Trip to Bogota, Columbia Continued 4-2012

Our first big outing after resting up a couple of days was to the Salt Mines.  This ancient mine had been transformed into a sacred shrine, of sorts - with an actual cathedral inside.

Kerali and Owen as we are waiting to enter the Salt Mine

Inside the Salt mine caverns - Garth, Kerali, Alden, Tamlen & Brian

 

(in back)  Owen and Taren (Front)

We were able to be there for Owen's Penguin birthday.  Isn't this a beautiful cake that Kerali made?

This picture shows how the tall apartment buildings are built right up the mountain side.

The window directly above Owen's head and above the trees is the living room window of the apartment they live in.

We enjoyed spending Easter with the Reynolds family  (Left) Kerali, Owen, Alden, Garth (me) Taren and Tamlen

Kerali took up up to Monserate on the mountain overlooking the city where, as we climbed, we passed beautiful statues depicting the stages of the Cross.  

I was quite amazed at this "candy stripe" church. 

And it carries the same design inside, as well.

As we were traveling back from the Salt Mines, we came upon a holy parade where men dress in purple "Klu Klux Klan " type robes and head dresses carried the "Stages of the Cross" as they conducted a "walking Mass"

Another enjoyable outing was to the Botanical Gardens  Garth, Tamlen, Kerali and me with Taren and Owen in front

Another picture taken in the Botanical Gardens

Garth and Kerali as we wandered around in the old part of the city center

This is a cemetery but the burials are above ground.

Another outing was to the Gold Museum where we saw many beautiful things

Probably one of the things the Gold Museum is best known for.

On Friday  April 14, we were able to go to Taren's school where she was being honored as Student of the Week.  We are enjoying a very good lunch with her

Taren Reynolds and her grandparents in front of her Student of the Month sign

After making a craft with the children, Taren served them each a chocolate chip cookie made by her sister, Tamlen.  Notice that the children are all in the school uniform. 

Some scenes of the apartment that Kerali and Brian and family have in Bogota, Columbia.  This is one part of the living room

and this is the other part of the living room. 

Garth is standing in the entry way of the apartment.  The door to the elevator to the apartment is just out of the picture to the right.  The bedrooms are all down the long hallway next to the elevator.

On Sunday, April 15th, Alden and Tamlen and two friends (one at the drums and one singing, had a "jam" session. They are very good and we enjoyed the music very much.

Owen is playing some songs with his guitar teacher.

Our last big outing was on Tuesday, the 17th, just before we left. Kerali rented a chauffeur and his car to take us to Guatavita and the sacred site for the Muisco people where the legend of "El Dorado" took place.  This is the steep trail to the lake

Garth and Kerali are "resting" and enjoying the beautiful countryside on the way to the lake

Here we are at last at around 10,000 feet elevation.  Originally the lake was much higher but the Spaniards drained it trying to find the much coveted gold that they thought was in it.