A Little Family Time

It's been a while since I've blogged about our family happenings. Believe me, it's been quite busy, and I promise to fill you in.

Over Christmas, the office was closed, and so it was quite quiet around here. It was nice for a while, we got some work done that we had hoped to, but we also wanted to take the opportunity to have a little family holiday. We realize that living where you work involves some intentionality in getting away.

Our first plan was to go to Samaipata, which is 2 and some hours from here, but because of all the rains and the roads being closed due to landslides, we decided not to go. We were a bit disappointed, because we were hoping for a family trip, until Carl suggested that getting away doesn't have to mean going far away.

We found a lovely hotel that is 10 min. from our house, but gave us our family get away for 2 nights. The room was air conditioned (which was such a treat, but I found it a bit too chilly...!) there was cable t.v. and a pool. So really, it was already a holiday without even stepping off the property.

The first day we swam in the pool and watched t.v. until our eyes hurt. The next day, we took a taxi to Cotoca, visited the famous church and enjoyed some zonzo, which is fried yuca and cheese on a stick. The "cafeteria" where we ate was definitely a top ten on the health inspectors shutdown list, but we figured with the zonzo being barbequed we were safe? Maybe? Yes, we were good, no diarrehea that day!

We spent time in the plaza, bought jalea at the market and walked around before heading back to the city once it started to rain. We splurged and took the kids to Burger King for supper, where they each got a toy and played in the play place. That was probably a highlight of the day for them.

Once back at the hotel, a bit soggy from the rain, we had hot showers from the tap and not even with an electric coil!! Asha decided to have a shower in the "little shower" as Kezia called it. We adults would call it a bidet, and were a bit grossed out but managed a good gaffaw over it all.

The next morning, we got up, had some fruit for breakfast and packed up. It was an enjoyable 2 nights away. We spent lots of time just us as a family and that was the main point, no matter how far or short of a distance we traveled.

p.s. I know the pictures are kind of small, so just click on the collage to see it in full view.