Update From Bogota

Household Effects (HHE) essentially is all of our belongings like our furniture, TVs, kitchen items, fake Christmas Tree, etc..  We have been in Bogota for over a month and our HHE has been here for weeks awaiting Colombian government approval so it can be delivered to our home.  While we are very greatful that the Embassy provides us a "welcome kit", we seriously want our stuff! Thankfully the wheels are in motion and we are to receive our HHE Monday just in time for the holidays.  

Meanwhile, here are some random pictures from our time in Bogota.

Random Fireworks just outside our window
Random Fireworks going off near our home
Annika trying on Mom's shoes
Bogota Sunsets
Bogota Sunsets
Ciclovia
Every Sunday Bogota has a Ciclovia where some streets are closed for bikers, roller bladers, runners, and walkers
Annika enjoying the many parks here in Bogota
Annika enjoying the many parks here in Bogota
Park on a Sunday
Park filled on a Sunday
Sous Chef
Sous Chef

Embassy Holiday Party 2015

The U.S. Embassy was nice enough to host a holiday party for the kids to include a special visit from Santa. Unfortunately, Annika is still at the scared ****less phase when it comes to Santa.  This day also turned into a mini photo shoot.

To view the entire album click here.

Annika in her festive Christmas sweats/warm-ups
Ready to go!
Annika, with Mom and Isa, at a respectable distance from Santa
Outdoors on a grass field and food in her hand - what's more to love?
Outdoors on a grass field and food in her hand - what's more to love?
Annika pondering her next meal
Leading with her stomach
Notice any resemblance??
Notice any resemblance??


Cartagena

Just an hour flight from Bogota is Cartagena, a port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast.  Julia and I along with our good friends that were in town visiting, stayed at a hotel inside the walled Old Town with its picturesque colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and fantastic restaurants.  Drinking a limonada de coco is a must to keep cool as Cartagena can be hot and humid.  The seafood is also a must.  Just about every restaurant we visited had some fantastic seafood with my favorite being the Snapper in a curry sauce from the restaurant Carmen.  We took an "adventurous" hour long boat ride to Isla Rosario for a little relaxation and beach fun.  Definitely returning.

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Cartagena equals great seafood!
Boat ride to the Isla Rosario
Isla Rosario
Isla Rosario
Isla Rosario
Isla Rosario
View of Cartagena from the rooftop of our hotel
Strolling through the streets of Cartagena
At Hotel Quadrifolio
Patacona!
Trombone player walking along the wall of the Old Town (he wasn't very good)