How Cool - Colombia

First Class flights are really very nice. I enjoyed my pod, as did Chris. However, there is nothing to make up for a red eye flight except a good sleep. We checked into the Sheraton in the Toronto airport for 6 hours. It was well worth it. We had enough energy to dance while waiting for our Bogota bound flight which was 1.5 hours late.

Some fun on the flight - a few Canadian Senators were headed to Bogota as well. It being a small world, one of the senators ( Joan Fraser ) is friend of a friend of ours mother. Harder to say than to comprehend. Chris was quite friendly and introduced himself.

We're here, in our hotel room ready for bed. The customs was a breeze. Our driver was waiting with a sign just outside the exit and our driver got us smoothly to our hotel. All good news. Chris admitted to some anxiety after we arrived safely. He really is game - I don't know if I'd go along on some of my hair brained schemes.

Enroute to Colombia

After a few hiccups at home - caused by too much to do and not enough time - we're dong the hurry up and wait dance with our ever irritating partner - Air Canada. Sigh. Our routing is good, but the timing between flights not so much. So far, we've only done the flight from Whitehorse to Vancouver and they already managed to 'mis place' a piece of my luggage. Never fear faithful readers, it was recovered with only a modicum of fuss. The soothing effects of a stiff drink after such an experience aren't to be dismissed.

Chris was, I think, rather pleased to be seated across the isle from our relatively new territorial Premier. After some pleasantries Chris managed to foist a business card off on him. As for myself, I managed to sleep through most of it. I've been thinking about the distinction that some make between a traveller and a tourist. Rather like the distinction between art and craft - many care deeply, others see it as semantics. I think that I am a bit of both. I like a modicum of tourist infrastructure but not too many fellow travellers. I hope that Colombia is our kind of perfect.

Colombia, home of latin dance

Chris and I have been taking dancing classes in preparation for our trip. We've got a video showing how well we're doing. Check us out!

Blame Anthony Bourdain

When people ask; "Why Colombia?" I tell them its because of Anthony Bourdain. He did a "No Reservations" show on Colombia that made me want to go there. His potty mouthed irreverent style really struck a chord with us. After that show I started asking folks if they'd been to Colombia and a surprising number of them had, and (more interesting to me) enjoyed themselves. Maybe it all started with Romancing the Stone...

The last of Christmas

A few final photos of our wonderful pets and tree. The cat, Murphy decided he was interested in eating the christmas lights. The dog, Isla, was subjected to the antlers for our enjoyment, and now yours!

Beautiful Steps

I've always wanted a Persian carpet, and now I have one! Chris spotted it at a store in Vancouver, the I Found Gallery. I was looking for clothes and jewelery. Chris noticed the sign; "40% off all carpets"really liked this one and took a photo of it so we could follow up later. You can find them on etsy.com
I spent an hour or so yesterday whacking the dirt out of the carpet and it is just lovely to have in our house.

Whirl Wind

For many folks the Christmas holiday season is a time of frantic feeling with travel and family obligations. We like holidays at home, so we tend to put our traveling off until January. It's a good time to be away from the long dark of Whitehorse. It does mean that no sooner is the shine off the 12th day of Christmas when I am seeking out summer clothes and suitcases. It really is quite fun. We're off to Colombia this weekend and while I feel fairly prepared, not everything is in the suitcase yet.