Christmas 2009-2010

Christmas starts with decorating the house and the city. I have a new small tree out of reach of the cats. Before Christmas I go to the craft fair and often we go to a novena at the Abisambra's house. I make sure we have Ajiaco.

Finally we have Christmas eve at the Suarez's.

Sachica and Chiquinquira

Located in a fertile valley, Chiquinquira has a solid economic base, but it is famous for the miraculous healings that have taken place. Pilgims come to make votive offerings in thanks.

There are side industries of instument and tagua (vegetable ivory) crafts.

The area around Villa de Leyva is arid and there is clay available for brick and tile making, more or less industrialized. The town itself is backward.

Villa de Leyva

Our first trip as a couple after Jaime's surgery included a visit to Villa de Leyva, a well-preserved colonial town in a mild climate.

The streets are paved with stone. And sometimes a beer tastes good.

T
Both residential and religious buildings are maintained and kept up to code. This is the window from the dining room of the hosteria.

Big trucks and buses don't fit.

There are fossils in the area.

The main plaza is huge, but the Convent of the Carmelitas Descalzas, where there are nuns who never leave, has a mass that is sublime. The churches are ornate. The material in construction is adobe.

Iza and Sogamoso

Our next stops were Sogamoso and Iza. We left Camilo in Mariaelena's nursery/florists and visited Jaime's cousins and last Aunt, Hodet, before settling in a resort near a hotsprings. The pig is probably going to end up in sausages.

Tunja

After returning to Colombia, Jaime and I took a trip to Boyaca. The first day was in Tunja. This is the plaza de Bolivar. Every colonial plaza has a cathedral. They are very ornate. Grand nephew Camilo was there to enjoy the scene. The typical Tunjanos, in overcoats and carrying umbrellas, were checking out the announcements for a funeral in the cathedral.

Scandinavia fest

Traditional crafts were for sale.

Port Townsend hosted a fair by the Daughters of Norway. Mother had donated an authentic costume, which was put on display.

Triple birthday

I turned 60 and Karen 63 and Daddy 88 in the same week, and Karen was good enough to come up and share the celebration and the cooking.

Close ups of fall color

The combinations are infinite.

Marrowstone visit Garden club

The Garden club celebrated the season.

One of my dreams after living in the tropics for over 40 years was to experience fall color and Marrowstone allowed me to do that. This is a view from the Garden club.