Halloween party at Angeles de Medellin!

I love October and I love Halloween.  Halloween is a pretty big deal here and we were fortunate enough to volunteer at Angeles de Medellin at a party to celebrate the occassion.  We met some really cool volunteers that were from all over the world (Canada, Australia, England, and of course Colombia).  1,000 kids showed up to gather a goody bag filled with toothbrushes, stickers, treats, kites, and fruit. 
We are becoming pretty fond of this place and the little faces we see when we arrive.

One of the volunteers was dressed as Spiderman and look what he found! His mini me walking around (Emerick).  

Just in case these police officers needed any help...

Note to self: wear sunscreen when sitting in sun for 3+ hours making bracelets. These kids are so sweet and patient while waiting.   

                   
                 Sophia getting her ghoully volunteer face on

       This fidgety 6 year old was quite a sport on this long day.  

Angels of Medellin

Last week we journeyed on a 90 minute ride via metro, cable car, and bus (craziest bus ride I've ever been on) to a shanty town high in the mountains called Regalo De Dios. It is home to many poor families who are displaced as a result of the years of long conflict between the government and rebel groups.  It is also home to the community center Angeles de Medellin (Angels of Medellin).  It's a place where children can come to play games and learn English.  Mark Kaseman started the organization which runs through donations, volunteers, and his never ending passion and hard work everyday.  We are so happy to find a place our entire family can volunteer.  More than any exotic traveling or new language I hope our kids remember and learn from these experiences the most. 

 
Thanks to my friend Heather who introduced me to the Loopdeedoo! ( a wonderful bracelet maker from amazon). We brought it with us and it was a hit! We probably made 50 bracelets.

For more information on Angeles de Medellin watch here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=366bf9IlBz4

Guatape!

The girls are on a school break this week so we decided to go to the country side.  This gem of a place is called Guatape. 

Emerick was so cute with his binoculars looking at everything.  We took a boat tour of the lake surrounding the town.

This big rock pictured below is the second biggest one piece rock in the world...

And you can CLIMB it! I stayed back with Emerick and the rest took the steps all the way to the top!

Beautiful view at the top (Sophia feeling quite pleased with herself)

The Finca

Definition of Finca: fin·ca  (fngk, fngkä) n. A rural property, especially a large farm or ranch, in Spanish America.

My definition:

A beautiful property in the mountains where nice Colombian friends feed you delicious food and let you play with their animals all day.

 

 

This was a perfect fix for those missing egg gathering and rabbit holding at home in TX

Did I mention food? Really. good. food.

 

  The finca-not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Medellin.