So, last night I sort of lost my wallet. Well, it's not exactly 'lost'. Last night my wallet was stolen. Well, that's not exactly true either.............. Okay, fine! I gave it away! Okay?!
It's not as hard to do as one would think. Let me set the stage:
It's evening. My friends, Kim and Aaron, have just finished their grades and successfully uploaded them into this new Webgrader that we are using at school. So they suggest that we all go out for dinner and drinks to celebrate. We head down La Quinta (5th Ave.) to the Bogota Beer Company for some good, cheap food and beer. We eat and talk and talk.... but I can't finish the burger, so I ask the waitress to pack it up for me, which she gladly does. We chat for a bit more and then, since we all have to go to work in the morning, and Aaron needs to run by the grocery store for a few things first, we head out into the cool but pleasant Bogota night air. We stroll to the end of the block, towards Carulla (the grocer) and as we approach the corner a street urchin comes along side of us begging for money. We see a bit of this in Bogota, for although the city is filled with many rich and powerful people, it also has a huge population of very very very poor. Anyway, she is an adorable girl and, as I frequently do, I hand over my bag with my leftovers.
Yeah.
Anyway, it isn't until later, in the store that I realize I can't pay because I don't have my WALLET!!!!!!! I drop the fruits and veggies I had collected and race up the stairs and back out into the night (not gonna lie.... I had a momentary vision of her standing outside holding up my wallet. "Miss. Miss, you left your wallet in the bag."
Didn't happen.
As I race past the BBC, the guard from the door stops me to see why I am upset. I explain about the girl ~ he knows he (seems this is her 'corner' so to speak) and he saw her run past and up the next street. So, while he calls the cops, I make my way up the street looking in vain for the little girl in the red sweater carrying an impeccably tasteful wallet......
No luck.
Long story short: the police said that she most likely took the money and trashed the wallet (whatever!!!!!); I went home and called all my banks, both here and in the US to block my cards; had a very fitful night's sleep imagining my beautiful wallet laying in a dumpster somewhere!
Today was productive though (despite my lack-of-sleep-headache). A driver, Omar, took me to the police station to file the report. Well, that is, we went to the police station but couldn't find parking so we drove off and headed to a large parking lot (for a larger Carulla, I think) where we walked up to what looked like an unhitched horse trailer. Not even kidding! And that is where we filed the report with a very smartly dressed Colombian policeman.
Then it was off to DAS (their FBI) where I had to wait on a bench, and then wait in line, and then wait in a chair while the most wonderful Jorge took care of my paperwork for me (I am afterall, a Gringo......). He got me through pretty quickly and in under two hours I was filed, stapled, fingerprinted, and released with the knowledge that my cedula (THE Colombian identification card ~ more important than your passport!!!) would be on its way to me in a matter of days...........
Then poor Omar drove me to the bank where again I filled out paperwork and was assured my new bank card would be in my hands in five days ~ next Thursday.......... yeah, that's right. You do the math. I couldn't.
In the meantime, I am planning to 'work the corner' until I see that little waif again. I just want that wallet back......!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Botero
Yesterday was a GORGEOUS day ~ sunny, warm, bright...you get the idea. And I was working. At school. Inside. On a BEAUTIFUL Saturday. Yeah. Actually, in a geeky kind of way, I enjoyed my work at school. We were sooooooo productive. We are (those of you in Washington will love this ~) working on standards and benchmarks!!!!! Yay!!!! It was just tough because it was such a WONDERFUL day outside.
Today was not as gorgeous or beautiful, but it was a wonderful day. Despite the clouds and the little rain shower later, I called a cab and headed for La Candelaria. Yup, I was off to the Botero museum!
I was surprised that the museum did not only have Botero's work, but also pieces from his personal collection including Dali, Chagal, Pissaro, Renoir, Calder, Picasso, Ernst..... I could go on!
As well as Colombian artists.
And some modern art as well! I really thought the shower curtain one was awesome!!! The other one is a very interesting look at what future archeologists might find!
And this is my favorite. I forgot the name of the artist, so I will have to go back, but I just loved the 'lady of the sea' idea. I would hang this in my house!
There was plenty of Botero's work too, though! Botero is a very famous artist from Colombia (born in 1932 in Medallin, in fact!). He studied in Europe and Mexico, and while being influenced by the works of great masters and the muralism in Mexico, he developed his own unique style. Botero is known for his over-inflated figures, often referred to as 'fat people'.
While I was looking around the museum (which is housed in an old hacienda in the La Candelaria district)
I was frustrated by the fact that I didn't really know much about him and my Spanish is not good enough to read the museum signs.... So, I asked if there were any tours in English. Nope, not on Sundays because it is way too crowded.... (I don't understand that either). I went on my way, trying to figure some things out, and about half an hour later a woman from the museum found me and gave me my own private tour!!! I love being a Gringo in Colombia!!! Seriously, I have never lived anywhere where they make such an effort to please!
So I learned lots today! She told me that Botero is "celebrating the life within them while mocking their role in the world," as you can see when you look closely at his work. Here is a work that very much shows what she was talking about. In the fifties family was a huge 'theme' in Columbia (as in the States!). The 'perfect' family, that is. So Botero painted one. Except that if you look closely, you notice a snake in the tree seemingly pointing to the man's hand where you can see that he is wearing two wedding rings ~ one for his wife and one for his mistress! He's not the only one who is not what he appears to be, though. Also in the painting is an apple, fallen from the tree with a bite taken out of it. It lays at the feet of the woman who is holding a child on her lap. A child who, interestingly, bears no resemblance to her husband!!!!
My day was absolutely FANTASTIC! In fact, on the way home I changed my mind and had the cab driver take me to the Pan Americana and bought an easel so I can start painting!
Today was not as gorgeous or beautiful, but it was a wonderful day. Despite the clouds and the little rain shower later, I called a cab and headed for La Candelaria. Yup, I was off to the Botero museum!
I was surprised that the museum did not only have Botero's work, but also pieces from his personal collection including Dali, Chagal, Pissaro, Renoir, Calder, Picasso, Ernst..... I could go on!
As well as Colombian artists.
And some modern art as well! I really thought the shower curtain one was awesome!!! The other one is a very interesting look at what future archeologists might find!
And this is my favorite. I forgot the name of the artist, so I will have to go back, but I just loved the 'lady of the sea' idea. I would hang this in my house!
There was plenty of Botero's work too, though! Botero is a very famous artist from Colombia (born in 1932 in Medallin, in fact!). He studied in Europe and Mexico, and while being influenced by the works of great masters and the muralism in Mexico, he developed his own unique style. Botero is known for his over-inflated figures, often referred to as 'fat people'.
While I was looking around the museum (which is housed in an old hacienda in the La Candelaria district)
I was frustrated by the fact that I didn't really know much about him and my Spanish is not good enough to read the museum signs.... So, I asked if there were any tours in English. Nope, not on Sundays because it is way too crowded.... (I don't understand that either). I went on my way, trying to figure some things out, and about half an hour later a woman from the museum found me and gave me my own private tour!!! I love being a Gringo in Colombia!!! Seriously, I have never lived anywhere where they make such an effort to please!
So I learned lots today! She told me that Botero is "celebrating the life within them while mocking their role in the world," as you can see when you look closely at his work. Here is a work that very much shows what she was talking about. In the fifties family was a huge 'theme' in Columbia (as in the States!). The 'perfect' family, that is. So Botero painted one. Except that if you look closely, you notice a snake in the tree seemingly pointing to the man's hand where you can see that he is wearing two wedding rings ~ one for his wife and one for his mistress! He's not the only one who is not what he appears to be, though. Also in the painting is an apple, fallen from the tree with a bite taken out of it. It lays at the feet of the woman who is holding a child on her lap. A child who, interestingly, bears no resemblance to her husband!!!!
My day was absolutely FANTASTIC! In fact, on the way home I changed my mind and had the cab driver take me to the Pan Americana and bought an easel so I can start painting!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Harry Potter lives!
Well, it seems that several years ago there was an administrator at CNG from Great Britain, and in the English tradition, she created "houses" at this school in Colombia. There are now four houses: Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, and Ospreys. I am in the orange house of Osprey (I chose it in memory of the pair of ospreys that have a nest in the stadium lights at the old football field in Camas).
That's me with Don, Dahlia, and Avon
On Wednesday CNG held an inauguration for the new soccer field that was built on the premises.
There are the house flags ~ and the man holding the green one is Alberto. He is the guy who has helped me furnish my house and hang my paintings. He's great!
Unfortunately, I had to work all day with some math specialists so I missed the activities, but we were allowed out for the opening ceremonies, of which the national anthems of both Colombia and the US are sung,
along with the school song. This is my favorite part anyway.....! Then Dr. McCombs spoke to the children, imbibing the school motto: To prepare tomorrow's leaders by educating the mind, nurturing the mind, and strengthening the body, focusing of course on the body since he was dedicating the new soccer field.
Here are some of my kids (those who are Ospreys, anyway)
And some of those kids with my principal, Mr. Gilman. Fun, fun, fun!
That's me with Don, Dahlia, and Avon
On Wednesday CNG held an inauguration for the new soccer field that was built on the premises.
There are the house flags ~ and the man holding the green one is Alberto. He is the guy who has helped me furnish my house and hang my paintings. He's great!
Unfortunately, I had to work all day with some math specialists so I missed the activities, but we were allowed out for the opening ceremonies, of which the national anthems of both Colombia and the US are sung,
along with the school song. This is my favorite part anyway.....! Then Dr. McCombs spoke to the children, imbibing the school motto: To prepare tomorrow's leaders by educating the mind, nurturing the mind, and strengthening the body, focusing of course on the body since he was dedicating the new soccer field.
Here are some of my kids (those who are Ospreys, anyway)
And some of those kids with my principal, Mr. Gilman. Fun, fun, fun!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia
So, I found out today that I am not the only Gringo here who uses Babblefish to help learn Spanish phrases. Or that I am the only one to use Babblefish to prepare scripts for certain ventures (like the time I went with only-Spanish-speaking Alberto to buy my living room sofa tables).
Turns out that my friend, Marcia, does the same. In fact, she is more organized than I, in that she keeps her scripts for various occasions so that she can use them again in the future. Good plan.
Well, turns out that this weekend, my friend Marcia, went with Suzanne to the bank to get a copy of her statement. Suzanne came by to pick her up so Marcia quickly grabbed her coat, purse, and script and off they went. Well, downstairs in the bank, Marcia is told that she will have to go upstairs to talk to someone about getting a statement. No worries, she tells Suzanne (who is a fantastic Spanish speaker). Marcia is confident that with her script, which she is pulling out of her purse, she will be fine upstairs, and that Suzanne can wait downstairs. Suzanne, ever helpful, gets a peek at the script as Marcia is zipping her bag back up and her eye catches on the word "destacar" which means to color or highlight...... Luckily she asks Marcia about it and the two of them discover that Marcia had picked up her script for the hairdressers! So the two of them made a spectacle of themselves laughing until tears ran down their cheeks at the thought of Marcia upstairs in the very austere bank asking for a little off the ends, color for her roots, and a few highlights!!!!!!
What a great Monday story! Thanks Marcia!
Turns out that my friend, Marcia, does the same. In fact, she is more organized than I, in that she keeps her scripts for various occasions so that she can use them again in the future. Good plan.
Well, turns out that this weekend, my friend Marcia, went with Suzanne to the bank to get a copy of her statement. Suzanne came by to pick her up so Marcia quickly grabbed her coat, purse, and script and off they went. Well, downstairs in the bank, Marcia is told that she will have to go upstairs to talk to someone about getting a statement. No worries, she tells Suzanne (who is a fantastic Spanish speaker). Marcia is confident that with her script, which she is pulling out of her purse, she will be fine upstairs, and that Suzanne can wait downstairs. Suzanne, ever helpful, gets a peek at the script as Marcia is zipping her bag back up and her eye catches on the word "destacar" which means to color or highlight...... Luckily she asks Marcia about it and the two of them discover that Marcia had picked up her script for the hairdressers! So the two of them made a spectacle of themselves laughing until tears ran down their cheeks at the thought of Marcia upstairs in the very austere bank asking for a little off the ends, color for her roots, and a few highlights!!!!!!
What a great Monday story! Thanks Marcia!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Shout Out to Princesses! (or "Save the Chickens!!!")
That's right ~ it's Princess Time!!!
Last weekend there was a huge race, raising funds for the fight against breast cancer. I was very excited about participating, not because I knew how large it was going to be, but because I needed the exercise and the cause is a great one! I was also going with some friends I don't usually do things with, so it was going to be a nice change of pace. So, I got all dressed in my walking shorts and tank top, attached my iPod for my listening pleasure, and laced up my shoes. As I stopped at my portero's (which you ALWAYS have to do; to chat and exchange pleasantries before passing) I told him what I was setting out to do on that sunny day. Of course, you again have to remember that my Spanish is not the best.... So I tell him that I am going to "cambinar contra cancer de pecho." Not bad, I think.....
Well, off to the race! Kim and Liz and I head for the Parque Simon Bolivar where, much to my surprise, there is a ginormous crowd!!!!! Wow! I couldn't believe my eyes! And to make it even more heart-warming, the women were all decked out in the official race shirt (which we Gringos didn't have because we didn't know to go pick it up), which was hot pink!! So there I stood, looking out over a sea of pink and black ~ not gonna lie, a tear sprang to my eye. It was like the Pavement Princesses from PTC en masse!!!!! Gosh I miss that relay!
Anyway, there were so many women, there it was crazy. There was also a huge bandstand with live music and a fitness instructor doing warm-up moves with the crowd before the races started. Most of that was pretty US ~ kind of Jazzersizy with aerobics and jazz squares. But here's the twist: after a little of that, they did some real dance moves ~ Salsa of course!!! It was great! Colombia sure is fun!!
Anyway, the race went great, even though we are still not sure if we walked in the right group! But as we were walking I noticed a banner over the street that said "blah blah 'contra cancer de sino'....." I asked my Spanish speaking friend what sino was and she said it was breast. Oh. "So", I asked her, "what does 'pecho' mean then?" "Well, it means breast too, but is used to refer to chicken breast, like on a menu." How did she know that is where I found the word?????????? Dang it.
We had a fantastic lunch (after driving our cab driver crazy driving all around town looking for a Mexican restaurant that was open!!!) and then went home and.... you guessed it ~ napped!!!!
Last weekend there was a huge race, raising funds for the fight against breast cancer. I was very excited about participating, not because I knew how large it was going to be, but because I needed the exercise and the cause is a great one! I was also going with some friends I don't usually do things with, so it was going to be a nice change of pace. So, I got all dressed in my walking shorts and tank top, attached my iPod for my listening pleasure, and laced up my shoes. As I stopped at my portero's (which you ALWAYS have to do; to chat and exchange pleasantries before passing) I told him what I was setting out to do on that sunny day. Of course, you again have to remember that my Spanish is not the best.... So I tell him that I am going to "cambinar contra cancer de pecho." Not bad, I think.....
Well, off to the race! Kim and Liz and I head for the Parque Simon Bolivar where, much to my surprise, there is a ginormous crowd!!!!! Wow! I couldn't believe my eyes! And to make it even more heart-warming, the women were all decked out in the official race shirt (which we Gringos didn't have because we didn't know to go pick it up), which was hot pink!! So there I stood, looking out over a sea of pink and black ~ not gonna lie, a tear sprang to my eye. It was like the Pavement Princesses from PTC en masse!!!!! Gosh I miss that relay!
Anyway, there were so many women, there it was crazy. There was also a huge bandstand with live music and a fitness instructor doing warm-up moves with the crowd before the races started. Most of that was pretty US ~ kind of Jazzersizy with aerobics and jazz squares. But here's the twist: after a little of that, they did some real dance moves ~ Salsa of course!!! It was great! Colombia sure is fun!!
Anyway, the race went great, even though we are still not sure if we walked in the right group! But as we were walking I noticed a banner over the street that said "blah blah 'contra cancer de sino'....." I asked my Spanish speaking friend what sino was and she said it was breast. Oh. "So", I asked her, "what does 'pecho' mean then?" "Well, it means breast too, but is used to refer to chicken breast, like on a menu." How did she know that is where I found the word?????????? Dang it.
We had a fantastic lunch (after driving our cab driver crazy driving all around town looking for a Mexican restaurant that was open!!!) and then went home and.... you guessed it ~ napped!!!!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
The Girls Are Coming!!!!!
Just a quick note to let the whole world know......
..... my girls are officially coming for Christmas!!!! Tickets for their stay have been purchased and we are going to have a great time here in Bogota, on the coast in Cartegena, and on the Isla Pirate off the coast of Cartegena! Yay!!!!!!
I love my girls!!!!!!
..... my girls are officially coming for Christmas!!!! Tickets for their stay have been purchased and we are going to have a great time here in Bogota, on the coast in Cartegena, and on the Isla Pirate off the coast of Cartegena! Yay!!!!!!
I love my girls!!!!!!
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