Pretty in pink.
Kaleb, Cohen and their friends Will and Jake playing at the park. These boys love to spend time together.
One of the many mini taxis. It is amazing how many people you can fit into one of these. They are pretty cheap too. We took a 1/2 hr ride a cross town the other day for less than $6.
Our doll!!
We have had 2 really nice days in Bogota weather-wise. Both were sunny and the warmest we have seen here. Yesterday was the national holiday here but we weren't adventurous enough with all 3 kids to experience any of the festivities. Instead we took a long walk with our friends the Kopka's because we believed the markets would be in swing similar to Sunday's and there were a few vendors but nothing huge. We did get a medium sized Colombian flag and some really good meringue-type treats to fortify us for our walk. Today we went with the Kopka's and finally visited Jacque's which is an awesome pastry shop. Yummmmmmm!! After that, we went to a really large park that we had passed in the car a couple of times. The boys had fun running around and we really enjoyed the sunshine. Our days have started taking a similar pattern as of late. We usually venture out in the morning after breakfast because that is when the weather is usually the best. We usually try to make it back for lunch at the hotel and then nap time. After nap time, we usually venture out again to one of the smaller, closer parks or hit the grocery store or the ATM machines at one of the banks. This afternoon we walked to a nearby artisan’s shop. It had a wide variety of different Colombian crafts so we had fun looking around. Each of the boys got an instrument to add to our band set and we got 3 different kinds of Colombian candy. I have a feeling we may head back there before Kerry and the boys leave to stock up on some other things we want to bring home.
Today we switched rooms to a larger room that was vacated by one of the families returning to Minnesota. The room is quite a bit larger and the boys are infatuated with it. I think it is good for us to have a change of scenery and more space for the boys. Kerry and the boys are half way through their trip here and will be leaving in 10 days. Kaleb is counting the days until his 7th birthday which he will celebrate here in Colombia just a couple of days before they return home.
Today my sister Carrie booked her plane tickets to come see me in Bogota after the guys return home. Although I tried hard not to pressure her to come, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited she is coming. I was not looking forward to the time after Kerry and the boys leave and her coming will really give me something to look forward too. Although I am looking forward to more time with Kariana, adult company will really be valued! I can’t wait to show her around town.
Speaking of Bogota, I realized that we haven’t talked about it all that much. First, our hotel is in a pretty good part of town with very nice buildings all around. We feel extremely safe out and about the area and have walked in about every direction we can. At first we pretty much only used a designated driver when we wanted to go further but we have now taken public taxis quite a bit too. They are much cheaper than a driver but they usually don’t speak English so we carry a hotel business card with us at all times and we just hand them the card to take us back. The cars here are all very small and many of the taxis are these super-mini cars so they look like clown cars when we start all piling out of them. Its pretty funny. Drivers are also extremely aggressive down here which makes having a small car very effective since they weave in and out of traffic lanes. We have not seen any accidents so far although my heart has stopped many times in traffic because of how close we have come. Pedestrians are not given priority here so you have to be careful crossing the road although people are constantly crossing the road where ever they want and just taking the risk. Bogota also has rules about cars on the road. Every car has a number assigned to it and only certain numbers can be on the road on any given day. In other words, each car is allowed to be on the road for 2 days out of the week. Everyone can drive on Saturdays and many of the roads are closed on Sundays so that walkers, bikers, and roller bladders can use the roads. Its really an interesting way to reduce traffic and emissions in the big city.
Today we switched rooms to a larger room that was vacated by one of the families returning to Minnesota. The room is quite a bit larger and the boys are infatuated with it. I think it is good for us to have a change of scenery and more space for the boys. Kerry and the boys are half way through their trip here and will be leaving in 10 days. Kaleb is counting the days until his 7th birthday which he will celebrate here in Colombia just a couple of days before they return home.
Today my sister Carrie booked her plane tickets to come see me in Bogota after the guys return home. Although I tried hard not to pressure her to come, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited she is coming. I was not looking forward to the time after Kerry and the boys leave and her coming will really give me something to look forward too. Although I am looking forward to more time with Kariana, adult company will really be valued! I can’t wait to show her around town.
Speaking of Bogota, I realized that we haven’t talked about it all that much. First, our hotel is in a pretty good part of town with very nice buildings all around. We feel extremely safe out and about the area and have walked in about every direction we can. At first we pretty much only used a designated driver when we wanted to go further but we have now taken public taxis quite a bit too. They are much cheaper than a driver but they usually don’t speak English so we carry a hotel business card with us at all times and we just hand them the card to take us back. The cars here are all very small and many of the taxis are these super-mini cars so they look like clown cars when we start all piling out of them. Its pretty funny. Drivers are also extremely aggressive down here which makes having a small car very effective since they weave in and out of traffic lanes. We have not seen any accidents so far although my heart has stopped many times in traffic because of how close we have come. Pedestrians are not given priority here so you have to be careful crossing the road although people are constantly crossing the road where ever they want and just taking the risk. Bogota also has rules about cars on the road. Every car has a number assigned to it and only certain numbers can be on the road on any given day. In other words, each car is allowed to be on the road for 2 days out of the week. Everyone can drive on Saturdays and many of the roads are closed on Sundays so that walkers, bikers, and roller bladders can use the roads. Its really an interesting way to reduce traffic and emissions in the big city.
The Melchers
Very interesting to hear about the town. You were talking about the taxi's. Do they have the seat belt rule or kids in car seats rule? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteLove the blogs/pics! Very happy for you all and cannot wait to meet her!!
ReplyDeleteEric,Jill,Devin&Ryder
So glad you can take the boys around, this is somthing they will remember, as it is so large.Love to all. Grandma.
ReplyDeletes