closer to home...

Bogota. We left yesterday afternoon from the hotel about 30 minutes later than we wanted to, but it didn't really matter as the plane was delayed 45 minutes, so we got to the airport in plenty of time. Yovany and Emmanuelle stuck around for a little while, keeping us company until our plane arrived. As soon as the plane is ready, it is a mad house rush to the door for anyone flying. It is crazy. We saw our Belgian couple friends there (who were originally supposed to fly at 10 AM, but had it changed to 2) and briefly said goodbye before we were sucked into the crowd of people with tickets. The plane then took off late, as we sat on the runway for about 30 minutes.

The kids were good during this time, Andres a little squirrely, but otherwise they were all good. Then the plane took off. Andres and Shirley did well. Shirley was very excited and smiling the whole time. Andres barely moved a muscle for the 55 minute flight...but there is more to that story. Juancho, however, howled and screamed for the whole flight. I felt so bad for him, and bad for Janine who tried to console him the whole time to no avail. To top it off (for her) she had not taken her Dramamine nor had been able to go to the bathroom before the flight, so she was not feeling so good. Nothing worked for Juan, not candy, not water, nothing. He just screamed the whole time. We will try to figure out what to do for the flight home: any suggestions?
So, Andres, who didn't move, probably didn't do so because he could have filled Lake Michigan with as much as he peed. We didn't notice until we picked him up after we landed, but his seat was wet and he was not very pleased. I couldn't believe how much he peed, and could understand why he really wouldn't want to move around too much. It was not the greatest first flying experience for Juan or Andres, but Shirley had fun:)

So we are now at the B&B, with a few other couples who all speak Spanish and barely any English. Our room is comfortable and nice, and they have a real shower, which is always good, so it is a good change from Club Campestre. Everyone is friendly enough here, and the kids have enjoyed the backyard. Today we are going to go to the doctor for check-ups for the kids. We are hoping that it doesn't take too long, but we have not heard great stories regarding the speed of the doctor. We are holding out hope that things will move along quickly while we are here and that we might be able to leave early. It is difficult to say at this time, though, but we will keep you posted. We also need to get out and buy some laundry soap and some pull-ups for the boys, so hopefully we get a chance to do so this morning. I am not sure what the schedule is like here yet, but we should be receiving a phone call from Lucia, our contact in Bogota, this morning some time. I am now sitting in the front room and have only seen one person this morning, so it is quiet. I am just hoping for good coffee soon.

It is funny, Janine and I both commented on how it was more difficult to leave B-manga than we thought it might be. It was touching to say goodbye to the couples that we have interacted with most, and it tugged at the heart strings to leave. Gladys, the waitress, I think had a difficult time with us leaving. She gave notes to us and to Shirley and just stood by us smiling for quite some time. It was a good stay, in spite of all my petty complaints, made better by those people who made it difficult to say goodbye.

Anyhow, we are getting closer to coming home, something for which we are very excited and anxious. It was difficult to know that this traveling this time was only to Bogota, as I really felt the desire to just go home. I still do. I enjoy traveling, I enjoy other places, but at this point I just want to begin normal life with our children. I think that would be good for them, too. Andres had a difficult time last night, which I attribute to the change of scenery and the change of schedule. So it would be best if we could get home and begin a normal schedule.

Well, I hear shuffling in the kitchen. I should begin to wake up Janine and maybe wash my face. I just thought I would take the early morning opportunity to write. I hope that you are all doing well.

The song for the day is "Wishful Thinking" by Wilco...