Visting relatives in Cali and Pasto

A 12 hour bus ride from Bogota got us to Cali...new modern bus with AC, but it sure was a long day with 2 kids! Spent 3 days in hot, humid Cali at 1,000m and this is the ¨cool¨ season....visiting Maria´s 2 brothers and their families. Then onto Pasto yesterday....a 9 hour bus ride on an old bus without AC. Well, we sure saw alot of stunning scenery that we wouldn´t have if we would have flown! However, we will definately be flying back! I´m off to Ecuador tomorrow for a few days of volcano bagging/hiking. Maria will stay in Pasto with the kids and family.

Wilson the PE teacher and his partner Carmen, also a teacher.

Boy did he get shaved!

Mom too!

My cousin Cindy and I

Even though I´m a big boy now, I still need my milk and my teddy.

Poolside Cali

Hanging out at Rio Pance , with my uncle Wison and my cousin Wilson Andres.

Red ants bite says dad, so I better not stick my finger in the hole.

Hanging it out at the Rio Pance

Love the contrast of the 2 different hair types-styles. Hey I have a bald spot in the middle just like my dad!

I´m still tiny

Practicing for when I visit my twin uncles in Chetwynd and Whitehorse.

Me and my Tia Carmen....she´s my Colombian godmommy too!

Boy does this kid sweat easily...esp in the heat and humidity of Cali.

Me and my tio Hector....he´s my Colombian Godfather.

Me and my tia Diana

I have big eyes, just like my brother.

3 generations.....

Jampum bashing

The fine art of jampum bashing. Well, that's what Ramon calls it anyways. Mushrooms that is. So what is dad teaching him? To go around bashing everything in the forest? Well there are alot around (and this will spread even more spores to make even more jampums!) and you can't eat these ones. I have fond memories of picking mushrooms with grandpa. At least the ones we picked (shaggy manes and button/meadow mushrooms) were edible! Will have to pick a few edibles in his memory one day.

2/3 of the way back down the mtn above Bogota. Mom and Carla in her warm bear suit.

Throwing rock, leaves, fern branches in the creek.

Love that green.

Candle night....start of xmas season. Most people from our apt building sat out side and chatted and ate some traditional Colombian deserts. Ramon was a star, being the only toddler.

Oh Carla :)

Carla sure loves to sleep, while mom carries her through the forest and up the mtn!
As you can see from the pics, Ramon really does care for his baby sis!

Post hike, father and son, siesta

It was a sunny, warm day.

Tio Don Ivan and baby Carlita

Christmas in Colombia

Sure doesn't feel like xmas to me, but there are alot of reminders about it. Plastic trees and lights, but no snow, no cold, and everything is green! Found some snow in a mall....sort of....plush, white carpet and bits of styrofoam......I wonder if Ramon remembers what the real thing is like from his time last year in Salmon Arm and Halifax.

And of course, there is such an amazing variety of flowers all year.....including orchids.

Ended this week's hike in some wonderful hotsprings. Ramon was in the warm, kids pool for 2 hours! He had eaten a ton of fresh strawberries along the way and pooped big time in the pool! Fortunately I had one of those swimming diapers on him and nothing escaped!