Back Again

So I have been gone for a while, allow me to explain. Since Rachel and Addie are back home, I decided to take a 7-year boy old I  barely know, to a tiny 16th Century village I have never heard of, in a country I have never been to, where no one speaks English, on 2 buses I have no idea how to negotiate, for 4 days...isolated and alone. sounds fun, right? That's how I roll. I decide to get out of Bogota and head to Villa De Leyva, a small village in the center of Colombia that was founded in 1544 (I think). The village is largely untouched by the 21st Century (or the 17th century for that matter). Cobblestone streets, the largest village square in the country complete with a well in the center where water has been drawn for centuries, and more burros and dogs you can shake a stick at. I needed a change of scenery. Harry and I headed to the bus station (really just a stop along the highway) not knowing a thing about how the buses work here. we ended up hoping on a bus to the town of Tunja. at least I was hoping this was the case. I did not know how long the ride to Tunja was, nor did I know what it looked like to know when we should get off. Tunja is a larger city about 3 hours North of Bogota, it was founded as the starting point for expeditions looking for El Dorado. Really. From Tunja we wandered aimlessly looking for another ride to the Villa, and found a van that looked promising. again, I had no way to confirm this was the right bus or how long it would take. The fare was 2 chickens but I bartered them down to 1 chicken, a goat and a jar full of teeth. just kidding. it cost $12 USD for both of us. it was a 45 minute ride and we stopped at the station, and yet again, wandered around until we found the main square, Plaza Mayor, and wobbled on the cobblestones until I found a suitable looking room to rent. I miss this feeling of being dropped off in a place I was totally unfamiliar with and walking without any agenda except food and shelter. it reminds me of trekking through Europe, except this time I had a kid in tow, which changes the dynamic dramatically.
Our conversations continue to be strained, my Spanish is improving faster than his English, but I feel compelled to speak English to him so he can learn, but also because he is the ONLY one around me who does speak English. Harry travels reasonably well, and rolls with the punches easily, taking it all in stride. I can only imagine what he is thinking at any given moment. It occurred to me that right now, I am frustrated because I am in an unfamiliar land, with customs, habits, rituals, etc. that are not my own, I dont speak the language (well), and am trying to get to know a new family member. This is all going to be reversed in a few weeks for Harry, as he wil be in a strange land, learning the language, customs, etc. himself. we are living the same story, told at slightly different times, concluding at the same place somewhere in the future. I already have the rough manuscript for a children's book in my notes. There is no internet in Villa De Leyva with the exception of a few random cafes, they dont take credit cards anywhere, and not much to do except hike around. We did take a taxi to a Dinosaur park that was pretty cool. We retuned to Bogota just fine, except the Police stopped the bus and took everyone's i.d. on the trip back, which freaked me out a little.
Both Rachel and I continue to pursue any and all avenues we can to get back home as fast as humanly possible. This process simply takes too long and Harry needs school, a dentist, and structure he is not getting here. if anyone knows the US Ambassador to Colombia, please email me.
I am giving a presentation at a University here on Wednesday night at the request of some very nice people ( Hello Ricardo, Diego and Camilo!!) So far 119 people are signed up to listen.
the first pic below is our room, then some shots of the square, our hike, etc. There are so many dogs running 'wild' in the streets, I have never wanted to be rich so much in my life as I did then, so I could take care of all these sweet dogs! The little one under our table adopted us for a day or so, whenever she saw us across the square, she came and laid at our feet.