Random Shots of a Colombian Summer.

Sometimes - okay, often actually - you find yourself caught up in life with little time to actually reconnect with the photos of summer. Sometimes, like this one, it's because the summer was just filled with life and laughter and beautiful memories. Our time with 'cott and 'becca and Lizzie was wonderful, as it always is, and included some pretty colorful visits to our favorite places in central Colombia. But then there were those moments that add that little spice to life... the beautiful lush side street that takes you down a path you hadn't planned on visiting. That colorful wall you just have to take a picture next to. The flower-filled garden with the hammock that lulls you into the quiet sense of serenity that cities just can't match.  And then there's the discovery of the little things - in this case the worms in the garden where we stayed in Villa de Leyva - and the bigger things like the rocks in the local part... perfect for climbing!  

Whatever the moment, it was a summer filled with "wows" and we could not have been happier to extend our friendship into one of our homelands with our chosen family who took the time to come to Bogota for a visit!  On to other journeys and other beautiful memories!  

Tree Planting, Abuelita Style

Anyone who knows abuelita knows that she has a green thumb extraordinaire!  She loves her garden and, though busy each and every day, is happiest when in the garden with her flowers, trees and plants. On this visit she wanted to make a gift to her grandchildren... the gift of planting a fruit tree for each. The girls worked under the tutelage of the gardener, Oliverio, receiving pointers about how to mix the soil and plant the trees. It's something that girls have done before, in Malaysia, but this time they will be able to see the growth of their trees over time.  During the process the girls decided that the gloves they had were just getting in the way so, in true "get your hands dirty" fashion they took them off and finished the job with their bare hands, enjoying the coolness of the soil. 

Irini chose the apple tree, and planted it closest to the house in the front garden. Amalia chose the peach tree. across from the apple tree just inside the front wall. Both trees are now happily placed in their respective 'home' space and they have been watered appropriately by the two gardeners in training.  With love (of which we are sure there will be plenty) and time their newly liberated roots will take hold in the ground below, allowing them to grow. Within two to three years, we are told, we could be welcoming the first apples to the house. 

It'll be useful training too because, when we return home one of the top priorities is the creation of the garden, including planting of trees, flowers, herbs and - hopefully - fruit trees as well. How wonderful it is to be part of the creation and support of life!  Muchas gracias abuelita! Te queremos muchisimo!

Villa de Leyva, Once Again.

It had been four years since we'd been there. Villa de Leyva, though increasingly touristy, still holds a very special place in our hearts. A beautiful small town with colonial architectual style it is hard not to recognize it's splendor.  Trying to keep the weekend crowd as far out of the picture as possible we opted to head there during the week. For added good measure we also booked a place outside of town (a first for us). The set up could not have been better... a wonderful house with lots of natural light indoors and a whole lot of space outdoors. 

Those who've been to Villa de Leyva will know that the light there - especially on clear days - is simply perfect. This house allowed us to enjoy it to the maximum as it was set at an angle to the mountainside, giving us panoramic views to nothing but color, mountains and clouds. The night time was even more spectacular as the dark seemed to jump out at us, revealing a sky full of millions of specks of beautiful light, traveling through the universe to reach us. We sat and marveled at both the darkness and the light. Wow!

And then there was the simplicity of it. When one is in a great place there is little motivation to leave. And so it was that, largely due to the house itself, we enjoy your breakfasts, took our time out in the hammock, discovered flowers, bugs, toads and chickens in the garden. It was one of those "it's so nice here that we might as well stay" kind of places. Of course we did roam a bit - notably into town and over to Raquira (known for its ceramics, hammocks and colorful houses along the main street) - but we happily returned home, to "Rosita's place". 

But what gave it just that little more powerful experience was our chance to talk to Orlando, Liseth (the caretakers) and their daughter, Angie. On our last day there Angie had the day off (it was Colombian independence day) and so she and our girls chatted away as they swayed on the hammock overlooking the mountains, played and laughed, went to visit the place where the chickens lay their eggs. They got along so well!  

By the time we left we knew we would have loved staying a bit longer. But time was short and Bogota was calling. For Scott, Rebecca and Lizzie there was a lot to discover still. For us, there was lots to show them!  

Leiden with Old Friends (& Family).

We embarked on this part of our summer journey knowing that it would be filled with wonderful, warm memories. We reached Amsterdam and took the train to Leiden. What ensued was six days of simply beautiful reunions with family (Tia, Avi and Πmouz had been in holland for a while) friends from our ISKL days. Both young and younger were happy as can be as they rekindled friendships, shared stories, laughed and shared this small chapter of their lives. 

For everyone it was as if no time had passed. We walked the pedestrian streets of Leiden, took boats around town, visited the farmer's market, passed by the church and ate the great food on offer. We witnessed the annual Woodstock on the Water festival where bands of amateur artists roamed the canals and sang to those on the banks of the canals. It was the type of visit that one never wants to end.... everything in order, the weather perfect, the positive vibes of great friendships, everything in one place. When it came to a close we were left with such warmth that it is hard for us not to be completely appreciative of the life we have and of the friends we've made.