Friday, June 26, 2009

Chao Bogota

Well it's time to say goodbye to Bogota, after 2 years in this massive city. While there have been many positives, like the ciclovia, bike paths, the school CGB and the towns and country surrounding the capital, we've had enuf of the high density, concrete jungle living and the ride to work on a packed, snail paced, fume choking hiway. Maria and kids flew to Pasto yesterday....I leave tomorrow morning. Some cycling and climbing over the holiday and then off to a new adventure in Quito (or rather 30-40 minutes outside of the town in Tumbaco) starting August 11.




It's been great to have the Buitrago family nearby and we will surely miss them :(


A single baby jogger, converts easily to handle 2!




Osita....little bear




Carlita bring home the veggies.


Gettin' a wee bit cramped in here!


Nothing beats a good days walk in the country. Ramon managed about 6km! then soaked in the hot springs, fell asleep in the bus and woke up with leg cramps! Nothing a quick massage couldn't fix.






Playing with the ever-popular blocks that tia Karen brought.


His fave stuffed animal...."Piggy"....no raincoat for him....both of 'em will take all the mud they can get!


Local road race....Maria was about 10th....we didn't stick around to find out.

Dad leading the pack....or at least the photographer makes it look that way!

Monday, June 1, 2009

US Embassy 5 mile XC race

Maria showed up with her Canadian running jersey and showed the yanks how it was done. She was second overall (male and female) and almost came in first, but her short, little legs just couldn't hold her in 1st place down the steep hill and was passed by a 17 year old college runner near the finish.

Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for the other Canuck....he got whupped by the US ambassador, who just happens to be 10 years older, by a full 2 minutes!
He joked that Maria must have taken some performance enhancing drugs and would have to undergo a drug test :)

Chatting with one of his numerous bodyguards, I was informed that he loves to do up to 5 hour runs! (ultras) in the hills above Bogota. I'd love to run there myself, but it's generally a dangerous area.....the bodyguards who accompany him must be in great shape!


The US ambassador looking very unnofficial in his running gear.


Yup....this is how he gets to his runs and other less important events :) with motorcycle cops front and back too. We got a ride out here in a bullet proof Jeep....you get a workout just opening and closing the doors on these beasts! You'd think you'd be quite well protected in an accident, but the bullet proof, front windscreen is not exactly saftey glass!

Her prize? A coffe table, photo book of Pasto! a gift from the govenor of Narino (Maria's home province) to the US ambassador.....guess he gets too much of this stuff and just passes it on.


A horsey show after....




And the canine unit....

Helping out in the kitchen....cutting mushrooms with a plastic knife

Tub with a view....don't be walking on the sidewalk below, when he's having a good splash!




I don't think he'll be shy on his 1st day of school next year.





I will kiss you everywhere......goes the title of one his fave books.

Picking and indulging in wild blackberries.


Enough of the bike trailer he says! I want the real thing!


A massage and stretch with dad's physiotherapist




I'm sure gettin' big!