Wooch! You posted the Natitoon just about at the same time that she was supposed to be landing in Colombia...so she'll have a nice surprise when she sees it tomorrow. By the way: may I suggest that you change the title of this post so that this becomes the 'place' where Nati can post her anecdotes, updates, pics, etc, from Colombia?? Love DAD
oh la la! carla, this is better than the actual picture, thanks! and the sunflowers in the back are awesome! nice work (as usual)
thanks dad, good idea! i´ll definitely use it to keep you all posted. i´m not too computer saavy, so i{m not sure about posting pics, but certainly updates.
ok! off to my first day at work! bueno suerte to me!
yeah, probably. after all, i AM part of the family too :) I think i'm going to do another one of JB (she deserves to not have a shit one just because she was the first), and i'm going to do alex dawn and guillaume, but i need some more pics of them. Mom and Dad, remind me to look through your pictures when i come home this weekend.
ok, here I go: Now that i finally have access to my computer here at work, first order of business was to post something on the blog. Even though it's just 2 full days into my trip, it feels like I have only been here for 2 hours. The day goes by so quickly and before I know it, I'm back at the hotel, asleep. I haven't had a chance to see anything yet (touristy), but there is no rush. This week has been all about work and what to expect. And you can reach me at my new work account BozzoloNX@state.gov, which is good until i get back to DC. I have a phone too, but there are so many numbers written and then scratched out on the phone itself, i don't know which one is the right one. So, stay tuned, i guess.
I really haven't done much, given that it's only be a few days. Wednesday night, my dirct supervisor, Perry, had a dinner at his house to say good-bye to Marney (the guy i'm replacing) and welcoming me. He made a great lasanga- which happened to be the second lasagna for me that day, I had it for lunch.
I've meet a LOT of people over the course of the last few days, mainly Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs)- these are Colombians who work for the Embassy. They are all incredibly nice and definitely willing to take me out, show me around, take care of me. Last night, they made lasagna (yes, the THIRD serving- i must have it written on my forehead that i like it) and then we went to an art exhibition. Tomorrow afternoon, i'm going with them to play this game which is sort of like horseshoes, except it involves using metal balls and you're trying to hit a target very far away. If you hit it, there is some sort of explosion. It's called 'Tejos.' Sounds like fun to me!! Other than that, my plan is to catch up sleep.
That's it for me! If anything fun or exciting happens, i'll definitely post...but i have a feeling it's going to be a lot of the same- meeting people, visiting new places and eating lasagna. But i'll definitely post!
Munina!! We were all wondering why you took so long to show further signs of life...At least, you're eating lasagna, and that is good...But what's up with that tejos games? You through something that looks like a meatball and it explodes??? Are you sure you're not getting involved in some insurgents movement there??? Ooops. I wrote the word insurgents, now the nsa will be ruining my friday night... Glad to see that all is well, baby. ENJOY!! LOVE Dad
Munina...are you reading this??? How about an update...? I guess no news is good news, but...I'd rather have some news!! The 603ers need you. Write!! LOVE DAD
You're right dad, I haven't been posting as much as I had intended, and it's not because I have nothing to post! But I'll break it down, everything that I have been doing over the past few days:
Work: I'm trying to establish some sort of routine, but I've quickly learned that it is impossible. Coming down here w/ absolutely no direction, not even the slightest clue, as to what i would be doing and expected to the best job ever. It's very hard to prepare yourself for that. I'm getting involved, slowly but surely, on many projects and programs and have taken on a few more responsibilities than I had expected, so I'm having fun. I'll be the "control officer" for the GAO visit (they are coming to inspect our aviation program- given that we put millions of dollars into it a year) in Sept, so beyond doing the logisitical stuff (hotel, transportation, etc set-up) the GAO sent us down a list of questions about our which I'm working on now. It is definitely safe to say that I'm learning a lot!
Spanish: The FSNs are extremely helpful and definitely willing to teach me. A lot of our conversations are in "spanglish" so I can stay afloat and slowly they will be turning all into spanish. I think i'm picking it up quickly, but I'm still very held back. I spend too much time translating spanish into english when people are talking w/ me and then I fall behind. I have to start 'thinking' in spanish and stop relying on english. Any suggestions??? I find that a good way to for me to practice is actually to watch movies in english and read the subtitles (better than vice versa). nos vemos..
Social: I'm meeting someone new everyday and I'm having a great time. It's only been a week and i have done so much. This weekend was a great first weekend here. As I mentioned earlier, I played 'tejos' on saturday and then went to a barbeque-birthday and had a great time. Tejos is a great game, I had SO much fun. I'm incredibly awful at it, but as the day went on, things were exploding left and right! They are getting me my own "tejo" (the metal ball) w/ my name on it. We're going to play again very soon. On Sunday, Claudia took me up into the mountains and we had some more beef. The view was absolutely beautiful. We went up so high, i swear I could touch the clouds. Although my eyes and mind were enjoying my beautiful surroundings, the rest of my body wasn't doing so well and I fainted. Good times! I came to, ate some beef and felt all better. Good beef is always good medicine. I think it was definitely the combination of having not eaten, being SO HIGH (9000+ft) and having a pretty bad cold. After coming down from the mountain, we stopped by the "farmacity" and bought some cold medicine. Yesterday, I layed VERY low. I went back to the hotel, unpacked and was asleep very early. Tonight is another story, we're all playing volleyball after work and then I'm going to dinner w/ Claudia and a few of her friends, in a area called Zona Rosa (where my hotel is)and all the best restaurants.
I'm very happy to be here. It's such a beautiful place and so much to do. But once again, no matter how wonderful a place- all the amazing places, people and sights- I really wish you could see it w/ me. A blog, an email, digital pictures (from a camera i don't own yet), just doesn't do it justice. I've only been here a week, but i feel like i've absorbed so much already, it's so hard to put down into words exactly how i'm feeling, what i'm seeing, who i'm meeting.. Without making these postings seem like entries in a diary, like i was 8 years old just listing everything I did that day, I'm definitely going to try my best to put into words my "tales of a far away land.." I just can't promise they will be any good!
ok, I'll be staying at Embassy Suites until August 29th, after that, i have no idea. i have a cell and my number is 011-57-3-311-491-4203. There might not be that extra '3' after 57, but try it if you guys want to call. I don't know what the hotel number is, but it's online. i'm in room 811 (top floor, baby).
ok! that's all for me now. i'll write more, for sure. This weekend, we're making a trip to a place two hours outside of the city. more tales to come...
So, just when i thought things were slowing down and i was getting settled, they go and put me on a single engine plane and fly me out to Caucasia. Today was probably one of the best days here so far- workwise. Early this morning, I went out to El Dorado Airport (bogota's airport) w/ the NAS Director Julie (muy importante-i work w/ her) and the senior advisor for our aviation programs throughout Colombia. We flew out to Caucasia, which is just north of Medellin. This place is in the middle of nowhere, with nothing there but our Spray Base. We landed around 9am, and took our tour around the base. After watching 5 spray planes take off for eradication, I went on board one of our spray planes that was landed due to bullets in the wing. It was amazing. They simply patch up the bullet hole like it was nothing and it's ready to fly again. It's very common that when the plane returns from spraying the coca plants, there are at least 2-3 bullet holes. It's amazing what it takes for one single plane (seats only 2 people) to go out and spray. Along with the plane, there are at least 4 blackhawks that "protect" and fire back at whomever is shooting at the plane. Nuts. Anyway, i took a few pictures, hopefully i'll be able to post them soon.
I made the mistake of coming into the office after we returned (around 330pm) and now have a few 'taskers' that need to be completed by the end of the week. It's only wednesday and i'm ready for the weekend.
While I'm at it, i'll give you guys a "Where in the World is Guillaume Tarralle" update- he's in Ecuador. He already played in his first tournament and lost. Not because the guy was better than him- and i'm not saying the bc i'm his girlfriend- but because he was sick, w/ a fever, etc.. Anyway, he's getting ready for his next tournament, which is starting next week (i think).
ok! hope everyone is doing well! Carla, when are we going to see some more of your picture-toons? I want to see you, Julian, dawn, guillaume, alex, russell! so many left to do!
Munina, Love your updates. Now, reading that you're pretty little self is flying around on coca plantations in a two-seater being shot at, is the kind of thing that puts my mind at ease. Wonderful. NOW, I'm relaxed.
haha, i'm sorry dad. But really, now worries. Just to clear things up, I went to a Spray Base...it's like an airforce base, but much smaller. And instead of fighter jets, there are planes that spray glyphosate-which is an herbicide that kills the coca plant. It's the same type of plane (almost) they use in the US for agriculture. And when our spray planes go up to spray the coca fields (that have been planted by the FARC), helicopters go up with them, but fly a few minutes behind. Rules of engagement in this "war on drugs" are that we are only allowed to fire when fired upon. So, when the spray planes go out and kill their coca fields (the way the FARC makes money), they get mad and shoot. That's when the helicopters shoot back.
And while this was all going on, I was at the base, many miles away. They showed me how they mix the chemicals. Since a leaf is "designed" to repel water (it rolls off), this chemical is mixed so it is absorbed immediately once it touches the leaf. The plant is dead within minutes (20-30, actually). Zap!
Munina... I can't believe that *my daughter* is filling me in with details about THIS. Just promise me you'll stay away from the bullets. They're not good for you. They do serious damage to your skin, everything underneath, and your psyche. Are you sure you're not revealing state secrets here??
I read your updates and it's like playing back an Indiana Jones movie or in this case, I should really say "Romancing the Stone", right?
I think that this particular posting site has the potential for becoming a blog of its own. Don't you think? At any rate, although I have not been making comments, I have read them all. In doing that, I realize how boring my life is!
I'm an idiot. I didn't get that you would be returning to this post to write updates. But I've finally caught on!
Yes, I agree with Mom, your life is so adventurous. I mean, our are too, just not in the same way. For example, the other night we played a game of dice and I won, but there was a moment when we though Dad might catch up to me...but he didn't. You could TASTE the adventure.
Yeah...I remember that moment...I was so close...I'm still shaken because of that MAJOR event. Nothing that Munina does in Colombia matches the excitement here. Don't feel bad Munina, when you return, we'll play dice with you too... Updates!! Updates!!! Love DAD
well, at least you can say that you play dice. I have no idea that there was a game that involved JUST dice. So, you're one up on me.
I got so incredibly lucky. This friday, I'm going to Cartagena. I was planning on making some trip outside of Bogota w/ Claudia and a few friends, but then this came up. My boss came up to me yesterday and asked me if i could go and represent the US Embassy (NAS- the section i work in) a this reception on the USS Kearsarge. This is a huge Navy warship, that is bringing in one of our helicoptors. They are having a huge reception in Cartagena. So, i'm going and staying for the long weekend. I'll definitely be taking pictures, so hopefully I can find a way to post them..somewhere. In the meantime, stay tuned.
Other than preparing for that trip, i have been working a lot. I stay everyday at the Embassy until at least 6pm. Every tuesday night, we play soccer and surprisingly, i'm not horrible. Of course, "our field" is about 30 ft long, but still. All the Colombians that play say it's in my argentine blood. I usually follow that comment by laughing.
This past weekend went by so quickly. On friday night, I went out to dinner and then out on the town w/ some people from the Embassy. As big as Bogota is, it's amazing how many people you run into. On Saturday, I went to a restaurant called Andres Carne de Res. This place is insane. It's capacity is 2000 people, and it's not that big in size. It's lit only by candles (hazardous? maybe..), every inch of the walls and ceilings are covered in decorations, etc. It was like a latin TGI Fridays x 1 million. The beef was incredibly juicy and mmmm good.. Whoever comes and visits, we're making a trip there. It's a Colombian landmark. And then on Sunday, a friend took me to lunch and then to the mall and at night, i was finally able to do my laundry after 3 weeks. That's it. Next friday, (dad, you probably won't like this), i'm going to the South to a small town called Florencia. We have another base there and a large police unit. It's considered "the jungle" and FARC territory. Exciting!!! It's just a one day trip though, so no worries.
Next weekend will be far more exciting. In the meantime, i'm waiting for Guillaume. He plays his last tournament in Ecuador on Saturday and depending on how well he does, he'll be here next week. It's going to be SO great to have him. I have saved all of my Bogota-sightseeing for him. Again, we'll take pictures. I really hope that some of you guys can make it out here. MomDad? Carla? Jb, you have a good excuse.
Wow...Munina, your stories from C clearly show that you're not having much trouble adapting and enjoying your trip. I think there are clear differences between Eritrea and Colombia, although, somehow, you manage to make it sound as if you ALSO had a good time there (in E.). EIther way, I'm happy for you, very happy. The trip to Florencia...is it one way?? Be careful baby!!! In terms of us visiting...YOU have to let us know how things look for you in the months to follow and we;'ll take it from there! It seems you have a full plate and that entertaining visitors won't be high on your list (unless it's Monsieur GT...). LOVE YOU!!
I guess all those years I spent training you in soccer paid off!
Believe me, a vacation to ANYWHERE sounds good right now, so we'll see how it plays out. On the other hand, we're poor (Alex is cutting cable!) and about to get poorer, so our vacation this fall might be only as far as Richmond, VA.
You should post some pictures. You won't be able to do it in this comments section, but you can start another "corner" if you post to the main blog.
I agree that the Munina corner could be separate from the rest. That is if she cares to post. For those of you who want to call her, the number is 011-57-311-491-4203. That is her cell. I tried it this weekend and worked fine.
26 comments:
Wooch!
You posted the Natitoon just about at the same time that she was supposed to be landing in Colombia...so she'll have a nice surprise when she sees it tomorrow. By the way: may I suggest that you change the title of this post so that this becomes the 'place' where Nati can post her anecdotes, updates, pics, etc, from Colombia??
Love
DAD
does that title work for you dad?
Works for me...I hope it's an inspiration for her, to keep us posted.
Good job on the hair, Carla. The best yet, I think.
oh la la! carla, this is better than the actual picture, thanks! and the sunflowers in the back are awesome! nice work (as usual)
thanks dad, good idea! i´ll definitely use it to keep you all posted. i´m not too computer saavy, so i{m not sure about posting pics, but certainly updates.
ok! off to my first day at work! bueno suerte to me!
-n
Excellent!!!
I really hope you do not get tired of them because these pictures are really fun to see.
Love it!
Are you going to do YOU too?
yeah, probably. after all, i AM part of the family too :) I think i'm going to do another one of JB (she deserves to not have a shit one just because she was the first), and i'm going to do alex dawn and guillaume, but i need some more pics of them. Mom and Dad, remind me to look through your pictures when i come home this weekend.
oh yeah, and Julian of course :)
ok, here I go:
Now that i finally have access to my computer here at work, first order of business was to post something on the blog. Even though it's just 2 full days into my trip, it feels like I have only been here for 2 hours. The day goes by so quickly and before I know it, I'm back at the hotel, asleep. I haven't had a chance to see anything yet (touristy), but there is no rush. This week has been all about work and what to expect. And you can reach me at my new work account BozzoloNX@state.gov, which is good until i get back to DC. I have a phone too, but there are so many numbers written and then scratched out on the phone itself, i don't know which one is the right one. So, stay tuned, i guess.
I really haven't done much, given that it's only be a few days. Wednesday night, my dirct supervisor, Perry, had a dinner at his house to say good-bye to Marney (the guy i'm replacing) and welcoming me. He made a great lasanga- which happened to be the second lasagna for me that day, I had it for lunch.
I've meet a LOT of people over the course of the last few days, mainly Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs)- these are Colombians who work for the Embassy. They are all incredibly nice and definitely willing to take me out, show me around, take care of me. Last night, they made lasagna (yes, the THIRD serving- i must have it written on my forehead that i like it) and then we went to an art exhibition. Tomorrow afternoon, i'm going with them to play this game which is sort of like horseshoes, except it involves using metal balls and you're trying to hit a target very far away. If you hit it, there is some sort of explosion. It's called 'Tejos.' Sounds like fun to me!! Other than that, my plan is to catch up sleep.
That's it for me! If anything fun or exciting happens, i'll definitely post...but i have a feeling it's going to be a lot of the same- meeting people, visiting new places and eating lasagna. But i'll definitely post!
hope all is well! miss you,
-n
Munina!!
We were all wondering why you took so long to show further signs of life...At least, you're eating lasagna, and that is good...But what's up with that tejos games? You through something that looks like a meatball and it explodes??? Are you sure you're not getting involved in some insurgents movement there??? Ooops. I wrote the word insurgents, now the nsa will be ruining my friday night...
Glad to see that all is well, baby. ENJOY!!
LOVE
Dad
Munina...are you reading this???
How about an update...?
I guess no news is good news, but...I'd rather have some news!!
The 603ers need you. Write!!
LOVE
DAD
Hola!
You're right dad, I haven't been posting as much as I had intended, and it's not because I have nothing to post! But I'll break it down, everything that I have been doing over the past few days:
Work: I'm trying to establish some sort of routine, but I've quickly learned that it is impossible. Coming down here w/ absolutely no direction, not even the slightest clue, as to what i would be doing and expected to the best job ever. It's very hard to prepare yourself for that. I'm getting involved, slowly but surely, on many projects and programs and have taken on a few more responsibilities than I had expected, so I'm having fun. I'll be the "control officer" for the GAO visit (they are coming to inspect our aviation program- given that we put millions of dollars into it a year) in Sept, so beyond doing the logisitical stuff (hotel, transportation, etc set-up) the GAO sent us down a list of questions about our which I'm working on now. It is definitely safe to say that I'm learning a lot!
Spanish: The FSNs are extremely helpful and definitely willing to teach me. A lot of our conversations are in "spanglish" so I can stay afloat and slowly they will be turning all into spanish. I think i'm picking it up quickly, but I'm still very held back. I spend too much time translating spanish into english when people are talking w/ me and then I fall behind. I have to start 'thinking' in spanish and stop relying on english. Any suggestions??? I find that a good way to for me to practice is actually to watch movies in english and read the subtitles (better than vice versa). nos vemos..
Social: I'm meeting someone new everyday and I'm having a great time. It's only been a week and i have done so much. This weekend was a great first weekend here. As I mentioned earlier, I played 'tejos' on saturday and then went to a barbeque-birthday and had a great time. Tejos is a great game, I had SO much fun. I'm incredibly awful at it, but as the day went on, things were exploding left and right! They are getting me my own "tejo" (the metal ball) w/ my name on it. We're going to play again very soon. On Sunday, Claudia took me up into the mountains and we had some more beef. The view was absolutely beautiful. We went up so high, i swear I could touch the clouds. Although my eyes and mind were enjoying my beautiful surroundings, the rest of my body wasn't doing so well and I fainted. Good times! I came to, ate some beef and felt all better. Good beef is always good medicine. I think it was definitely the combination of having not eaten, being SO HIGH (9000+ft) and having a pretty bad cold. After coming down from the mountain, we stopped by the "farmacity" and bought some cold medicine. Yesterday, I layed VERY low. I went back to the hotel, unpacked and was asleep very early. Tonight is another story, we're all playing volleyball after work and then I'm going to dinner w/ Claudia and a few of her friends, in a area called Zona Rosa (where my hotel is)and all the best restaurants.
I'm very happy to be here. It's such a beautiful place and so much to do. But once again, no matter how wonderful a place- all the amazing places, people and sights- I really wish you could see it w/ me. A blog, an email, digital pictures (from a camera i don't own yet), just doesn't do it justice. I've only been here a week, but i feel like i've absorbed so much already, it's so hard to put down into words exactly how i'm feeling, what i'm seeing, who i'm meeting.. Without making these postings seem like entries in a diary, like i was 8 years old just listing everything I did that day, I'm definitely going to try my best to put into words my "tales of a far away land.." I just can't promise they will be any good!
ok, I'll be staying at Embassy Suites until August 29th, after that, i have no idea. i have a cell and my number is 011-57-3-311-491-4203. There might not be that extra '3' after 57, but try it if you guys want to call. I don't know what the hotel number is, but it's online. i'm in room 811 (top floor, baby).
ok! that's all for me now. i'll write more, for sure. This weekend, we're making a trip to a place two hours outside of the city. more tales to come...
Munina....7 days since the last update!!! Your life is substantially more interesting than mine, so please post something!!!!
LOVE YOU!
DAD
So, just when i thought things were slowing down and i was getting settled, they go and put me on a single engine plane and fly me out to Caucasia. Today was probably one of the best days here so far- workwise. Early this morning, I went out to El Dorado Airport (bogota's airport) w/ the NAS Director Julie (muy importante-i work w/ her) and the senior advisor for our aviation programs throughout Colombia. We flew out to Caucasia, which is just north of Medellin. This place is in the middle of nowhere, with nothing there but our Spray Base. We landed around 9am, and took our tour around the base. After watching 5 spray planes take off for eradication, I went on board one of our spray planes that was landed due to bullets in the wing. It was amazing. They simply patch up the bullet hole like it was nothing and it's ready to fly again. It's very common that when the plane returns from spraying the coca plants, there are at least 2-3 bullet holes. It's amazing what it takes for one single plane (seats only 2 people) to go out and spray. Along with the plane, there are at least 4 blackhawks that "protect" and fire back at whomever is shooting at the plane. Nuts. Anyway, i took a few pictures, hopefully i'll be able to post them soon.
I made the mistake of coming into the office after we returned (around 330pm) and now have a few 'taskers' that need to be completed by the end of the week. It's only wednesday and i'm ready for the weekend.
While I'm at it, i'll give you guys a "Where in the World is Guillaume Tarralle" update- he's in Ecuador. He already played in his first tournament and lost. Not because the guy was better than him- and i'm not saying the bc i'm his girlfriend- but because he was sick, w/ a fever, etc.. Anyway, he's getting ready for his next tournament, which is starting next week (i think).
ok! hope everyone is doing well! Carla, when are we going to see some more of your picture-toons? I want to see you, Julian, dawn, guillaume, alex, russell! so many left to do!
Munina,
Love your updates. Now, reading that you're pretty little self is flying around on coca plantations in a two-seater being shot at, is the kind of thing that puts my mind at ease.
Wonderful. NOW, I'm relaxed.
Love you
DAD
haha, i'm sorry dad. But really, now worries. Just to clear things up, I went to a Spray Base...it's like an airforce base, but much smaller. And instead of fighter jets, there are planes that spray glyphosate-which is an herbicide that kills the coca plant. It's the same type of plane (almost) they use in the US for agriculture. And when our spray planes go up to spray the coca fields (that have been planted by the FARC), helicopters go up with them, but fly a few minutes behind. Rules of engagement in this "war on drugs" are that we are only allowed to fire when fired upon. So, when the spray planes go out and kill their coca fields (the way the FARC makes money), they get mad and shoot. That's when the helicopters shoot back.
And while this was all going on, I was at the base, many miles away. They showed me how they mix the chemicals. Since a leaf is "designed" to repel water (it rolls off), this chemical is mixed so it is absorbed immediately once it touches the leaf. The plant is dead within minutes (20-30, actually). Zap!
Munina...
I can't believe that *my daughter* is filling me in with details about THIS. Just promise me you'll stay away from the bullets. They're not good for you. They do serious damage to your skin, everything underneath, and your psyche.
Are you sure you're not revealing state secrets here??
LOVE
DAD
I read your updates and it's like playing back an Indiana Jones movie or in this case, I should really say "Romancing the Stone", right?
I think that this particular posting site has the potential for becoming a blog of its own. Don't you think? At any rate, although I have not been making comments, I have read them all. In doing that, I realize how boring my life is!
Love you and miss you.
Chau hermosa!
I'm an idiot. I didn't get that you would be returning to this post to write updates. But I've finally caught on!
Yes, I agree with Mom, your life is so adventurous. I mean, our are too, just not in the same way. For example, the other night we played a game of dice and I won, but there was a moment when we though Dad might catch up to me...but he didn't. You could TASTE the adventure.
Yeah...I remember that moment...I was so close...I'm still shaken because of that MAJOR event. Nothing that Munina does in Colombia matches the excitement here. Don't feel bad Munina, when you return, we'll play dice with you too...
Updates!! Updates!!!
Love
DAD
well, at least you can say that you play dice. I have no idea that there was a game that involved JUST dice. So, you're one up on me.
I got so incredibly lucky. This friday, I'm going to Cartagena. I was planning on making some trip outside of Bogota w/ Claudia and a few friends, but then this came up. My boss came up to me yesterday and asked me if i could go and represent the US Embassy (NAS- the section i work in) a this reception on the USS Kearsarge. This is a huge Navy warship, that is bringing in one of our helicoptors. They are having a huge reception in Cartagena. So, i'm going and staying for the long weekend. I'll definitely be taking pictures, so hopefully I can find a way to post them..somewhere. In the meantime, stay tuned.
Other than preparing for that trip, i have been working a lot. I stay everyday at the Embassy until at least 6pm. Every tuesday night, we play soccer and surprisingly, i'm not horrible. Of course, "our field" is about 30 ft long, but still. All the Colombians that play say it's in my argentine blood. I usually follow that comment by laughing.
This past weekend went by so quickly. On friday night, I went out to dinner and then out on the town w/ some people from the Embassy. As big as Bogota is, it's amazing how many people you run into. On Saturday, I went to a restaurant called Andres Carne de Res. This place is insane. It's capacity is 2000 people, and it's not that big in size. It's lit only by candles (hazardous? maybe..), every inch of the walls and ceilings are covered in decorations, etc. It was like a latin TGI Fridays x 1 million. The beef was incredibly juicy and mmmm good.. Whoever comes and visits, we're making a trip there. It's a Colombian landmark. And then on Sunday, a friend took me to lunch and then to the mall and at night, i was finally able to do my laundry after 3 weeks. That's it.
Next friday, (dad, you probably won't like this), i'm going to the South to a small town called Florencia. We have another base there and a large police unit. It's considered "the jungle" and FARC territory. Exciting!!! It's just a one day trip though, so no worries.
Next weekend will be far more exciting. In the meantime, i'm waiting for Guillaume. He plays his last tournament in Ecuador on Saturday and depending on how well he does, he'll be here next week. It's going to be SO great to have him. I have saved all of my Bogota-sightseeing for him. Again, we'll take pictures. I really hope that some of you guys can make it out here. MomDad? Carla? Jb, you have a good excuse.
Wow Munina! You seem to be having an awesome time. Have Fun and be safe! I love your postings.
Love.
Mom
Wow...Munina, your stories from C clearly show that you're not having much trouble adapting and enjoying your trip. I think there are clear differences between Eritrea and Colombia, although, somehow, you manage to make it sound as if you ALSO had a good time there (in E.). EIther way, I'm happy for you, very happy. The trip to Florencia...is it one way?? Be careful baby!!!
In terms of us visiting...YOU have to let us know how things look for you in the months to follow and we;'ll take it from there! It seems you have a full plate and that entertaining visitors won't be high on your list (unless it's Monsieur GT...).
LOVE YOU!!
DAD
I guess all those years I spent training you in soccer paid off!
Believe me, a vacation to ANYWHERE sounds good right now, so we'll see how it plays out. On the other hand, we're poor (Alex is cutting cable!) and about to get poorer, so our vacation this fall might be only as far as Richmond, VA.
You should post some pictures. You won't be able to do it in this comments section, but you can start another "corner" if you post to the main blog.
love,
JB
I agree that the Munina corner could be separate from the rest. That is if she cares to post.
For those of you who want to call her, the number is 011-57-311-491-4203. That is her cell. I tried it this weekend and worked fine.
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