We have been back over a week! I meant to blog before, but the first 5 days were a whirlwind with my family here, and then since then, frankly, I haven't been able to get my nose out of Gone Girl long enough to think about anything other than keeping the kids from wreaking complete havoc on the house and each other.
Let me start by saying.. We had THE BEST time with my family here, and I think they had a great time too! We did so much fun stuff. We went to Park Chicamocha and Panache and zip lined over the side of a mountain.
(Very fun, but I doubt I would ever do it again as I am not really one for heights :) We went for a tour and coffee tasting at a coffee plantation- Mesa de Los Santos. They sell their beans for up to $200 a pound! That was a definite re-do I think! I don't know that we would do the tour again, but the plantation itself is so calm and peaceful.
I could definitely see us going back to stay at the B&B! We also did a whole bunch of other things around Bucaramanga and Floridablanca. It was definitely an unforgettable trip! It was hard to see everyone leave on Tuesday, but I know they will be back again to visit!
So here we are. I am trying to get back into my Colombian life. Today that meant taking to the kids to the pool, coming home, showering, scrubbing my feet and slathering them with heavy shea butter cream, (since my pedicurist was completely and utterly disgusted with the shape of my feet yesterday. She honestly looked sad for me.) and now sitting at the computer with a glass of leftover champagne from our anniversary yesterday! (Hey- i'm still in vacation mode :) I have to say, I really love it here.. Johana was so excited to see us, especially Charlie, and let me tell you- I was so glad to see her! I started tidying here and helping in the kitchen since I have been doing it for a couple months, and I got shoo-ed away. It sure is nice to have some help!
I did realize though that I have lingering shopping-in-the-USA-itis. We needed a baby gate to put in the kitchen door to keep Charlie away from everything dangerous, and only one store carries them. And they only have two styles. And they are only the heavy duty bolt them to the wall with screws fancy walk through gates. Not to mention the fact that they are between $55-$85. UGH I only want a standard cheap normal gate! Then we wanted to look at car seats since we are in dire need. That was a mistake in our grumpy hungry state. Pretty much the only way to get an American made carseat is to buy it in a combo with a Maclaren stroller. We don't need a stroller. And we definitely don't need a pricy stroller. $%*#!!! I think I am still bitter that we weren't able to bring our Graco MyRides with us on the plane. They are too big for a carry on, and, in fact, are oversized. A big $270 per carseat to check them. I am beginning to think it would have been worth it. I am sure that there are good Colombian carseats, and I am sure that they are safe.. When installed correctly.. Emma's carseat here makes me nervous. I never know if it is in right because it doesn't have the latch system, and you have to snake the seatbelt all through the back of it. I just want one that I know how to install, and know that it is safe, reliable, and predictable! Also, I would LOVE to be able to look online, research what they have here, and see what will be best for us.. But here they don't really use the internet as much as we do, so for now, we just need to go store to store and see what we see.
Anyway, enough of that.
I have been practicing driving more, and I have to say, I am getting much better! I am much less nervous about the other drivers. I also drove home from the farm the other day, which is very dicey. It is a dirt road with tons of holes, and bumps. And at times, you are mere inches from going over a cliff. The hardest part for me was keeping my eyes on the road :) I am so used to just looking over the side at all the farms, mountains, and taking it all in. This is impossible while trying to not drive over the edge.
So our 4th Anniversary was yesterday! I can't believe how fast the time has passed! Like my mom mentioned- it really HAS been a whirlwind 4 years! We have had two kids, lived in two countries, and have done some traveling! It has been a busy but great time! We didn't really do too much to celebrate yesterday.
With it right after the holidays, and my family here until the 1st, we completely forgot to make plans! We ended up eating El Corral, drinking champagne, and watching How I Met Your Mother before turning in early. Not very exciting, but just the thing we were up for doing! I think we will go on a weekend getaway in the next month or so to make up for it. There are SO many places in the country that I would love to see and visit. Or maybe we will go somewhere else in S.A.? Or the Caribbean? We'll see!
Alright, well time for me to watcher the master empanada maker (Johana) go to work, so I can give my mom the recipe!
(Very fun, but I doubt I would ever do it again as I am not really one for heights :) We went for a tour and coffee tasting at a coffee plantation- Mesa de Los Santos. They sell their beans for up to $200 a pound! That was a definite re-do I think! I don't know that we would do the tour again, but the plantation itself is so calm and peaceful. 
I could definitely see us going back to stay at the B&B! We also did a whole bunch of other things around Bucaramanga and Floridablanca. It was definitely an unforgettable trip! It was hard to see everyone leave on Tuesday, but I know they will be back again to visit!
So here we are. I am trying to get back into my Colombian life. Today that meant taking to the kids to the pool, coming home, showering, scrubbing my feet and slathering them with heavy shea butter cream, (since my pedicurist was completely and utterly disgusted with the shape of my feet yesterday. She honestly looked sad for me.) and now sitting at the computer with a glass of leftover champagne from our anniversary yesterday! (Hey- i'm still in vacation mode :) I have to say, I really love it here.. Johana was so excited to see us, especially Charlie, and let me tell you- I was so glad to see her! I started tidying here and helping in the kitchen since I have been doing it for a couple months, and I got shoo-ed away. It sure is nice to have some help!
I did realize though that I have lingering shopping-in-the-USA-itis. We needed a baby gate to put in the kitchen door to keep Charlie away from everything dangerous, and only one store carries them. And they only have two styles. And they are only the heavy duty bolt them to the wall with screws fancy walk through gates. Not to mention the fact that they are between $55-$85. UGH I only want a standard cheap normal gate! Then we wanted to look at car seats since we are in dire need. That was a mistake in our grumpy hungry state. Pretty much the only way to get an American made carseat is to buy it in a combo with a Maclaren stroller. We don't need a stroller. And we definitely don't need a pricy stroller. $%*#!!! I think I am still bitter that we weren't able to bring our Graco MyRides with us on the plane. They are too big for a carry on, and, in fact, are oversized. A big $270 per carseat to check them. I am beginning to think it would have been worth it. I am sure that there are good Colombian carseats, and I am sure that they are safe.. When installed correctly.. Emma's carseat here makes me nervous. I never know if it is in right because it doesn't have the latch system, and you have to snake the seatbelt all through the back of it. I just want one that I know how to install, and know that it is safe, reliable, and predictable! Also, I would LOVE to be able to look online, research what they have here, and see what will be best for us.. But here they don't really use the internet as much as we do, so for now, we just need to go store to store and see what we see.
Anyway, enough of that.
I have been practicing driving more, and I have to say, I am getting much better! I am much less nervous about the other drivers. I also drove home from the farm the other day, which is very dicey. It is a dirt road with tons of holes, and bumps. And at times, you are mere inches from going over a cliff. The hardest part for me was keeping my eyes on the road :) I am so used to just looking over the side at all the farms, mountains, and taking it all in. This is impossible while trying to not drive over the edge.
So our 4th Anniversary was yesterday! I can't believe how fast the time has passed! Like my mom mentioned- it really HAS been a whirlwind 4 years! We have had two kids, lived in two countries, and have done some traveling! It has been a busy but great time! We didn't really do too much to celebrate yesterday. 
With it right after the holidays, and my family here until the 1st, we completely forgot to make plans! We ended up eating El Corral, drinking champagne, and watching How I Met Your Mother before turning in early. Not very exciting, but just the thing we were up for doing! I think we will go on a weekend getaway in the next month or so to make up for it. There are SO many places in the country that I would love to see and visit. Or maybe we will go somewhere else in S.A.? Or the Caribbean? We'll see!
Alright, well time for me to watcher the master empanada maker (Johana) go to work, so I can give my mom the recipe!
No comments:
Post a Comment