corner shop.:.

.:.Up high!.:.

.:.Supper - potato and cheese empanadas.:.

Photo credit: Uncle. Except for the empanada picture, that's R's. :)

Day 11

Well today was shopping day again! :) But before we went shopping.....

This morning we all had to wait around for R, who had to take her test (who got 100% btw :D). Once that was done, we walked to a Juan Valdez Cafe. Colombia is known for is coffee, so as part of the experience, NRJ sampled a bit of coffee. Happily, it wasn't enough to affect them. :)

.:.another horse cart.:.

.:.a dog walker, they are paid to walk others dogs....:.

As we headed home, it started to pour....and proceed to pour the rest of the day...

.:.rain....:.

Next we went grocery shopping, at a Sutifruver, which sells fruits and veggies. :) That over, N and R made supper.

Oh, we forgot to mention. The penthouse is turning into a zoo for the weekend! 3 birds, 2 cats, and 1 dog! The dog leaves sunday, and the birds stay for a few weeks. Need a pet sitter, anyone?

.:.3 birds.:.

.:.Munchkin and Smokey.:.

.:.scooter.:.

That evening we gathered in the living room and listened to a dramatized version of pilgrims progress.

Day 10

Today was laundry day!! From 9am-6pm! Auntie commented that she had never in her life seen so many piles of clothes :P Other than laundry R spent the day studying as tomorrow she has her first test and then proceeded with Auntie and N to give the cats manicures using bright pink nail polish.

R also baked a chocolate cake! Happy to say she conquered the elevation this time! :D

Day 9-Wednesday

Guess what we did today? Another park! This time we went to the biggest park (I believe) in Bogota. There is a walking trail around the park and lots of lakes and play equipment :D The morning was actually sunny! It did start raining close to the time we left....

The afternoon was spent by R studying and N&J finding different ways of entertaining themselves. When Uncle came home from work we played the game of taboo....

.:.Parque de Simon Bolivor.:.

.:.Fountain.:.

.:.On the lake overlook.:.

.:.Danger, the tree is in risk of falling.:.

.:.Soccer player backpacks piled up.:.

.:.Siblings.:.

.:.Auntie, R, and N.:.

.:.More swinging.:.

Day 8

This morning we headed to an orphanage to see where Auntie has been volunteering since she came to Colombia. Unfortunately, the director decided that NRJ would not be able to go in so all we got to do was take a tour of the orphanage. We did get to see several babies though and they were all really cute. One was even born just the week before. Most of the babies are here because Colombia has a very high number of teen pregnancies. Some are also there because their families had problems, or the parents couldn't afford to care for them.

In the afternoon we piled into the car and began driving down the street to head to a park but it started raining so we decided to turn around and go home. We spent the afternoon around the house -- N and J spent it reading and R studied.

The sun came out late afternoon so we headed out by foot to another park at the base of the mountain. It had a pretty little stream running through and the walk itself was relaxing.

.:.Neat "tunnel" under a bridge.:.

Day 7-July 12

This morning R started her developmental psychology class.

Midmorning we headed to the United States Embassy - the location of Uncle's job ;) He took time to show us around the many departments and explain several things to us. We also got to watch a visa application and learned how it is done from the US side. We had lunch in the cafeteria and then before we left got some ice cream :)

When we got home, Auntie, R, and J headed to the local grocery store to pick up some ingredients to make a strawberry shortcake.

Supper over, we decided to take a walk around town. Parks are a big thing here and wherever you live you are likely within walking distance of several parks. I think N and R are going backwards in age because all of a sudden they have both really taken to swinging...at every single park that has swings :P

As Auntie and NRJ were headed down the elevator (Uncle decided to take the dizzying 8 flights of stairs down) we were strangely reminded of a couple of people back in the US. We stopped at every single floor as the elevator was going down. Strange enough, there wasn't anyone waiting... The same thing happened when we were done with our walk and headed back up via the elevator. Except for Uncle and J who both decided to take the stairs...

Day 6

We got up this morning and went jogging with Uncle. Since we are 8,000 feet above sea level, taking a jog was quite the strenuous workout but it was certainly good for us :)

After breakfast we headed out to a local artisan market. It was really interesting and we were able to buy a few things. We had some more Arepas and then were treated to authentic (I think) Colombian ice cream before heading home.

.:. Artisan Market.:.

.:.Chocolate and vanilla covered strawberries.:.

.:.Our Auntie :).:.

.:.Yummy.:.

.:.Lunch-ish.:.

.:.Uncle.:.

.:.Arepa.:.

.:.Dessert.:.

.:."Statues" along the side of the road.:.

.:.Or are they?.:.

.:.Colombian flags.:.

.:.The crowd gathered to watch the world cup.:.

Photos by: R and Uncle N.