Friday, Saturday and Sunday

We've had a lazy past few days in Cali. It's rained quite a bit, so we haven't gotten to get out as much. This is Cali's rainy season. Since we've been here, it has rained so much that several of the main streets have been flooded and closed. There are 3 main ways to get from the northern part of the city to the southern part. Maria Elena has had to be crafty to get to us since she lives in the northern part of Cali. ;) During rain breaks, we've ventured out for walks on the nearby trail. Friday, we saw what we think was a nutria - it looked like a giant squirrel with no tail just sitting up on the ledge on its back legs. Then it scurried off when we got too close. The birds here are beautiful colors. The flowers are too. Michael likes to watch the flocks of pigeons on the ground while Ford "chases" them with the stroller. ;) Even the pigeons are different colors - they are not just gray; some are spotted-white or mostly white with other splotchy colors. We've seen several people walking dogs, and we've seen a few stray cats - one just strolling through the shopping center. ;)

Saturday was game day, so of course we got back in our purple and gold.

And here's Ford and Michael watching the game before we put him to bed.

Here's Michael enjoying himself at lunch on Friday in a high chair at our favorite eating place, Ventolini.

Today, Sunday, November 13th, Ford decided it was time to pull out the running shoes, so while Michael had his morning nap, Ford went for a morning run. I couldn't let him show me up, so after lunch while Ford pushed Michael in the stroller, I hit the trails. ;) When I got back to Ford and Michael, there was bamboo stalks and grass all over Michael and under his neck, so in Ford's words, the boys must have been busy "being boys" while I was away. ;)

Running here is like running in a rainforest. Sorry, lungs. I'm sure it also doesn't help that we are right along the beginning of the Andes Mountains. Cali is over 3,000 feet above sea level. So, it's definitely a different running experience!

Tomorrow, Monday the 14th, is a holiday here so we'll have another lazy day, but we plan to go to the Cali Zoo on Tuesday and maybe this nearby children's park on Wednesday. The Cali Zoo is the third best in South America (I swear I read that somewhere.) so it should be really neat. Until next time, good night!