Today was a mix of emotions, a bit of exhaustion followed by a (much needed nap - only by Mom & Dad while Z watched Netflix) and then a wonderful evening. Z continues to be a champ! She is loving having other kiddos here to hang and play with. There are moments of stress, as she is going through enormous amounts of change; however, all in all, she is doing quite well! I think she really LOVES the slumber party atmosphere of sharing a room with us! Okay, so we like it too! She slept well last night and is passed out again tonight! This morning we woke up to fried eggs, toast, coffee and fresh fruit. We chatted with our new friends, played a bit in the backyard of our hotel / hostel (they have a bit of greenspace and a swingset) and then off we went to get a tour of the about 10 block radius of streets that we should frequent. When we first started to get ready for this trip, we went shopping and bought a bunch of new summer clothes for the girls and us, and then, with a bit of back tracking, we looked at the weather....yep, we are south of the equator, so we are going into their Fall season here I guess. That said, we shopped for a second time for more fall like apparel. 60s are normal here now. So today, while walking, we were a bit bundled up, and it got hot. Maybe it was the altitude that started to do us in? Maybe it was the unexpected sun? Maybe it was walking and not knowing where we were going or 'how much further' we had to go? But, we became exhausted. We did get to see lots of great things! This area is a great area in Bogota! Right in the mountains, surrounded by shops and parks and tons of people biking and roller blading! No worries at all. Very cosmopolitian. We found the bank, the grocery store, the baby goods store, local coffee shop, pizza place, indoor play places, etc. Very nice to get to know the area, but very tiring too! We came home, our new home at least, and zonked for a bit! Much needed!
Our hotel is a single family home of sorts tucked in amongst tall, very modern and lovely, condo buildings. An odd fit for the area. Our hotel / hostel is named El Refugio, and it has about 10 bedrooms, all with private baths, and a common living / dining and kitchen area. Quite home'y.' The staff is wonderful so far. Out back there is a nice size green space with patio table and swingset, all fenced so the kids can just play play play in safety. We are quite content here.
Currently there are several adopting families here, 3 of us that are adopting from FANA, 2 others from a different orphanage. I believe one of the families is from France, one Spain, one Portugal and 2 America.... or something like that. Kind of funny to watch us all try to communicate. :) I am sure we will learn more about each family as we are here longer. One family, who is also adopting a little girl, age 3, from FANA has been here 10 weeks now. Argh!
Anyhow, tonight, Erin, the mom of the other American family, had a babysitter coming to hang with her 2 older boys, ages 3 (Ben, adopted from Ethiopia) and Lucas, age 5 (adopted from Bogota / FANA.) The girl is a colege student here in Bogota and she works with Erin's husband Ted on his Medical Mission Trips here in Colombia. Pretty safe relationship. :) Her name is Daniella. Anyhow, Erin offered that Zahria could stay back at the hotel and hang with the boys and Daniella too if she wanted. Honestly, I didn't think this would fly, for us or for Z, but as we learned more, we felt better and so we gave Z the option, she was all in. The kids were staying here, in a secured building with secured staff with a college girl that works with Erin's husband, so all was safe. They had a grand time! The 3 of us, and Sam, Erin & Ted's youngest (that they are currently in the process of adopting through FANA) went out. We only went 3 blocks away to the BBC, Bogota Beer Company. YUMMY! Chris ordered a local beer, Erin a red wine and me, a yummy Asian fruit Martini. The local gentleman next to us recommended it! We also ordered super yummy Nachos! A great little trip, a celebration of our current life! Because tomorrow, we meet our littlest and,,,,well, who knows how much life is about to change for Team Fellerman! :)
Today was a mix of emotions, a bit of exhaustion followed by a (much needed nap - only by Mom & Dad while Z watched Netflix) and then a wonderful evening. Z continues to be a champ! She is loving having other kiddos here to hang and play with. There are moments of stress, as she is going through enormous amounts of change; however, all in all, she is doing quite well! I think she really LOVES the slumber party atmosphere of sharing a room with us! Okay, so we like it too! She slept well last night and is passed out again tonight! This morning we woke up to fried eggs, toast, coffee and fresh fruit. We chatted with our new friends, played a bit in the backyard of our hotel / hostel (they have a bit of greenspace and a swingset) and then off we went to get a tour of the about 10 block radius of streets that we should frequent. When we first started to get ready for this trip, we went shopping and bought a bunch of new summer clothes for the girls and us, and then, with a bit of back tracking, we looked at the weather....yep, we are south of the equator, so we are going into their Fall season here I guess. That said, we shopped for a second time for more fall like apparel. 60s are normal here now. So today, while walking, we were a bit bundled up, and it got hot. Maybe it was the altitude that started to do us in? Maybe it was the unexpected sun? Maybe it was walking and not knowing where we were going or 'how much further' we had to go? But, we became exhausted. We did get to see lots of great things! This area is a great area in Bogota! Right in the mountains, surrounded by shops and parks and tons of people biking and roller blading! No worries at all. Very cosmopolitian. We found the bank, the grocery store, the baby goods store, local coffee shop, pizza place, indoor play places, etc. Very nice to get to know the area, but very tiring too! We came home, our new home at least, and zonked for a bit! Much needed!
Our hotel is a single family home of sorts tucked in amongst tall, very modern and lovely, condo buildings. An odd fit for the area. Our hotel / hostel is named El Refugio, and it has about 10 bedrooms, all with private baths, and a common living / dining and kitchen area. Quite home'y.' The staff is wonderful so far. Out back there is a nice size green space with patio table and swingset, all fenced so the kids can just play play play in safety. We are quite content here.
Currently there are several adopting families here, 3 of us that are adopting from FANA, 2 others from a different orphanage. I believe one of the families is from France, one Spain, one Portugal and 2 America.... or something like that. Kind of funny to watch us all try to communicate. :) I am sure we will learn more about each family as we are here longer. One family, who is also adopting a little girl, age 3, from FANA has been here 10 weeks now. Argh!
Anyhow, tonight, Erin, the mom of the other American family, had a babysitter coming to hang with her 2 older boys, ages 3 (Ben, adopted from Ethiopia) and Lucas, age 5 (adopted from Bogota / FANA.) The girl is a colege student here in Bogota and she works with Erin's husband Ted on his Medical Mission Trips here in Colombia. Pretty safe relationship. :) Her name is Daniella. Anyhow, Erin offered that Zahria could stay back at the hotel and hang with the boys and Daniella too if she wanted. Honestly, I didn't think this would fly, for us or for Z, but as we learned more, we felt better and so we gave Z the option, she was all in. The kids were staying here, in a secured building with secured staff with a college girl that works with Erin's husband, so all was safe. They had a grand time! The 3 of us, and Sam, Erin & Ted's youngest (that they are currently in the process of adopting through FANA) went out. We only went 3 blocks away to the BBC, Bogota Beer Company. YUMMY! Chris ordered a local beer, Erin a red wine and me, a yummy Asian fruit Martini. The local gentleman next to us recommended it! We also ordered super yummy Nachos! A great little trip, a celebration of our current life! Because tomorrow, we meet our littlest and,,,,well, who knows how much life is about to change for Team Fellerman! :)
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Thinking of you all as I go to bed tonight and excited for what you have waiting for you tomorrow!
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