Venice...

This picture shows the day we arrived in Venice, it was a beautiful day and the weather perfect. It was during the second week of August and there were lot's of tourists. I thought that in order to go to our hotel when we left the train, we should take a taxi, so when we asked, we were told that taking a taxi was extremely expensive, that we should take the "bus" instead. I didn't realize that the taxi wasn't a regular taxi, but a private boat, and the "bus" it was sort of a ferry.

The trip to the hotel was amazing, it took no more than 15 minutes—on the water to get there, but we had enough time to admire this magical city! Its ancient structures makes one feel like going back to the tenth or twelfth century...walking by its narrow streets, crossing its ancient bridges and looking at such appealing constructions, leaves one with a sense of nostalgia for those times not lived and a strong desire to know more about Venice's origins. This is defenitely my favorite city in the world, I felt part of this culture even though I am from South America.

Me, Plaza de San Marcos...y las palomas!

It costed US $350 (three years ago) to go in the "Gondola" for 15 minutes... I spend that money better on clothing, fine dinners, or gifts for my family! Furthermore, the "Gondoleros" are rude, unfriendly, and the only thing they want, is your money! They even ask you for money if you want a picture near their Gondolas!

I love Venice!!!

Rome

What I liked the most in Rome was the ancient monuments, its busy streets, the beautiful breeze of its summer's afternoon, and the ice cream I enjoyed with my husband while we toured one of the main streets. It was very nice to see how Italians have preserved the ruins of such an ancient culture! We didn't have time to visit the museums and that's something I really regret. But we ate authentic Italian pasta and pizza instead!  I liked the wine too.  I remember that my husband asked me to stay a couple of days more, but I was impatient to go to Venezie. That's where I really wanted to go! I always thought that going to Venezie was kind of an unreachable dream for me. However, now I think is very easy actually. I learned that one can go from Vancouver, to Venezie without any stops.

Aaaah Paris!

Al fin conoci Paris!

This was one of our best trips because we had the time to tour Europe by the Eurorail. For me it was so fun to go from country to country by train. I felt as if I were in my younger years, traveling with my boyfriend around the world with just our backpacks!

During the trip I wrote everything in my traveling journal, so I could remember small details about every country we visited. The Eiffel Tower is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. It is too bad that one can't see how the tower really is in pictures or movies; nothing gets closer to what the tower really is, nothing! It's thousands of lights make the tower seem unbelieveable , something very hard to describe. My husband and I were speechless when we saw it for the first time.

I also loved to visit the Louvre Museum. There are so many things to see, learn and experience there, that it would require a whole year to see everything!  It was so interesting to see the famous paintings, especially the Mona Lisa and her magical smile. What a great moment we spent there!

I loved to see the castles too, but the one I liked the most—even though it made me feel very down, was the Marie Antoinnette castle...it was too depressing, and as I had just finished reading and watching the Marie Antoinnette book and movie, I could feel how hard her last days were in that castle as a prisoner. Below is her jail cell in the castle...

My husband and I on our first day in Paris...

We are going to go back to Paris again soon (right mi amor)? This is a city that is a must to visit more than once since there are so much history and interesting things to do there. Besides that it is really the most romantic city in the world!

I just loved Paris!

Santa Marta, Colombia...

Santa Marta is one of my favorite cities in the world, and it isn't because it is in Colombia and I am Colombian, but because of  its authentic culture and beauty. 

Used to be in so many beaches like in Cuba, Mexico, Dominican Republic, USA, Canada, and some in Europe, I found Santa Marta a very attractive city to visit for everyone: It's an inexpensive city, secure, friendly, and very beautiful!

What I liked the most, is the fact that one doesn't find everything so "Americanizado" or so "Americanized" style there. Everything is so Colombian!

When I was there in 2007, I remember walking by myself by the beach and having that feeling of belonging that I missed so much in Canada. when I was walking I remember thinking, I am in MY country, with MY people, and I have NO "accent" here. I belong here, and I'm part of it. It was a nice feeling, however, I know, if I would go back to live in my country, I would miss Canada so much too. This is my home anyway and this country has given me so much that I will never leave it for sure! Now I feel that my true roots are spread between two wonderful countries.

Above, buying some neckleces from a Colombian. Below, a lady convinced me to have my braids done.

Below my nephew Cristian...

Me, enjoying the beautiful atardecer sunset of Santa Marta...

My Vacations...

I have to remind myself that in order for me to have a great time when I travel, I need first to work hard with Cafe Journal. I feel overwelmed because by the first week of December, I have to have printed in advance four issues! This is not easy because I work with deadlines and that is very stressful. I also have to create several new ads, and that takes a lot of time for me because I'm very picky and I don't like to merely make a plane or boring ad. I like to create ads that are catching for the readers! I also have to make the research online for the facts, jokes, curiosities, and write "Thougths to feed your mind".  Besides this I have to check my papers where I display them—I like to be sure that the other publications don't cover my paper with theirs in my own stand or move the stand where no one can see it. It is a job to do!  I also have to do a lot of paper work, and visit customers if they need me right there. That's why once I take my vacations, I enjoy them as much as I can.

Cali, Colombia in December

At this moment there are 40 days, 19 hours, and 48 minutes remaining for me to arrived in Colombia (December 14th to January 18th). I can't help myself but counting the days to arrive there again. And it is not as my daughter—who lives in Vancouver— thinks, that I don't appreciate Canada, or that I don't care that she and her husband and baby, and my parents and niece, live here. It's just that I like to enjoy Christmas and New Year's eve in my hometown as I used to when I lived there.

I feel very happy every time I know I'm going to spend time with my sister, brother, nephews, other family members and friends during the holidays. December is a very special month in Cali because of La Feria De Cali, (The Cali's Fair) which is a very similar fair to the one in Calgary.  There are so much fun during this month: the city becomes gorgeous with its beautiful Christmas lights; there is live music everywhere, and lots of fun activities such parades, International food, orchestras, etc. Every night in December is a big party!

We do not have a rest! Below, with my friend Mary, my cousin Martha, and my sister Amelia in the back of the car laughing and singing Rancheras Mexicanas.

 In this picture, myself tocando la campana Ringing the bells...a fun entertaining in La Casa de la Cerveza, The Beer House; it is placed in the dancing room and every time one ends a dance, we pass by and rings it. It's very loud!

My husband looking at me "kissing" one of my favorite Latin singers...

My sister, my childhood friend, and myself happy to be together, I hadn't visit Cali for four years!

 

 I'm pretty sure that when my daughter reads this post and sees how happy her "mommy" is when she's in her hometown Cali, she is going to understand better that I'm not "abandoning" her, it's just that I know she is happy with her own family, and now it is my time for me to take advantage of this brief opportunity to enjoy myself with the other part of my family in Cali.     

                                                                               

My Hometown

Every time I go to my hometown, Cali, Colombia, and see "Cristo Rey", the 45 meters monument similar to the one in Rio de Janeiro, I feel like my city is receiving me with open arms. The monument is seen by the whole city since it is placed on the top of one of our huge mountains. At night, the monument is gorgeous because it is covered with thousands of lights, and as one can't see the mountain because of the darkness, the monument looks like if it is hanging from the sky. It's beautiful! A great attraction in Cali. We also have another huge monument, "Las Tres Cruces" (The Three Crosses). It is said that the Three Crosses were built  in 1937, in order to protect the city from the devil, who according to the locals, one day appeared on the mountain and cursed the city. As a way of protection, a priest hired an arquithect and made him to build the Thre Crosses to enclosed the devil on the mountain and protect the city from its course.

Las Tres Cruces from one side of the city. This is the highest mountain in Cali.