Butterflies & leather pants

If you can imagine a relay race where one team member passes the baton to another - that's sort of been our story here with illness.  The last lap was Andy who was out of commission for at least two days with something very much like the flu.  He got better then I started to get something in my lungs, feels a lot like bronchitis (I've got the black lung, Pop).  Lucy is the only one who has escaped illness, let's hope she can be spared.

To keep the kids busy and give Andy a little breathing room, I took the girls along with our friends to the Botanical Gardens.  It was a nice break to get away from all of the congestion and surround ourselves with a little greenery.

Our visit coincided with a butterfly exhibit, much to Lucy's delight.  There was a path of butterflies from the entrance all the way to the butterfly house, it was pretty tough trying to reel her in.

Here is an example butterfly, this one's wings were about 4 inches across.

Lucy's friend Cami who speaks only Spanish and a little French.  Here she was grabbing his hand and saying, "Look Cami!  A sign!"

Josie pondering a bushy palm tree.  Not too much after I took this picture she went straight into it.

After the gardens, we headed to the Leather District, a street where leather shops have clustered.  I was on the hunt for boots and a wallet.  I lucked into a purse, too :)  I also had the belt we bought Andy 4 years ago to get him two more.  

I bought a pair of boots from this nice lady.  Strangely all boots were my size, I would have thought a 39 would be too big for Colombia, but apparently I fit right in.

Store after store of purses, wallets, shoes, leather pants...  I passed on the leather pants.

One of our big accomplishments this week was getting Josie a TB test at the US Embassy doctor, as well as getting her medical exam.  The TB test requirement kicked in because she just turned two.  The medical exam is a regular part of the process, but usually is done after you get the kiddo's passport.  They agreed to give her the exam early, then do the paper work after we get the passport.  Thank you US EMBASSY!  That should save us some running around after we get Sentencia.

This took place over 2 days.  They have to inject her on Tuesday and have her return on Thursday to read the test.  No TB, thankfully.  Also she's looking really healthy!

Thank you to friends for providing Freddy the emerald guy's info, because Annette and our French friends headed there after Josie's Thursday appointment.  There really is no comparison when it comes to quality of the stones.  They were beautiful!  Melanie ended up with a gorgeous necklace and I am having an emerald and diamond anniversary band made to go next to my wedding ring.

When we arrived, all of the jewelry was put away so we waited for the vault to be opened and the suitcases to be unpacked.  Freddy's mother is in the background supervising.  It's hard to see, but she has a bumper sticker on the mirror over her shoulder mocking Hugo Chavez.

Today was again, Cicolvia, so we headed off to Parque 93, a very busy and very upscale park within walking distance (round trip 4.5 miles).  I walked in TENNIS SHOES!

The girls getting ready to take on the park.  Josie hasn't quite gotten the hang of smiling for the camera.

Hug attack, I believe there are prehistoric delphiniums in the background.