Happy and Sad

July 27, 2009

We have had one heck of a summer! We've been in Virginia, D.C., South Carolina, Louisiana (Baton Rouge for 2 days and New Orleans for 4 days), Philadelphia, and New York. Whew. For those considering traveling around for 6 weeks... DON'T. For all the fun it's also been really tiring. Not to mention I've packed and unpacked so many times and visited so many homes that I have bought things like shampoo, toothpaste and goggles 3 thousand times over because I keep leaving them in other people's homes!

I love the United States. Really, live outside our beautiful country and you'll see what I mean. Colombia is nice - don't misunderstand. The country is beautiful, the people so warm and friendly, there is lot's to do and see but... THEY SPEAK SPANISH! I know that I already knew that, and of course you did too, but really after a while it's just annoying. Maybe after 3 years that won't be an issue. Also they don't have the conveniences there that make my life easier. This may sound trivial but think about no prepared/canned products. Want to make tomato sauce... go buy some tomatoes and start from scratch because you're not getting them in a can! Hummus anyone... um yeah go buy some dried beans and cook them for 3 years because you are at 9000 feet. Maybe it will be ready next week. And anyone who thinks DC traffic is bad NEEDS to come to Colombia for some perspective.

Sold you on the place didn't I :o) Just a little drama people. We have some great friends there. And not just American or Colombian. We have met people from all over: England, Australia, Israel, Honduras, Spain, Singapore - I could go on. And the kids are learning to speak Spanish, so cute. The country is REALLY kid oriented too. Lot's for them to do. And it's beautiful. Granted there are some really poor people living in some less than desirable conditions but the country itself is amazing. I want to visit the amazon and coffee regions. I've also heard that San Andres is amazing, located on the Caribbean. The fruits and veggies are SO fresh and you can buy some yummy tropical fruits that you can't buy here. Well, I don't know, maybe in a specialty market for a thousand dollars a pound but you get the point.

Therefore I am happy and sad. In the end, I need to get back to my own house with my own space and my own stuff. The kids need some structure back too. We've stayed so long they are actually asking to go back. Yeah!