Leaving Bogota

Today went as planned at the embassy. We picked up Jose' visa and the sealed packet of papers that will be opened at customs in Orlando. In less then 24 hours Jose will be a US citizen. Hip hip hooray. Low key day otherwise. Jose has been busy sharing his jokes with the staff, it's a riot.

The Gonzalez family got their Sentencia yesterday and Karen was thrilled of course. A new family from Germany arrived yesterday also. They are adopting a brother and sister, 4 and 5 years old, so the house has come alive. They are as cute as can be.

Well we are packed and ready for the jet blue flight at 0900 tomorrow morning to BWI with a lay over in Orlando. It will be a long day, no complaints from us, we are definitely up for it. See you all in the States.

Thanks to everyone for following our journey. I can't thanks you enough for all the emails and prayers. This is a happy day for all three of us. Our dream has come true in Colombia.

Homeward bound

All went well at the embassy. We can pick up Jose' visa at 3:30 pm tomorrow. Thank goodness Maria our adoption agent had all the paperwork in order, and things went smoothly. Jose tried to convince them to issue the visa in one day so we could travel home in the morning but they told him it was impossible. That's my boy, it doesn't hurt to ask. So tomorrow we will pick up the visa and head home on Saturday. Can't wait to see everyone.

Goodnight for now. Thanks.

Moving along now

Finally Jose' birth certificate arrived in Bogota. After many phone calls from our lawyer Pilar the changes were made and the certificate made the 4:30 pm flight from Cucuta to Bogota on tuesday evening. So yesterday Pilar accompanied us to the center were ID cards are created, in Colombia these ID cards are similar to Social Security cards in the States. Jose needed a new card with his new name. From there we went to get his passport. At first they said it would take 3 days to get a new passport, when I heard that I nearly passed out. I explained that we needed a temporary passport, an emergency one but he did not buy that. So Pilar made a phone call and all was well.

We went back to the Zuetana to wait for Maria to take us to our doctor appointment.

Will continue later. Imagine that two blogs in one day. Thanks.

One day at a time

As we continue to wait we are trying to stay busy. I never thought I would miss routine, but boy do I. Yesterday after English class we all went to Geno's pizza. It's a great place for kids. It has these huge slides and tunnels for the kids to play on, you can easily kill a few hours there. After that we came back to our home away from home to play Tio Rico Mc. Fato, a Spanish version and knock off of monopoly. I will let you guess who won.

The highlight of my day was dinner. The cook served broccoli with a delicious fish, not sure what kind, and i was never so happy to see a green vegetable. Beside lettuce it has been over 4 weeks since I have seen any green veggies. Jose was not interested, he ate a very small piece and I was o.k with that, there was more for me. The simple things in life.

This morning we are waiting for a phone call from Maria telling us Jose' birth certificate has arrived. It is a possibility this morning. We are hopeful that this will happen so we can get his passport, new ID card and then have his doctor appointment in the afternoon. This experience has definitely given the word patience a whole new meaning.

This time together is priceless and he is a happy boy.

Waiting for our turn

Hi everyone it has been a few days since we have written. The Zuetana has been quiet the last few days. To update you, Friday Ryan, along with Beth and Sebas went back home. On Saturday the Adams family went home to Atlanta. We are so happy for everyone but, Jose wanted to know when are we going back to the Estados Unidos. He is looking forward to seeing his grandparents , cousins and Whimsey. He has been telling the girls he has lots of cousins and a dog named Whimsey.

So on Thursday we found out my name was entered wrong on Jose birth certificate and needed to be corrected before it could leave LaPlaya. On Friday after speaking with Maria Conseulo our agency rep, she said the changes were made and someone was driving the birth certificate down to Cucuta. Now LaPlaya is a very very small town and the roads to Cucuta are not in good shape. Our translator, Margarita said there could be boulders blocking the roads or roads could even be washed out due to the heavy rains they have had. So we really have no idea when the birth certificate will reach Cucuta. When it does it then will be sent via airmail to Bogota. Maria is hoping this will happen Monday afternoon. After receiving the birth
certificate we can continue with the last necessary paperwork. Of course we were hoping this.
would happen more quickly, but every time I get discourage, I just take one look at my boy
and I know it is so worth it. He has been a real gentleman through all of this. We are so
blessed and God is truly good.

The Gonzalez family is so nice and supportive. Jose has become friends with Leidy and Alejanndra. Today after church we plan on visiting a flea market behind the church, Carmen
Jose English teacher, said it something to see. Leidy's birthday is today so her mom Karen
suggested we join them for lunch then at 5 pm she has plans for a little party.

Sorry no pictures, I have to figure out how to take pictures with Ryan's IPad. Thanks for reading.

La Candaleria and Monserrate

We spent the day on Wednesday August 3rd visiting the La Candaleria and Monserrate in Bogota.  These are the last two areas of Bogota that we wanted to see.  La Candaleria is a historic district with really neat old buildings and alleyways.  It is where schools and universities are located and students of all ages were everywhere.  It is situated on the side of the mountain and the inclines are pretty intense.   We got some lunch at a very authentic Colombian cafeteria-style restaurant where we all ate way too much.  After we had enough of the walking on the side of a mountain and saw all we could see, we took a cab to the cable car entrance to go to Monserrate.  It is a monestary and church situated some 4000 ft above all of Bogota with incredible views of the city.  The cable car ride was great and the kids loved it.  Monserrate church was incredibly peaceful and scenic.  You could hear the chants of the monks while you prayed at the chapel.  Life size statues of the Stations of the Cross lined up the side of the mountain leading the monk living quarters.  We felt like we could stay there and pray all day!  So peaceful.  But we needed to get back to the Zuetana and prepare for bed.

Jose Aramis Rodgers

Ryan traveled to Cucuta yesterday for Sentencia.  Back to the 100 degree heat in Cucuta and then back again to 60-70 degree temperatures in Bogota.  We are proud to announce that Jose is now officially our son!  All without a C-Section or an epideral.  Now we just need to get the paperwork and processes completed to bring him back to the USA.   His birth certificate needs to be amended with his new name (in the town of LaPlaya, Colombia), he needs a new Colombia passport in his new name, he needs to get a physical by the US Embassy, and then, finally, we can get his Visa.  We are hoping that this all will take just one more week.

Train Ride to Zipaquira and Cajica

Today we enjoyed an incredible old coal-fired steam train ride from Bogota to Zipaquira. We traveled about two hours each way through amazing countryside on an incredibly sunny and pleasant day.  Performers went into each of the train cars and played traditional Colombian music.  We snacked on some arrepes and empanadas on the ride up.  Then we walked through the streets of Zipaquira.  We boarded the train (the whistle signaled us to get back) and headed on our way to the next town-Cajica.  When we got off of the train we were hoping to visit the Salt Mines, but we then realized that we missed the opportunity to buy the tickets.  Oh well, we had a great lunch at a place called Jica with grilled chicken, steak, and chorizo-with some cold beverages of course.  We returned back to Bogota around 5pm.  What a great day!

Sentencia..finally

We went to the movies today to see Cars2.

After much waiting the judge finally signed the paperwork and Ryan can go back to Cucuta to sign the documentation. It is referred to as the Sentencia. Ryan will fly to Cucuta on Monday AM and fly back in the evening. We are excited. Now the paperwork can proceed. Jose's birth certificate can be changed in his birthplace of La Playa. Then we can get his new Colombian passport with his new name. Then we can get his US visa and come back to the USA.

We enjoyed a nice evening back at Zuetana and sharing stories with the other families. Rainy and cool today (now everyone is jealous).

Tomorrow Jose has his English lessons with Señorita Carmen. He is enjoying the lessons. We will take some photos of his amigos and amigas and post tomorrow.

Thanks for your prayers. We are sure that they are working.

Settling in at Bogota

Sorry we haven't written in a few days just getting settled in, at the Zuetana in Bogota.  We were so happy to arrive and see familiar faces.  The Dressing-Goodman family are also staying here, a family we met through Kidsave last summer.  We were greeted by Beth's friendly smile, warm hug and knowledge of Bogota.  Jose and  Sebastian were also so happy to see each other and have been inseperable.  They have been talking non-stop and sharing their musica and peliculas.  This has been a welcome change for everyone.  After we got in and unpacked on Tuesday, Beth and Sebas showed us around town, we went to the mall had lunch and came back and the kids played.  The atmosphere is very family friendly, with an outside area for the kids to play.  The meals have been wonderful our cooks, who's name I do not recall, is fabulous.  It is so nice to have homecooked meals.  It is hard to believe we were getting tired of eating out. 

Wednesday along with Beth and Sebas, we went to the Oro Museo ( Gold Museum).  It is one of the largest gold collection's of it's kind.  It was very interesting and the boys were really good.  The museum is located in the city so the drive through the mountains was beautiful.  There are many parks and gardens along the way.   

Today Jose had his first english lesson, the instructor is a cutie and said Jose is a very nice boy.  Senora Carmen said he did very well and gave him some homework.  She will return on Saturday with some group activities planned.  We already see a big change from the winter with is speaking and understanding english.  Way to go Jose.

We found out yesterday that our demand has been reviewed and excepted with all the paperwork  in order, we are waiting for the judge to sign the document before we can continue the process.  We were told our lawyer is doing everything she can to speed things up and a director from the ICBF has also been involved, which apparantly is unusal.  We are praying we hear something tomorrow and Ryan can travel to Cucuta on Monday.  Please say an extra prayer for us that we get the call tomorrow and we are asking for one more prayer, that the process of changing Jose' name on his birth certificate does not take a week, as we were also told.

Thanks to everyone for reading the blog and commenting it really means alot.  You are the best.  Hope you enjoy the photos. 

Last days at Cartagena..on to Bogota

First of all an update on the adoption process.  We should be receiving a call anytime now to let us know that a hearing date is set for the adoption declaration.  This will provide declaration that we are Jose's parents with the Colombian legal system.  Ryan will go back to Cucuta for the day or overnight (depending on the hearing time) to sign this documentation at the court.  Afterwards, Jose's name will be changed.  This will take a few days to accomplish.  After all of this is done, then we can obtain Jose's visa at the US Embassy in Bogota.  Thus the last leg of our adoption journey will end in Bogota.

Cartagena is beautiful, but we are ready to go to the next place.  Packing and repacking is getting old, but we are looking forward to the cooler weather in Bogota and a change of place.

On Saturday we walked to and visited the Fort de San Fillipe.  Truly an amazing site to see.  An audio guide tour provided interesting history of the Fort and defenses of  Cartagena.  Afterwards, we walked to the old city and had some dinner.

On Sunday, we finally were able to go to Mass.  Of course, it was all in Spanish, but the Eucharist is always the same no matter what country you are in.  For our last evening in Cartagena, we went to dinner at an excellent restaurant on the water called Club de Pesca.  It is built in the remains of a Spanish fort section and is quite nice.  Excellent giant prawns, ceviche, and fish.  Ryan and I split a "sampler" dinner of a bunch of their specialties and Jose had..chicken.  Great place, incredible views, good music, and nice sea breeze.  It was a good way to end our visit to Cartagena.  We see why people love it so much.

Today (Monday), Jose received his school lesson, Ryan worked for most of the day, and we went in the pool.  We are finished packing and ready for our flight tomorrow morning.  See you in Bogota!

Fri 22July-Convento Santa Cruz de la Popa

Took a cab to the Santa Cruz de la Popa.  It is a 400 year old Augustinian convent sitting at the top of the highest spot in Cartagena.  Stunning views and interesting chapel and artifacts.

Thu 21July-Museums in the Old City

Thursday 21July enjoyed a low key day.  It is so hot that it is difficult to move around during the day.  Ryan went to visit his company's office in Cartagena during the morning and Jose and I went into the Old City to do some shopping and visit the museums and see the Cathedral.  Jose takes pictures of EVERYTHING, so we need to filter out many of the pictures.  We met Ryan around lunch time and had lunch at a French bakery that serves lunch.  We got back to the hotel and went swimming at the hotel.  Pizza for dinner tonight-thus the picture with the Italian flag.

Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca

On Wednesday, we took a boat to the Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca (aka white beach).  Boat held about 30 people (depending on the size of the passengers) and we departed around 0900.  Ride was about an hour or so long.  As you exit Cartagena, the Spanish fortess batteries (forgot the name) are on both sides.  First stop was the Rosario Islands.  It is a national park area with an aquarium and that is about it.  There are plenty of very large houses on various islands (now those looked really nice), but we really wanted to get to the beach-Playa Blanca.  Playa Blanca was very nice.  It has white sand and clear blue water.  It was extremely hot so we "rented" a tent on the beach.  Lunch was whole, fried fish with plantains, and rice--very good!  Then the swarms of vendors arrived like mosquitos looking for victims.  We made out better this time, but it is hard to relax when they constantly approach you.  Can't wait for OC and Bethany Beach!  We were concerned when they needed to work on the engines on the ride home, but we made it back safely.  All in all, a very nice day.

Cartagena...now we see why it is so great!

We took a double decker bus tour of the city of Cartagena this evening.  So glad we did it in the evening, the rain cooled it down and the sea breeze was great.  The pictures are beautiful we think.  We stopped and had a couple of beverages on the fort wall at restaurant overlooking the Carribean.  We then went out for dinner in the San Diego Plaza area.  The Old City of Cartagena is full of old plazas in the middle of the historic city-quite beautiful.