Downtime in Bogota

January 20, 2012

We are off to Caracas and Isla Margarita tomorrow.  Here in Bogota we have had a few days of intermittent rain and temperatures in the low 60’s, so going to warmer weather and returning to sea level will be a welcome change.  It seems to rain every afternoon here, and today it rained hard and brought thunder, lightning, and pea- size hail stones. Because begin our walks with the sun shining, we are always caught off guard.  The first time this happened, a couple days ago, we had to hail a taxi for the short 4 block ride back to the apartment. So today, I prepared and packed an umbrella and a poncho. The weather again was not threatening rain, so Michael declined to bring his extra provisions.  But about an hour into our walk, we had to run for cover along with the rest of the visitors in Candelaria.  Fortunately for me, we waited in a shopping area where there were multiple stalls, all selling something slightly different and appealing.  I even had an opportunity to watch a woman from Ecuador crochet a Mochila purse. Michael got to practice his Spanish, talking with shopkeepers when words failed me and I needed to ask questions or find out what things cost.  

When the rain lightened a little, and Michael’s patience for shopping ran out, I decided he should wear the poncho, and I would use the umbrella so that we could manage the trip back without getting too soaked. We had to dodge fast moving, river-like streams rushing down the narrow streets which became steadily more crowded by slow moving taxis and motorcycles. Also, we had to compete with people crowding the sidewalks with their umbrellas, and watch out for those running for shelter.  

We have enjoyed our time sampling what “Old Town” Bogota has to offer. We have eaten and enjoyed typical Colombian food, gone to museums, and stopped in a few souvenir shops.  But mostly, we feel grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know and hang out with our new Colombian friends, whom we hope will come visit us in Los Angeles one day. And even thought the weather has not been perfect, and I did suffer a little altitude sickness one day, we have taken the time to catch up on some needed rest that short term travelers often put off in deference to fit in more sight-seeing.  To us it is more like living a normal life, not pressured to pack a lot of activity into every single day.

We will be cutting our stay a few days short on Isla Margarita to return home briefly on January 26^th for a celebration of life luncheon for Michael’s mother, Donna, who, on January 8^th, at eighty-seven, peacefully died in her sleep with her daughters by her side.  This was not totally unexpected because she had not been well for many months.  However, she would intermittently have good days, which made us all hopeful that somehow she could live forever.  Sadly for us, we had planned this trip long before her health status changed so dramatically.  It was not without some conflicting feelings that we left on December 19^thknowing we may never see her again. 

Yet, as we left, we hoped somehow she would just continue to live with only intermittent problems and would still be there upon our return.  At least now she is at peace, and her health challenges are at an end.  Donna was a wonderful, loving, and thoughtful woman who had many friends. She was an unselfish and devoted mother to four, grandmother to eleven, and great-grandmother to eight.  She will be missed by all those who loved her and spent time with her during her long life. We feel that this change in plans will be an important opportunity to share the memories of her life with the people whom she loved. 

On the night of January 30^th we will leave LA on another flight, returning to Caracas to

continue our onward journey to Argentina. Our brief return home will also give us the added opportunity to leave souvenirs and unnecessary items, which will lighten our load. This is something travelers on a six month journey seldom get to do. For those of you who have followed us thus far, we hope you will continue to follow us as we travel south once again.