La Candelaria

We ended up walking through Candelaria in order to get to Monseratte, a church on top of a hill. The walk was so nice. I thought I wouldn´t want to see kids for a while, but school was getting out while we were walking around and it was funny to watch the kids. I wanted to take their pictures, but I also didn´t want to be a creep. I think it took us about an hour to get to the base of the hill and from there we took a funicular up to the church. I have lots of pictures of that and of today´s activities, but I´m going to go to bed now.

Botero

After dropping off my passport at the embassy, which by the way was successful and painless, we went to the Botero museum. The museum is made up of donations from Fernando Botero, Colombia´s most famous artist. He´s the one that always paints fat people. He also donated pieces that he collected like Picasso, Monet and a whole bunch of other greats. The museum is really pretty, not huge at all and in a nice little building with a courtyard. After the Botero we walked around the neighborhood, La Candelaria, which will be my next post.

We LOVE Bogota

We made it! And Bogota is amazing. Firstly, it´s cold AND rainy. Perfect. In the cab I said to Brad, ¨When have you ever gone on vacation and been happy that it´s cold and rainy?¨ But it´s been unbearably hot in Barranquilla and the cold air feels so good.

Our hotel-bed and breakfast is nice and cozy. Two thick blankets on the bed and hot showers, plus a library of used books and an OLD computer.

We went in search of lunch as soon as we got here and stumbled on La Cafe Magica, which is one of best ever finds of our travels. We ordered mulled wine and roast beef sandwiches and ate next to a roaring fire.

Then, we took long naps.

After we woke up we headed to La Zona Rosa for an appetizer and drink tour. Our drinks were good, our appetizers were ok.

Tomorrow I have to go to the embassy and then we´re going to see the Botero museum and who know what else.




Our taxi driver. Can you believe it?




mulled wine. so good. the rim is covered with cinnamon sugar.


The magic cafe, with flash. It was nice and dark while we were there.


A real fire! And it was necessary. Before they lit it I was actually shivering.


This is a box that our check for lunch came in. Brad called it Hippie Jesus. Another good Brad quote is when he saw a Bennigan´s ad on a bus and said, ¨Ooooh, Bennigan´s!¨
¨Brad I´m not eating at Bennigan´s.¨
¨Sarah, sometimes you just need some Bennigan´s.¨

getting the hell out of dodge

I finished packing one minute ago and with ten minutes until our taxi comes I had just enough time for a quick blog. My pack is huge and entirely full. I meant to leave half the space for souvenirs, but I'm a compulsive overpacker, I can't help it.

We should be able to find internet access while we're away, but if we can't then I'll see you in Iowa in 34 days! That is if Iowa isn't completely under water by then.

Vacation!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO!



Notice the sweater? It's cold in Bogota. I can't wait.

new shoes

Brad and I wanted to get some new sneakers for our trip so we decided to go to Paseo Bolivar in the center of the city to do our shopping. Shopping there is nice because it's cheap and there are tons of shoe stores.

But when told our taxi driver to take us there he was reluctant. "Listen," he said, "you have to be very careful down there. Very careful. Be careful."

"OK."

For the entirety of the ten minute ride he continued with his warnings. Brad and I have been there before without any problems, but we were beginning to feel like sheep about to be shorn.

As we got further into the center of the city the driver reached back and locked all of the doors. "Very dangerous," he said.

My palms were getting sweaty and my stomach was uneasy and I started to think about turning around. Just then we arrived at Paseo Bolivar and our driver announced that he would accompany us on our shopping trip, just to be safe.

He not only accompanied us, but also bargained for us, which saved us 30,000 pesos, about 15 dollars.

In all it was a safe and successful trip. Today Brad and I are walking around the apartment with our shoes on, trying to break them in before we head out, exactly 48 hours from now!

Packing: A Photo Essay

more good news bad news

Bad news: the head of human resources called me at home Wednesday night to tell me that my passport was sent back from Bogota without my new work visa because I don't have enough pages in my passport.

Good news: I'm going to Bogota on Tuesday to visit the embassy and get more pages. Which means....three extra days of vacation!

Bad news: I have to give up three days of pay.

Good news: I don't care.

Bad news: I busted my flipflop last night

Good news: shoe shopping!

Bad news: nope. no more bad news