Two days in Bogota

We booked a flight two weeks ago so that I could get a Visa that would not restrict our time in Colombia. I was going to need to leave here by Dec 7 with the normal tourist Visa but would have been able to start over on Jan 1 with a new slate. We could have just left for a month to Ecuador or somewhere but these being the final months before turning 59-1/2, I didn't want to take out any more IRA money till next year. So, our adventure started two days ago....
The two tickets RT were less than $95, so a two hour delay to replace a tire on the plane with a big bald spot showing cords was no problem. We tried out Uber in Bogota for the first time and was assured the rate was less than taxis. Rate was good but driver didn't seem to know the city well and we drove around for almost 2 hours to find the hotel.
We only had a short walk in the morning to the Migration building where we were in line before the 7:30 am opening. Scare #1 was they would only let me in alone, ok, don't panic Ray, you can do this. Then once inside it took almost 5 hours but emerged with a Visa for 6 months. The only snag was having to use the last of our cash to pay for this as I lost my ATM card a few days ago and won't get a replacement till next week. We found out that Uber works with my credit card so we got to the next hotel ok down in the historical district.
The rest was awesome. We were only a 15 minute walk along the Avenida de agua, fountains continually along the way, to the base of Monserrate, a church on a hill 600 meters above the city. The views were amazing. On the way back we visited the home of Simon Bolivar, amazing history. In the morning we just walked around and found the Museum of Gold, many beautiful cathedrals, parks and even the Emerald Trade Center. Will need a lot more time for these and many other things on our next visit.

Entrance to Simon Bolivar's house

Simon

Hotel view

Simon's gardens

Near hotel, view of Monserratte

Entrance walk to Simon's house

Our fall leaves, both of them.

Cascading water goes for about 2 miles

Simon's garden

Simon's room with his historic sword

Suit worn by Simon and his lady's dress

On Monserrate

Monserrate

Cathedral on Monserrate

On Cathedral steps

Downtown church, looks shut down but inside is amazing.

Another church

Former government building, now art school

Gloria at the lowest end of the fountain, all uphill to Monserrate

Our hotel is near the center

Back in Pereira

I have obviously taken a few months off from any regular contributions. The summer in Wisconsin was wonderful. So many visits with family and friends, the time did go very quickly. Many concerts, fairs, trivia events and festivals too. Got in some fishing on Lake Michigan and the Mississippi along with some local lakes, very good times. Gloria's English has improved a lot in her time in the US.
Toward the end of August her father took ill so she returned 3 weeks before me. Our tickets were set for Sept 15 originally. It turned out to be a very good decision as her father passed away on the 13th of September which allowed her to spend the final three weeks with him. They have a great custom here where the family hosts friends and family every evening at the survivors house for ten days after the funeral. It is a great idea, offering comfort to the widow for nearly two weeks daily.
After saying my good byes to everyone at home I headed to Chicago on the 14th, sold my car to Carmax near O'Hare and got a ride to the hotel and headed to Colombia early the next morning, without any keys.
So now we have been here together for three weeks already and are getting settled back in. Gloria's son Mauro and family have moved to another place in Pereira so we have her house to ourselves. Been fishing here once already and spent a day at the thermal pools nearby. Just found out about another lake nearby, anxious to try it out. Visits with family and friends also.
Gloria has lived in this house for 28 years after buying it new when her kids were young. After checking on the price of remodeling we decided it would be easier to sell here and buy another place. Part of the reason is parking is a problem here for when we do get a car. So it is for sale and we figured it best to rent for awhile and look around. Just today we found a very nice 3 bed apt near where we rented last year. Room for visitors, hint..hint. It even has a pool! So we have some packing to do.
In a couple of weeks we are headed to Bogotá to see about extending my visa and applying for a retirement visa. This will make things much less complicated for travel plans in the future. I hear the city is huge, approximately 8 million people so we are hoping to get a hotel near the immigration office. Then there are many things to see.
More to follow.... next time.

Back in the unfrozen tundra

Time is flying! Enjoyed the trip up from Florida taking our time and enjoying the sites and friends and family. Gracias to Austin for bringing my car down from WI, it was great to see him first. We saw friends in Cape Coral, checked out the Keys, friends in Orlando, up to Savannah then to New Orleans, Glenn and Carol in Mississippi and Ted and family in Illinois.

 Then we arrived in Wausau for the summer and have been enjoying time with everyone here. Carly has had a couple of track events we enjoyed. Along with seeing many friends and family and trivia, volunteering, a little fishing, buying some warmer clothes and Gloria found a tutor living in Wausau that came from Ecuador who is teaching her English. Hope your all enjoying the summer!

Packing up

Coming to the end of three and a half months here in Colombia. Can truly say this is a great place to be.  Some of the highlights are:
1. Climate. The days average 75 to 80 and the nights drop to 65 to 70. There are many days with rain in the afternoon or evening but it seldom lasts very long. The daylight is a constant near 12 hours all year. Super bonus when I am here in winter and then even better in WI in summer.
2. Natural beauty. The countryside is amazing with hills, mountains, rivers furnishing amazing views around every corner. Lots of green everywhere with colorful flowers and birds.
3. Cost of living. This is the part where living here is very easy. Went out with Gloria's son, spouse and grandson last night at a neat rooftop restaurant downtown and we all ate, drank and enjoyed for $20 including tip. We often go out for lunch for 4 or 5 dollars total. Housing is also very affordable, many new developments selling new 2-3 bed apartments for $30,000. We visited a friends place, newer high rise close to where we are, it had 4+ bedrooms, very high end kitchen and two balconies and was huge. They bought for $130,000. Movies are about $2-3. Have had dental, eye exams, lab work and such here, all very reasonable just paying as I go, no need for insurance here. Was hoping to stretch the budget by being down here for half the year or so and that is working well.
4. Friendliness factor. This might well be the best part. Most everyone you meet is courteous, friendly and willing to help with anything you need. A lot of positive energy here, It seems the priority is on enjoying time and each other, working as needed for paying the bills, but focusing on life outside of work.
5. Good overall health. Good natural foods, lots of walking and fresh air. I am happy so say that for the first time in a very long time I am just under 200 pounds. I can truthfully say that retirement plays the biggest factor in this having the time for walks and such. Having peaked at just over 250 a couple years ago this sure does feel good. I am really looking forward to some bicycle time again in WI.
So next week we head back to visit family and friends in the good old USA. I am very ready as it has been about seven months away. Gloria has been studying English hard and is very excited to see more of the US than just Florida. We have a place lined up in Wausau for the summer and will forward the new US phone number next week after we can get new sim cards. Hoping to see many of you soon.