School Moments

Colombia is celebrating it's 200th birthday this year, and our school got in on some of the action. We invited the president's band to come and play for the kids; we held a delightful art show one whole week in which both students and teachers participated; and one of my second grade classes, with the direction of their amazing Spanish teacher, put on a play that told the story of this country's fight for independence. I was very proud to see my students perform so beautifully!!!!

I would narrate the photos, but unfortunately the show was in Spanish..... and my grasp on the history is limited. I do know that the wife of Simon Bolivar was instrumental in getting the fight for independence rolling, and the many great men were in on the battle.

Salt Mines and Andres Carne de Res

Debbie's hubby came for a visit and so we all took him out to the salt mines ~ not to work! But to see how a mine operates and also to admire the Salt Cathedral (not really a cathedral of salt, but rather a 'finished' mine in which the miners and artists had carved religious figures to be admired as one takes the walk of the crucifixion.









At the end of the working mine tour, we were all ushered to the side as one of the miners planted some dynamite so that we could experience first hand what a blast was like......



Yeah...... that wouldn't have been safe!

So we all headed over to Andres Carne de Res instead!

My Spring Break with My Jennifer

One would think that I would be sad to see Christina go, and I was, BUT..... at the last minute Jennifer decided to come on down to Colombia for her spring break!!!! I could hardly wait to spend some quiet time with her in the Hot Country and then enjoy some of Bogota as well. But... all that hot weather we had been enjoying had to come to an end.

Dang it! On the bus ride to Melgar we were worried....


But luckily we caught some glimpses of sunshine!


And of course, because Jennifer is a kitten whisperer, we also saw some new babies!!


The hotel offered us all that we wanted, including some garlic chicken made to order from the grill (I think the men just liked my gorgeous daughter!!)





After a relaxing stay, and just a few rays of sun, Jennifer and I headed back to Bogota just in time to catch one of the many many shows being presented during the Arts Fair in the city! Ours was sort of a cross between Cirque du Sole and a vaudeville act ~




Beautiful trapeze artists ~


the most flexible woman ever ~



and a beautiful ribbon act ~




along with the famous strong man act ~




But my favorite was the last number ~ slipping and sliding in the water! I wanted to be on the stage!!!


And our short but wonderful visit wouldn't be complete without a dinner out with friends:


Ahhhh ~ :)