July 15th (Day One)
Dear readers,
Part 1
After a hectic day of preparing my suitcases for travel for the rather disparate climates of Bogota and Cartegena, I was ready for the day if travel. My wife kept warning me to not procrastinate, but I failed to listen. If she had not prepared my suitcases, I would have been doomed. The flight to Houston from Charlotte provided an excellent repast for some reading and napping. I always cringe at the puddle jumper jets, but at least I had the window seat. Flying above the clouds reminds me what amazing feats man has accomplished, and, to a greater extend, I am humbled.The shadows of the clouds on green land that resembled lakes, the immensity of the Atlantic, and the mighty python that is the Mississippi River filled me once again with wonder for God's creation. I landed safely in Houston.
Part 2: Technical Gremlins
I had fully intended to complete a Powerpoint for my future Cartagena students, but, alas, the universe had other intentions. I tried to upload photos from my iPad, but, apparently, I failed to download a software update. So, I ordered Internet access and began downloading--a three hour estimated process; unfortunately, after about an hour, My MacBook Pro had apparently used all its battery power. And, my iPad was completely dead as well, so I struck out to find a charging station--but neither the MacBook nor the iPad would charge. I tried plugging in my smart phone, and I bent the connector--so the phone was out of commission as well. Needless to say, I was completely tech free for most of my airport stay--so I read instead.
Part 3: Currency Travails
After a non-eventful customs check, we met Nicolas and Jill, our Bogota consultants, and headed to the Hilton, located in the Business District. I had dinner with four of my colleagues, but I was aghast at paying $21.000 for the cheapest item on the menu--spaghetti. Later, my Spanish speaking colleague, Jessica, explained that in Spanish the period is the decimal and, of course, the menu used pesos. $11 for a meal in such a wonderful ambiance was certainly not exorbitant. Lesson learned.
Dear readers,
Part 1
After a hectic day of preparing my suitcases for travel for the rather disparate climates of Bogota and Cartegena, I was ready for the day if travel. My wife kept warning me to not procrastinate, but I failed to listen. If she had not prepared my suitcases, I would have been doomed. The flight to Houston from Charlotte provided an excellent repast for some reading and napping. I always cringe at the puddle jumper jets, but at least I had the window seat. Flying above the clouds reminds me what amazing feats man has accomplished, and, to a greater extend, I am humbled.The shadows of the clouds on green land that resembled lakes, the immensity of the Atlantic, and the mighty python that is the Mississippi River filled me once again with wonder for God's creation. I landed safely in Houston.
Part 2: Technical Gremlins
I had fully intended to complete a Powerpoint for my future Cartagena students, but, alas, the universe had other intentions. I tried to upload photos from my iPad, but, apparently, I failed to download a software update. So, I ordered Internet access and began downloading--a three hour estimated process; unfortunately, after about an hour, My MacBook Pro had apparently used all its battery power. And, my iPad was completely dead as well, so I struck out to find a charging station--but neither the MacBook nor the iPad would charge. I tried plugging in my smart phone, and I bent the connector--so the phone was out of commission as well. Needless to say, I was completely tech free for most of my airport stay--so I read instead.
Part 3: Currency Travails
After a non-eventful customs check, we met Nicolas and Jill, our Bogota consultants, and headed to the Hilton, located in the Business District. I had dinner with four of my colleagues, but I was aghast at paying $21.000 for the cheapest item on the menu--spaghetti. Later, my Spanish speaking colleague, Jessica, explained that in Spanish the period is the decimal and, of course, the menu used pesos. $11 for a meal in such a wonderful ambiance was certainly not exorbitant. Lesson learned.