Being Home

Dear friends and family,

We just returned back to Bogota after a trip home to Toronto and Florida and it's amazing how returning home (to Toronto) gives one perspective on being away. I've been able to reflect on our time in Colombia more because I'm back in familiar surroundings. 

When we got home, people inevitably asked us a question sounding something like "So, how is it?" - to which I struggled to find an answer that was satisfactory to myself or to my attentive audience. I wanted so badly for people to understand WHY we moved to Latin America, to a land that people felt was dangerous or unknown, away from family, friends and the life that we know. AFter being home for 3 weeks, I still wasn't any closer to being able to encapsulate into a few succinct sentences, so I decided to write about it instead. 

One of our reasons for going was to experience change. I think the greatest change I have seen is in the girls. Ayla has become a girl, rather than a toddler. She is speaking a fair amount of Spanish already and can understand most of what is said to her by her teachers at her preschool or our current nanny, Flor Maria. I can tell that she has become a seasoned traveller because she constantly asks me whether she can bring this or that toy with her back to colombia, on the plane or wherever our next destination may be. When we boarded the plane to return to Toronto she said to me that she likes traveling and for the next 6 hours of flight, she stoically and patiently awaited our arrival. Her sister, Naiya, is a little less patient about the traveling that we have done. As a fairly nascent walker, she has a sense of freedom that she does not like having revoked. However, watching her run around in various airports and cities, almost oblivious to her surroundings, has been an adventure in itself. From trying to make friends with bomb sniffing dogs, to gracefully accepting the gregarious Latin affection she so often receives, "Muneca, preciosa, princesa, etc," Naiya has grown into a spunky toddler who just seems to take in all in stride, except when she doesn't get her way. 

I'm convinced that both girls have become convinced that they are princesses though. 

Ayla and Ivan (who's in control of who here?)

Although we have sought out change, we have interestingly enough ended up living in a neighbourhood in Bogota that resembles Yorkville. It is one of the posher areas and a short 5 minute walk down the hill from our apartment lands us in the Zona G, the eating capital of Bogota. Although there we have access to some great restaurants, the great Asian food we are used to in Toronto is not available. One of the first things we did when we arrived in Toronto was order Thai food and it tasted amazing! Apart from the ethnic food we have somewhat limited access to and the great expense of buying certain things, such as children's clothes and toys, the area we live in feels like it could be anywhere in the world. 

Ayla and Naiya with their BFF's

So, inevitibly, what we end up missing the most are friends and family and certain foods of course. We have a great network of friends in Bogota, but nothing can replace our nearest and dearest. What was amazing to me though is that being gone 6 months had no impact on the closest of friendships. Ayla went right back into playing amazingly with her best friend Elia and I got to have the mommy dates I've missed so much. Thank you to all of our friends for making the time over a very busy holiday season to see us on multiple occasions

As for family, our girls were lucky enough to be surrounded by the most amazing aunties and grandparents who lavished incredible amounts of attention on them. I was worried they wouldn't ever want to leave. From their new wardrobes to Ayla's freshly pierced ears, we have returned to Bogota refreshed and thankful for all of the amazing people we have in our lives. 

Bubbie and the little monkey

Ayla ready for her flight to see bubbie and zaida

Girls loving the sand in Florida!

Our flight back from Fort Lauderdale was easy and we managed to bring 9 pieces back including our 2 kid bike trailer (for which they didn't charge us), 6 packed suitcases full of our favourite foods and new clothes and 2 car seats. Our return has been very smooth. We took the kids out for their first ride in the trailer, which they loved. The Colombians didn't quite know what to do with the Gringo train that was led by Daniel on his bike, the trailer of squealing kids and a tall clumsy woman on rollarblades. We definitely made a scene.

Princess Ayla and Luna

Naiya in her element: WATER!!

On our way back, Ayla and I walked into a pet store, which was a big mistake of course. We left with our newly adopted 2 month old kitten who we've named Luna (moon). Unlike our beloved Namsai, she will remain an indoor cat. We had to give Namsai away because it's impossible to have an outdoor cat in the apartment living here and as his new mom will testify, Namsai needs to be in the wild. The girls carry Luna to and fro and love chasing her around the apartment. Thankfully, she has an abundance of patience for their antics and she has been a great addition to the family. 

Naiya lugging Luna around

School officially starts tomorrow and the coming months will be quite busy. We have our classroom without walls trip in February, which I may or may not get to go on. This is followed by a week long conference I will be presenting at in Buenos Aires and a golf trip for Daniel somewhere in the middle of that. We are meeting our friends, Jenn and Sam, at the end of march somewhere between here and Toronto.

Naiya had her first day of preschool today. They were worried she might not be ready, but I think she more than proved them wrong when she marched in there and took over the class. Ayla was a very proud big sister being in charge of her little sister on the school bus!

Well, better get back to bed. Haven't had a 5:30 wake up in a while. 

Wishing everyone a very happy new year!

Emily

Need I say more?