Forget Medellin

You know me ... as long as I can take a few good photos, I'm pretty happy - but we'll talk about the photography later. Mom always said if you couldn't say something nice, you shouldn't say anything at all. So here goes. Medellin has some good public transportation. The Metro system is efficient and comfortable. The people in the city are very friendly and helpful. Prices are very low. The fresh fruit is incredible. As far as I know, there are no more impressive Christmas lights anywhere in the world. And of course Medellin is the home of one of my favorite artists - I got to see all of those famous Botero statues in the plaza, as well as many more in the museum. I will have a whole greater appreciation of my Botero print which hangs in my bathroom now. My main reasons for coming to Medellin were to see the incredible Christmas light shows along the river, in the parks and throughout the city and also to see the Boteros. We did that. Both were great. My suggestion if you want to come to Medellin - come during December to see the lights, go to Plaza Botero and the museum. And bring your own food. Allow yourself two days.

The Lighting of the Tree - Magdalena del Mar

There was a great children's choir, a speech by the wife of the mayor, who says we in Magdalena are all one big family, and of course, fabulous fireworks! The park was filled with adorable little kids and lots of big people, too. A fabulous evening!

Family for Christmas Week

The most exciting event of 2011, for me, was the visit for the week before Christmas by son Mark, daughter-in-law Debbie, and the fabulous dancing duo grandchildren, Megan and Austin! Their first visit to Peru, the kids' first trip outside the US, and my first experience having the family visit me since we left the US nearly 10 years ago (Mark visited for a few days when we were in Costa Rica, but this was a first for the whole family to come). Of course by the time they arrived here, I was a basket case from trying to have everything ready and perfect and planning how I was going to fit in everything that I needed to show them in just five short days!