Jan 31

I'm here! What a ride! We landed twice @ JFK. I looked at the guy sitting next to me and said..."weren't we on ground like 3 seconds ago?" His deer in the headlights stare answered my question. Pilot said "Folks, we were cleared to land and then I saw a plane that wasn't really off our runway. So... as you all saw and felt...I got out of his way. We'll try again in a few mins." WTF!!!

As I entered the JFK terminal, my name was shouted over the PA system. I never sprinted like that before in my life! I still taste blood in my lungs. Gross. Sitting in my seat the flight attendant announced my flight going to Orlando. WHAT??? My ticket had no indication there would be a pit stop in Orlando. Whatever... they wanted me on the flight and I was there. At least I got real food in Orlando. (Well, is McDonalds real?) Off to BOG....

On the flight I read the best parenting book I'll ever need. "Wisdom of Our Fathers. Lessons and letters from Daughters and Sons" by Tim Russert. Grab one from used books @ Amazon.com...totally worth the read, the tears, the laughs, the feeling of doing what is right even when nobody in the world cares. I loved it!

Arrived in Bogota to city lights, mountains and a nice breeze. I was one of the first through immigration, to get my luggage (how it got to Bogota is beyond my comprehension) and one the the first to go through customs. I saw a sea of people, none I knew, none had my namecard. It's not like Madrid where you can hop in a taxi and go. So... I waited. I called a friend in Bogota, but my phone didn't work. I said a few choice words to myself and then the driver showed my with my name card. Off we went.

Bogota is under a lot of construction. They are making a high speed bus line, improving bike paths, and sidewalks. There's no metro system here. I knew that, but still surprises me. The vast amount of people here would benefit, for sure!

This apartment/hotel is good enough. From the outside it looks modern. From the inside it smells like a bad super 8. It's clean and big, though. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, livingroom...oh flatscreen TV. WOW! Can't wait to watch a soccer game on this!

OK... taking a shower and off to bed! As always, thanks for reading!

Jan 30, 2010

Jan. 30th, 2010...

Take off: MINUS 16 HOURS!!!!!

COLOMBIA!

The next portion of the adventure! I'm ready. Almost! My luggage is too heavy. I can't part with anything. o-well. I'll deal with it at the airport.

Looking forward to the Colombian process...here's the deal, as I know it.

Day 1: "Handing over" Ceremony. This will take place at FANA, I think. Super cool. We get dressed up, take pics, sign some papers.

Days 2-8: "Bonding". We chillax in the hotel. Play dominos, uno, watch TV, sleep in late, go to bed late. Tour things. Buy things. Want things. Need things. I can only imagine.

Day 8 or 9: "Bienestar interview". Colombian officials ask the who, what, when, where, why questions to Andrés and to me, myself, I...(English teachers help!)

Days 9-16: "Waiting". I was advised that if I can afford it "go on vacation". Santa Marta, Cartegena, etc.. are great places. We'll see. I know it's a once in a lifetime trip. I'll do what I can. Having a "papichulo" paycheck would help. Note to self...Find husband. (JUST JOKING!!! Really.)

Days 17-34: Waiting. Waiting. Court Date. Waiting. Waiting. Embassy Date. Waiting. Waiting. Doctor Date. Waiting. Waiting. Passport/Visa stuff. Waiting. Waiting. Exit Date. Waiting Waiting.

Days: 34-???. "Bitch on". This is where I will "lose it". I will call everyone and anyone on 5 mins intervals to get home. (Including the lawyers, The American Embassy, President of Colombia, etc.) :-)

So... I'm looking forward to keeping you all updated. Thanks for reading!