The Amazon trip was amazing - this river system is unlike anything I ever imagined. To say it's a "river" is like saying Mount Everest is a hill. There is water everywhere. If you didn't live there and know the area surrounding your waterway like the back of your hand, there's no way you'd ever find your home again.
I am downloading photos now and promise to post some soon. We saw lots, did lots, got bitten lots (Mac has 52 bites on his body and I have 26 - we are very itchy) and lived to tell the tale!
More later!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Quick little catch-up before I go off the grid
Last night Jimmy and I were honored by Colombian friends who hosted a really fabulous going-away party. These parties are always sort of like attending your own funeral: you get to see who shows up and what they have to say about you. I would like for all the people there last night to come to my real funeral. They are so much fun, they're funny, they're interested and interesting, and they've made our lives pretty amazing here in the BOG both on the professional and personal fronts. Pictures will be forthcoming next week.
In preparation for the party, yesterday afternoon I went to get my hair blown out and to get a manicure. (When in Rome and all...) These two treats at my salon set me back 27,000 pesos, which is about $14 USD. I wonder where in the greater Washington, DC area I can find a nice place that does blow-outs and manis for $14??? How does "nowhere" sound? The good news is that my beloved hairdresser here and his partner are planning to visit Washington, DC in September to see his partner's niece. I asked and he confirmed that he always travels with scissors. It's going to be reminiscent of my mother clipping my bangs on the back steps before first grade graduation, but I'm all about a kitchen haircut with Giovanni in September.
Today we leave for the Amazon and I've decided to go totally off the grid. I'm not taking my iPad so no emailing, People.com check-ups, blog stalking, or Facebook status checks until Tuesday when we get back. Can I do this? I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. And if I can't, maybe our little hotel out in the middle of nowhere on the river has a business center? I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. May the force be with me.
Hasta el Martes!
In preparation for the party, yesterday afternoon I went to get my hair blown out and to get a manicure. (When in Rome and all...) These two treats at my salon set me back 27,000 pesos, which is about $14 USD. I wonder where in the greater Washington, DC area I can find a nice place that does blow-outs and manis for $14??? How does "nowhere" sound? The good news is that my beloved hairdresser here and his partner are planning to visit Washington, DC in September to see his partner's niece. I asked and he confirmed that he always travels with scissors. It's going to be reminiscent of my mother clipping my bangs on the back steps before first grade graduation, but I'm all about a kitchen haircut with Giovanni in September.
Today we leave for the Amazon and I've decided to go totally off the grid. I'm not taking my iPad so no emailing, People.com check-ups, blog stalking, or Facebook status checks until Tuesday when we get back. Can I do this? I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. And if I can't, maybe our little hotel out in the middle of nowhere on the river has a business center? I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. May the force be with me.
Hasta el Martes!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Last School Concert
This morning Jimmy and I attended Mac's last school concert at CGB. Mac has taken "Stomp" for the last two years after that disastrous and painful go at the violin.
I've tried to attach the video but I think it's too big. If I can figure out how to put the video on YouTube, I'll attach a link later, but that might require an advanced degree for someone like me.
In the interim, here are two photos:
The music program at CGB is just one of the many, many things we'll miss about this school!
I've tried to attach the video but I think it's too big. If I can figure out how to put the video on YouTube, I'll attach a link later, but that might require an advanced degree for someone like me.
In the interim, here are two photos:
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| Mac's playing the last yellow barrel on the right - he's right in the middle of the group. |
The music program at CGB is just one of the many, many things we'll miss about this school!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
weekend trip
Monday is yet another Colombian holiday so we are taking advantage to go on one last trip. When we were deciding where to go, I suggested a final hurrah to Cartagena but the boys wanted Leticia so we could see the Amazon. (After four years in Brazil and three in Colombia, our 10 year-old son should see the jungle, right?)
I pointed out that it's only the beginning of the famous pink dolphin season in the Amazon so odds were not in our favor that we'd see them, but still the boys wanted to go to the Amazon.
I suggested that we'd be eaten alive by mosquitoes and could get denque or yellow fever, but still the boys wanted the Amazon.
I reminded them of that fancy pool at our favorite hotel in Cartagena where we could splash away the days, and still the boys wanted the Amazon.
So we're flying out on Saturday to Leticia where we'll be transported by a 30-minute boat ride to our hotel The hotel is new - first saving grace - and has air conditioning - second saving grace - and has what looks like an infinity pool next to the river - third saving grace - and only has 10 rooms - fourth saving grace. We might have used up all our saving graces right there. We shall see.
We have three outings included in our package. We will visit an indigenous community where we'll meet the village shaman who will teach us about the culture, learn about trees and medicinal plants, and have the opportunity to buy handicrafts. The second trip is a visit to an Amazonian farm, where we will be able to ride buffalo (I kid you not) and take an ecological walk. The final outing is a trip to the Peruvian side of the Amazon River by boat where we may or may not see those dolphins, we'll have a view of the what-must-be-famous Victoria Regia Hotel (never heard it but they specifically list it), we'll take another ecological walk, and we can rest in hammocks in the middle of the jungle (cue the mosquitoes).
Sounds like a blast, right?
Pictures to come after the weekend, unless I'm in the hospital with dengue.
I pointed out that it's only the beginning of the famous pink dolphin season in the Amazon so odds were not in our favor that we'd see them, but still the boys wanted to go to the Amazon.
I suggested that we'd be eaten alive by mosquitoes and could get denque or yellow fever, but still the boys wanted the Amazon.
I reminded them of that fancy pool at our favorite hotel in Cartagena where we could splash away the days, and still the boys wanted the Amazon.
So we're flying out on Saturday to Leticia where we'll be transported by a 30-minute boat ride to our hotel The hotel is new - first saving grace - and has air conditioning - second saving grace - and has what looks like an infinity pool next to the river - third saving grace - and only has 10 rooms - fourth saving grace. We might have used up all our saving graces right there. We shall see.
We have three outings included in our package. We will visit an indigenous community where we'll meet the village shaman who will teach us about the culture, learn about trees and medicinal plants, and have the opportunity to buy handicrafts. The second trip is a visit to an Amazonian farm, where we will be able to ride buffalo (I kid you not) and take an ecological walk. The final outing is a trip to the Peruvian side of the Amazon River by boat where we may or may not see those dolphins, we'll have a view of the what-must-be-famous Victoria Regia Hotel (never heard it but they specifically list it), we'll take another ecological walk, and we can rest in hammocks in the middle of the jungle (cue the mosquitoes).
Sounds like a blast, right?
Pictures to come after the weekend, unless I'm in the hospital with dengue.
today is the happiest day of the year
1. My replacement got his contract warrant today, so he is officially signing contracts.
2. Because my replacement got his warrant, I had my Blackberry wiped clean and given to him so he can handle all the Blackberry traffic that will surely come his way.
I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders tonight.
2. Because my replacement got his warrant, I had my Blackberry wiped clean and given to him so he can handle all the Blackberry traffic that will surely come his way.
I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders tonight.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
the fish
As I reported to you back on September 8 - here if you need a refresher or here for the next day's follow-up - we bought two goldfish that Mac named Lucky and Goldy.
True to our history, we are nothing if not exemplary fish guardians. Our beta fish in Sao Paulo lived 18 months and we finally had to give him away when we left. And Lucky and Goldy have lived for 10 months and are bigger and better than ever. We seem to have that certain knack for ownership of pets that thrive on neglect, inattention, and a skipped meal every once in awhile.
Well today the time has come to move Lucky and Goldy to their new home. Our friends, the Murphys (with whom we traveled to Peru), have graciously agreed to receive these new pets. We hit them up in Peru at a weak moment just after their pet fish died and to get TWO fish to replace their one fish was a great consolation for their two girls. You know, that's just the kind of person I am. I really thought that Lucky and Goldy would give those young girls, crushed by the loss of their pet, a reason to go on living.
So we packed up everything, gave the tank a good scrub, and prepared the fish for the move. It's a little more complicated than moving a beta fish in its little tiny filter-less tank. In fact, it sort of felt like packing up a child for college.
Mac appeared a little glum about the whole transition, but I think on the inside, he was secretly very happy, seeing as how he did not interact with them. Ever. And seeing as how he only took a recent and minimal interest in them when we told him they were going away. And by minimal interest, I mean he fed them two times this week. Under duress.
The biggest news that we're looking to hear from the Murphys is whether Goldy is indeed pregnant as we all have decided she is. She's grown awfully wide in the last few weeks, is much more sluggish than normal and has - from my limited online research about goldfish pregnancy - the square shape that signals pregnancy.
True to our history, we are nothing if not exemplary fish guardians. Our beta fish in Sao Paulo lived 18 months and we finally had to give him away when we left. And Lucky and Goldy have lived for 10 months and are bigger and better than ever. We seem to have that certain knack for ownership of pets that thrive on neglect, inattention, and a skipped meal every once in awhile.
Well today the time has come to move Lucky and Goldy to their new home. Our friends, the Murphys (with whom we traveled to Peru), have graciously agreed to receive these new pets. We hit them up in Peru at a weak moment just after their pet fish died and to get TWO fish to replace their one fish was a great consolation for their two girls. You know, that's just the kind of person I am. I really thought that Lucky and Goldy would give those young girls, crushed by the loss of their pet, a reason to go on living.
So we packed up everything, gave the tank a good scrub, and prepared the fish for the move. It's a little more complicated than moving a beta fish in its little tiny filter-less tank. In fact, it sort of felt like packing up a child for college.
 |
| These fish nowadays require a lot of stuff. |
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| Mac, taking the fish downstairs to the car, in their transit vessel. |
 |
| Here's to new beginnings (and to new fish babies?)! |
 |
| Adios Goldy and Lucky. We'll miss you. |
it's 5:02am
... and I've been awake since 4:07am. Why, especially when I don't have to work today, am I up so early?
Well I forgot to clean out my "deleted folder" and "sent folder" in work email inbox yesterday (despite repeated notes on my Blackberry the day before that I was over my limit). Last night, I must have really gone over the final limit and now I can't send emails from my Blackberry.
Why does this matter when I'm working only part-time and have a replacement?
It's not so much my job that I'm worried about. My replacement hasn't been issued his contract warrant yet and so he can't actually sign anything but the folks in my office will call me if there's anything critical to deal with.
The problem is that I'm covering for another contracting officer until Thursday morning and she receives a ton of approval requests by email, which I need to answer by email even though I'm not in the office.
So this woke me up at 4:07am and after I worked through the options of how to fix the problem, the only solution I see is to go to the embassy early this morning and clean out my inbox quickly in order to fight traffic to get back home for the pre-pack survey with the moving company at 8:30am.
Also at 4:07am I decided that Blackberries and other smartphones are the root of all evil in the world. Do we have to be connected 24 hours a day?
I.Cannot.Wait.To.Turn.Over.My.BB.
Love,
Grumpy
Well I forgot to clean out my "deleted folder" and "sent folder" in work email inbox yesterday (despite repeated notes on my Blackberry the day before that I was over my limit). Last night, I must have really gone over the final limit and now I can't send emails from my Blackberry.
Why does this matter when I'm working only part-time and have a replacement?
It's not so much my job that I'm worried about. My replacement hasn't been issued his contract warrant yet and so he can't actually sign anything but the folks in my office will call me if there's anything critical to deal with.
The problem is that I'm covering for another contracting officer until Thursday morning and she receives a ton of approval requests by email, which I need to answer by email even though I'm not in the office.
So this woke me up at 4:07am and after I worked through the options of how to fix the problem, the only solution I see is to go to the embassy early this morning and clean out my inbox quickly in order to fight traffic to get back home for the pre-pack survey with the moving company at 8:30am.
Also at 4:07am I decided that Blackberries and other smartphones are the root of all evil in the world. Do we have to be connected 24 hours a day?
I.Cannot.Wait.To.Turn.Over.My.BB.
Love,
Grumpy
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