Colombia: Day 4

This was a VERY mellow day.  Esteban and I went to a near by park to work out, CrossFit style.  The park was pretty awesome.  The park had a "work out" area, equipped with a bunch of work out park things... Im sure that paints a great and accurate picture, not!

Anyway, the work out was put together by my "bon bon" of a brother, Esteban.  We did 25 Box Jumps, 20 push ups, 25 air squats and 25 pull ups... repeated five times.  (Esteban did double of everything).  The first few rounds, no big deal.  The last two rounds, KILLED ME!  It was fun and I loved working out with Esteban.  He is pretty cool brother and he gave me some great tips and was encouraging :)

After that crazy start to the morning, Tomi, Abuela and I went to get mani/pedis.  SO FUN! I gave the sweet nail technician a real run for her money. I'm sure her arms were sore after working on my feet.  I'll blame the dry Utah summer on that one :) Tia Maggie stayed home (all) day finishing the dress, bless her magic hands!

Later that night Marcos and Dylan arrived and Chuma serenaded us again, we could never get tired of that.  It was fun to all be together and chit chat and just be together. 

 

Dylan had a rough start in Colombia.  He was tired and I am sure a little nervous.  This was the beginning of a very long trip for Dylan and Marcos, they were going to Argentina right after.  But, playing some games on the iphone made things feel a little better. :) 

 

 

Our night ended VERY VERY late.  The boys went to bed at midnight-ish.  Tia Maggie, Abuela, Tomi and I went to bed after 3am!  La tia was making the finishing touches on the dress and I was putting together the head piece.  We also had to pack our bags so we could leave early in the morning to the hotel where the event was taking place....

Lets just say, we have all been blessed with some good genes, because we felt like we had been run over by a train, yet we looked a lot better than that ;)  Always a good time when you are having fun! 

Colombia: Day 3 (OVERLOAD OF PICS)

Today we did A LOT of walking and eating :)

We walked "la Peatonal". It's a street which cars can no longer drive on.  Its SUPER busy and loads of people walk the street and browse the shops and vendors.  I don't remember how long it was, but we walked for at least 5 hours.  I was a GREAT time! 

Tia Maggie, Me, Tomi, Abuela and in the back Chuma and Esteban.  I loved this day...

 

In Colombia they call pharmacies, drug stores, but it sounds way better in spanish, particularly since we were in Colombia where they are known for their drugs.  Esteban HAD to get a picture in front of this one :) "Drogas Colombia Farma" 

 

We had some 'aguas aromaticas' in el Cafe San Moritz.  Its a very old coffee shop of sorts.  Lots of telenovelas are filmed there and we weren't aloud to take pics inside.  So, here are Esteban and I right our side of it. :) I love 'agua aromatica' so good!!!!

 

should have bought the hat, but I didn't.

 

The very center of the city.  We saw and went into La Catedral and took pics of the Goverment buildings.  

There was a lot of hussel and bussel going on outside this church.  But I loved going inside and sensing the calm in this church.  it was super quiet and people where super reverent.  I also really love looking at old churches... no matter the denomination.

You can see Mon Serrate from this picturesque street.  

I just loved the beauty of Colombia! Seriously, stunning!!! 

El Museo de Botero, a famous Colombian Figurative.

Good Times.... 

After our walk we had a traditional Colombian lunch.  These were super yummy AND super cheap! 

It cost as much as a happy meal and it was MUCH bigger and healthier than the previously mentioned "food".  It was a tiny 'hole in the wall' restaurant.  We took half of an entire room :)

 

Churrazco, rice, fried plantanes (YUM) and a pasta salad.  

This meal also included a plate of fresh fruit and dessert. 

 

and since that wasn't enough food... we got DELICIOUS ice cream at Crepes and Waffles

That place was seriously, so GOOD! 

You can see Mon Serrate from here as well.  I loved it!  

That same night Tomi and Chuma's close family and friends all met up at Andres Carne de Rez, La Plaza to dine and chit chat.  This was SUCH a fun night.  Tomi and Chuma's family are the kindest of people, no wonder Tomi loves it there.

When Tomi first moved to Colombia, Los Moreno, took her in to their family as if she was family.  It was my first time meeting them.  It was SO nice to finally put a face to their names and to feel that same love they expressed to Tomi.  I cried several times this night.

Lisandro Moreno, Sergio Moreno, Bruno y Mauro

Sergio, Tia Maggie, Margarita Moreno, Tomi y Jose Moreno

Abuela, Nana (sweetest girl EVER), Hernan, Chuma, Mincho and Leidy

some of Chuma's cousins.  Love them! 

Mauro, Me, Jose and Sergio

As the night went on, I really wanted to chit chat with some of Tomi's old friends.  Friends who were her guardian angels until she found her one and only :) I had heard and seen lots of pics of these great guys.  So we started chit chatting and let me just say, these guys cracked me up like I haven't laughed in FOREVER!  Wish we could have hung out more... 

Tomi's Colombian parents (Lisandro and Margarita) and Abuela 

"Family" Pic <3 

The above picture is a long story... one that will have to wait for a long time :)

Lets just say, I LOVE these people!!!! 

This day was just the best! So much love to give and receive.  I couldn't be more happy for Tomi and Chuma and the love they have.  They are well cared for in Colombia!

Colombia: Day 2

Today we woke early and had some breakfast at a little tiny "Fruteria" around the corner from Tomi and Chuma's house.  It was SO yummy!  Oh how I have missed latin food...

We were all excited to be together.  Marcos and Dylan were still not there, but we were ready for today's activities.... hot springs and food :)

Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Fresh Squeezed OJ and a Cheese Arepa... SO GOOD!

Everything in Colombia is little.  The cars are all small and the tires tiny.  Tomi and Chuma don't need a big car, unless Tomi's family comes to visit.  It was quite the sight to see us all piles in that car.  Tomi and I took turns holding our mom and tia on our laps for the 1.5hr ride to Los Volcanes...

The whole bunch of us.  This might be my favorite pic of the entire trip.  REALLY good times!

Colombia is more beaitful than I had pictured.  It is so great and lush.  The people were beyond kind and hospitable.  Absolutely beautiful country!

The girls... 

Esteban looked like a tourist, more so than I did.  Tomi said it was because he wore tennis shoes... jajaja.  I am sure that the fact that he was one of the tallest persons around had nothing to do with it. ;)

We finally arrived at Los Volcanes.  Its a beautiful "resort" where they have three natural hot spring pools and a huge natural steam room.  The water is filled with natural minerals and nutrients for your body.

When we got there we had to walk down about 2.5 blocks down into the 'resort'.  It was a really nice walk down.  Plus we were eager to have some relaxation.

 As soon as we walked into the resort, we saw this TINY tennis court.  Esteban being the tennis fan that he is, insisted on a picture :)

These pool are not warm, they are HOT! They are awesome!

We were surrounded by lush green foliage and the air temp was just right, like a crisp fall morning, all day :) perfection!

This picture was taken from a little waterfall up from the resort.  It is a small 'resort'.  But it left us felling fully relaxed and hungry....

After Los Volcanes, we went to a little city calle Sopo.  There we stopped in a store called Alpina.  They make all sorts of dairy products and some pretty delicious pastries and treats... Tia Maggie had her cart FULL!

This is maybe 1/3 of the goodies we bought and ate there.  Seriously, so delish!

We ate our goodies outside surrounded by more beautiful scenery.  Seriously, I was in awe of the beauty in this country! We had some mate while with our goodies.

Our day ended there.  We were successfully stuffed and relaxed!

On a side note: They have milk that comes in bags there.  Its called "leche larga vida" You can leave the unopened bag in your cupboard and its good until 12/23/12!  CRAZINESS!  I had to take a pic :)