It's beginning to look at a lot like Christmas.. :)

So with the holidays approaching and school ending for the term it only seems fitting that we are given a long holiday weekend (for some random Argentine only holiday) and we go away!!  We are almost done touring Argentina with only one major place left (which we will do in February).. We decided to go outside the country this time and go to Quito, Ecuador.. (and the surrounding towns.. )..

 

Having never been to Ecuador and only going on what we had heard I expected a quiet trip.. it was anything but that.. it was fun, lively, interesting and wonderful!!  We went to 3 of 28 or so cathedrals, El Panecillo, Quito Telerifico, Zip Lining, Middle of the Earth, bird watching, butterfly catching, shopping in the market...etc..etc...  I am fully ready to go back and explore some more.. We had great guides, great food and great adventures!!

 

with pictures of course



 

So before we get to Ecuador we had a BUSY week at school.. Cora was J.K. Rowling in the Living Museum at school.  She was impressive and did a great job telling everyone who came to her about J.K  :)  She is a true Potter Fan!!!

Same day.. later.. My girl Nola performed in her first choir.  She and her classmates did just wonderful!!  Was impressed at the songs they were able to learn in just a few months. 
 

The school also had a little thing called International Day on campus.. after a week of rain the sun shined down and the day was pure perfection!!  What a great day.. learning about different countries, traditions and of course the food!!!

I also just did some mundane stuff before we left.. like wait in the rain on the corner for our empanadas to be ready to take home.. some days are just like that.. nothing fancy, nothing special.. just days.. I don't mind them



So finally after a 6 hour overnight flight, some breakfast and a quick trip to the hotel we were off to explore Quito!!  We went on the Telerifico which is like 4,000 meters up there.. super high.. and the ride is over 15 minutes long... did I ever mention I hate heights!!  LOL

the views were worth it though.. Quito is a small city of just over 2.5 million and has a small feel but is vast in area!!!  it is very spread out.

just one of the churches we were in.. each more ornate than the next.. tons of gold and not a spot left undecorated on the walls or ceiling.  Amazing..

seriously.. not one empty spot.. simply breathtaking.. you could walk and find something new for hours.

so when your soup bowl comes served on a bed of fire.. you totally need a picture..

though my bowl didn't come on fire, it was just as good.. Locro Papas (potato soup with cheese, avocado and toasted corn).. AMAZINGLY good. 

trying a few local desserts.. chocolate covered strawberries (heavenly) and espumilla (not as heavenly)... but we can say we tried it.. LOL
http://laylita.com/recipes/2012/09/19/espumillas-or-guava-meringue-cream/

street empanadas and canelazo (a hot citrus and alcoholic drink).. one was really good.. one no so much.. you decide:)

 

beautiful view from the outside of our hotel window

so we went to Quito during what is called "Quito Days".. a big festival.. think July 4th for the USA.. it was great!!!  we stayed in the historic old town and apparently on the busiest road in the city.. LOL.. they partied and paraded until 3 or 4 am every night we were there.. tons of lovely energy.. thankful for good sound proof windows though!! 

So about 1.5 hours outside of Quito in Otovalo we went to the a lovely bird park run by 2 Belgians who rescue and release (if possible) local birds.. they ones that can't be released are trained and they perform a lovely show during the week.. watching the birds fly and return was amazing..

 

amazing views as the birds flew

besides eagles and condors... they also rescue sweet owls..

 

a village of 150 persons or so in the crater of a volcano.. only 2 such villages exist!! 



butterflies like this sweet girl

this sweet girl too

Zip Lining thru the jungles of Ecuador.. a think it was a big hit!!

sweet and sweaty girls..

Nola... always fearless..

Latitude 00.00.00  middle of the earth.. trying to balance egg.

when asked to dance at the equator you do:) 

Latitude 00.00.00 its a required goofy picture moment.

one last food picture.. a giant cheese empanada with sugar on top.. super popular.. and sorta super tasty

Colombia, Aruba and more...

So it has been two months since I last blogged  (sorry about that.. all I will say on that subject is that sadness is real and is fkng hard.. remember to hug others often.. )  We have definitely settled back into the routine of school/work/swimming, etc.. It has been good for all of us to be back to routine!  Both girls are doing wonderful in school with report cards coming home with all A's and B's.. and the girls went away to Mar Del Plata in September for a swim meet and both did FABULOUS!!  Scott and I took the opportunity to enjoy the silence and the city of Buenos Aires while they were gone.. Things have been going nicely:)  I can't complain..

 

This year at the school they gave us spring break!!  which was nice... we took the opportunity to explore new territory to us!!.. we went to Bogota, Colombia (which Scott had been to but the girls and I have never been to) and Aruba.. (because I wanted a beach and a place where I could just order a meal in English.. probably time to find my Spanish tutors info)..

 

so with that said and in typical form.. our trip in pictures!!

 

We arrived and did what we normally do, we looked for local food..

 

Colombia beans.. like nothing else.. slap your mom across the face good!!

Sancocho.. a typical Colombian soup.. amazing.. so thankful we tried local dishes.. the flavors are incredible..

so on our first full day we did a tour of the city.. we did the Fruit/Veggie/Animal/Flower Market.., the Museum of Gold, Museo of Botero, etc, etc.. so much to see in the city.. it was great.. Bogota has a certain vibe not found in BA.  I can't quite describe it.. the people are warmer.. the city starts early, ends early (instead of starting late and ending way late), there is more color, more art, more noice.. it is just different.. and lovely..

so it seems fitting I start this section with this photo.  We tried a local drink Super Chicha.. I like local foods.. all is can say about this one, is it was not my speed.. LOL

The varieties of all the fruits and veggies were amazing!!  certainly something I miss daily
 

Beautiful flowers!!

 

 

Chickens.. sold three ways.. for laying eggs, for reproduction.. or for dinner.. fresh takes on a whole new meaning.. the man in the black shirt with the no. 9 is in charge of making sure the chickens don't have eggs in them.. Worst.Job.Ever..

awesome variety and colors!!!  Soursop is definitely still my favorite fruit

Graffiti is very popular in Colombia and this isn't the nicest I saw, but it is very cool.. I am glad that I am learning to appreciate the art that is around me..

cause she is cute!!..

amazing street art!!

Botero Museum... his artwork is just lovely..

because after a full day of touring the barista knew I needed love in a cup!!

at the top of Monseratte

the walk up was amazing and totally worth it!!!!!

Every time we travel and I download new photos.. Nola looks more and more like a teen than the 11 3/4th that she is..

night time comes to Bogota

The hats of Colombia!!  each from a different region.. amazing..

The Museo de Oro was amazing.. so much history to be seen about the indigenous people of Colombia and their rituals.  This was the first gold piece found and donated to the museum which houses over 2,000 gold pieces from different periods in Colombian history.. quite lovely and wonderful.

traditional gold wear that heads of tribes would wear..

So after a day or two in Colombia we jetted off to Aruba for some much needed sun and sand:)

nothing like the sea and sand to make this smile come out big!!!

yup.. we did it. Pizza Hut in Aruba.. I wasn't so proud of that moment as we always try to do local when we travel, but living in Argentina away from anything remotely 'like home' (yes we do have  KFC.. buuuuttt) a Pizza Hut is a treat.. and this kid needed it..

Baby Beach Aruba...

The view from our beach chairs.  It was amazing.. the water is the clearest water I think I have ever seen.. just a great relaxing time..

Snorkling with Scuba Bob in Aruba.. quite the adventure..

Prettiest sunsets!!

yes.. she ate it all!!  it is called the Pisca Cora.. very yummy fish

So we went back to Colombia after Aruba for 2 more day of exploring.. We decided to take a Emerald Mining tour in Chivor and I can say now.. it was awesome.. at the time a 10 hour tour taking 19 hours  left me sort of unhappy to have done it, but looking back at it, I am thankful for the experience.. it was amazing.. no where else can you find people as eager and warm to show you their town.. the pride they have in the mines and what they do was overwhelming..

 

 

it does not hurt that the views on the 5 hour drive to the town of Chivor were spectacular!!! 

Hugo.. head of the tourism council in Chivor and responsible for allowing the mines to be open to tourists.. his love and pride for his town and job is overwhelming..

showing the girls how to polish the emeralds!! 

the views... stunning

a tour thru the granadilla plantation.. some of the oddest and tastiest fruits I have ever eaten!!!

more views...

Cora enjoyed the tour a lot!!!  I think she just really liked the boots:)

a view of the mines as we drove DOWN into them.. it is a long drive down!!

In the mines.. the found Emeralds!!!  I will be honest.. 20 steps into that mine and I was out of there.. the thought of not having an exit and only a tiny light.. I was OUT.. but super proud of my three for going on and taking the challenge!!

it's a family affair to make sure mommy gets an emerald

the reward for a LONG day of mining and a walk down into the sugar cane farm was a delicious "typical miners" lunch.. cooked in leaves and steamed in the ground.. rice, potatoes, meat, beans, a hard boiled egg and cheese"  the most amazing meal.. out in the middle of now where surrounded by people who love the land, the country and the work they do..

our last day in Colombia was to be a book making tour.. we almost cancelled to go shopping instead (and after 19 hours we were sort of done with tours) but we didn't and I am glad.. what a great project.. a publishing company that publishes books with all recycled materials.. they go into communities needing help, teach them how to publish a book start to finish and then sell the books and the profits go back into the community in need.. it is amazing..   http://5bogota.com/item/amapola-cartonera
 

I definitely finding myself thinking Colombia needs a second look....

next trip Ecuador.. stay tuned:)