Day 44 Tuesday and Day 45 Wednesday

Yesterday was fun saying good bye to the other American family who stayed at the hotel.  I know that the kids like hanging out with each other.  They leave early Wednesday morning and we are leaving late Wednesday night. 

The last couple of days have been like ground hog day (the movie).  It is just the same thing over and over.  I can’t wait to get home.  If there was something fun to do around here I would have found it by now. 

I had an employee at the hotel ask me what I like about Colombia and all I could think of (to be political) was the people.  I told her that I realized everywhere you go there are going to be good people and bad people.  But then she asked me what did I like to do in Colombia and did I enjoy my stay here.  I had a long paused and quickly changed the subject.  I did not want to tell her that there is not any personal safety here.  Yes, it is an open market system and everyone talks to everyone but the people around here live in constant fear that somebody is going to take their belongings.  How could I show joy in a country that doesn’t have a lot of it?  I believe I am returning back to America a different person.  When someone sees’s so much sadness you really appreciate what we have in America.    

I often wonder how long it is going to take Bryan and Lusia to adjust to our family in America.  See the last several weeks we have been eating out, taking long showers, and swimming.  These are things that we as a family do not do every day in America.    Plus of course there will be the language barrier.  I believe Lusia has come a long way.  I have taught her to ignore her brother when he is making fun of her.  Bryan is finally starting to tell me the truth (Colombian children are taught to lie and never tell on someone else).  I guess when I told him that if he lies to me, I will lie to him.   He thought long and hard about that statement and I believe he came to the realization that I was right.

 

Well my next post will be from American,

 

John

Day 43 (Monday)

Today our lawyer, lawyer assistant, myself, and the kids went to the American Embassy for the kids visa’s.  It was great meeting Jeff in person.  Jeff was our contact at the American Embassy.  He was a great help to us though out this entire process.  When I was there Jeff made a funny commit, you made it finally.  I said to him that this whole process is like running the amazing race and I am glad that it is over.  He made a funny joke back by saying, it’s not over yet you still have to get on the airplane.

It only took about an hour to get the visas.  It was a bit different then what I thought it would be like.  The whole process was done behind a glass window.   There is only one way I can describe it.   It was like picking up tickets from a will call office. 

Afterwards at the hotel the kids went swimming with the other family staying at the hotel.

I am really looking forward to leaving late Wednesday night for America.  I don’t think I can take the way people drive around here anymore.  I have seriously lost count how many times we have almost gotten into an accident (besides the one we actually did) or almost ran someone over.  Today we almost were tea boned, again. 

 

Until tomorrow,

 

John

Day 42 (Sunday)

Today we worked on our English in the morning.  Bryan is getting much better with his numbers and English words.  Luisa is working on the basics still but showing some improvement.  After our English lessons, we went to the mall with the other American family for lunch.  After lunch we returned to the hotel where I discovered the bronco game was on tv (another win).   Luisa and Bryan worked on their English computers and worked on coloring while dear old dad watches the broncos.  During the game, I had a great conversation with a Colombian woman about Colombia.  She also told me that there are a lot of single moms in Colombia.  Here words were, “yes it is very common here”.   Very sad.

After wards the kids went swimming.  Bryan is now taking off his swimming wings in the hot tube.  Maybe next time I can get him to take them off in the pool.

Looking forward to going to the US embassy tomorrow to finish the process.

 

John

Day 41 (Saturday)

In the morning we worked on our English for a few hours.  Then we hung out with the other American family who is staying at the hotel.  The nice thing is that they are about 1 day behind us in the process.  So they also are expecting to go home sometime next week.  We went to the mall today and went to the arcade.  It was a good because it wasted about 4 hours.    Afterwards the kids went swimming.  They really seem to like swimming.  Both the kids use water wings when they swim.  Tomorrows goal is to see if Bryan will swim without them.

Until tomorrow,

 

John

Day 40 (Friday)

Today all I thought we were going to do was get the passports and pick up the doctors certificate.  There are so many more steps which I didn’t understand.  At times I was not sure what was going on.   Here is how the day went:

Stopped by to get the passports (no problem)

Went to get the doctors certificates but the doctor was not in and was told we needed to come back in a few hours.  The doctors said they would call us

So we went to the small ICBF to pick up another certificate.(not sure which one)

We still had time so we went to the mall for a bit and eat lunch (crepes and waffles).  We received a call that the doctor documentation was done so we picked it up.

I was then told that we needed to go to the Large ICBF for the appa seal (sp), which I thought we already had.  So we drove to a different ICBF and picked it up.

Then we drove to the lawyer’s apartment and gave her all the documentation to make the appointment for the visa, which I am hoping it will be Monday.

Now that we are at this point all I have to say is that there are a lot of steps, which involve way too much driving.  Traffic is very bad in Colombia

I am looking forward to Monday and finishing the process.

On a side note, It has cost between 80,000 cop’s and 120,000 a day to pay the assistant.

Here are a couple of things I have learned about Colombia up to this point,

$100 US dollars equals 1800 Colombian pesos (COP)

When taking a taxi, the running number on the mirror is not the number you pay.  You need to take that number and look at a chart that is located behind the passenger side seat.  I have been told to add an extra 2,000 pesos because sometimes they have extra charges for different days.

I was told to never hail a cab off of the street unless you speak perfect Spanish.  If you have a cab called for you ask for the license plate number and the code number.  The cabbie will ask the number.

Pay attention to the street numbers  (there are two).  Calles run east-west rising in numbers as you go north.  Carreras go north-south, increasing in number as they go west.  A typical address maybe calle 15 no 4-45.

The temperature has been warm for the most part.  Average is between 65-75 degrees.  But I will give you a heads up; the Colombian people think that this is cold.  It was not even uncommon for me to see people wearing winter coats (like ski coats). 

I have been told that Colombia has a high population of single moms.  I was told that men just abandon the mother of their children (what ever that means).  There were a few other choice words used but I don’t want to repeat them.

Driving in Colombia is crazy.  They drive very, very, aggressive.  They often use their horns and cut each other off.

The city has a lot of pollution.  If you have asthma don’t forget your inhaler.  My chest would burn every time I came back from a long drive in the city.

I was told not to bring any jewelry and I would have to agree with that.  The Colombian women don’t wear big diamonds on their fingers and this could draw attention to yourself.

 I was told that Colombia is the lowest country in the world when it comes to proficiency of English, so be ready. 

Watch were you walk because there are a lot of holes in the sidewalks and streets. 

The laws of Colombia are very different then the US.  There is not a lot of responsibility on property owners.

Don’t go out after dark.

Only walk on streets that have people on them

There are a lot of parks to go to in Bogota.  Ask the locals were they are at.

The Marriott by the airport is WAY BETTER to stay at then the Sheraton.   Not even a though about this one.

Most places in Colombia; you can’t flush your toilet paper down the toilet.  Put it in the trash can

Remember some parks you have to pay to use the bathroom, so bring change.

The size of the money is different sizes, especially coins.

Colombia is an open market system, so there are a lot of street venders.

Check your cell phones to see if they will work in Colombia and for what fee.  There are street venders who sell phones and minutes ( I never took advantage of this).

Most things you will walk to.

Colombians love ice cream

John

 

Day 39 (Thursday)

My lawyer did email me and tell what time to meet the assistant.   We went and order the passports today.  Also, stopped by ICBF for some paper work.  We also stopped by the courthouse for a signature.

I am very tired it has been a long day.  Only a few more steps left J

 

Day 38 (Tuesday)

Looks like the end is in sight for Colombia.  J

 

Today:

Today the kids and I went to go get the birth certificates (I believe) and Bryans ID card.  I say I believe because my lawyer sent another assistant with us today but this assistant didn’t speak English at all.   She showed up at the hotel at 8 in the morning but the only problem is that nobody told us she was coming.   I have been talking to the other American family and it appears that their lawyer communicates a lot more with them.  As a matter of fact, the other family told me that their lawyer is going to get their birth certificates and id cards without them tomorrow.    I would have to agree that I didn’t have to go today because I didn’t even sign anything.   I just went for long taxi drives, sat on hard chairs, wasted 8 hours of my day, and got a bill in the end for 110,000 cop’s for the assistants time.  But all I can say is, at least that part is over.  I am hoping that maybe my lawyer will email me back for the first time and tell me what time the assistant is picking us up tomorrow and if we are getting the passports and the doctor certificate.   Hopefully tomorrow I can have a positive day.

After dinner the kids went to the pool again.  I believe this is going to be a nightly activity because it really wears them out.  Also, Bryan and Luisa really like going to the pool

 

Until tomorrow,

 

John

Day 37 (Tuesday)

Today:

Today was a great day for the kids.  We took a long drive again to finish up their shots.  I told Bryan before we left that if he doesn’t get mad and takes the shot without a fight he can watch the harry potter video I bought him.  I do have to admit he did a great job with the shots; he even watched them go into his arm and didn’t flinch.  Pretty good. Lusia also did a pretty good job with the shots because she only cried when they went into her arm.   

I will admit still, the one thing I will not miss when I leave Colombia is the pollution.   My chest burns when I get home from a long drive. 

 

Well here are some long awaited pictures that I now can post. 

John

when we first got her

Look how much she has grown

Only a face a mother could love (on the left)

The swimming pool at the hotel

Just some locals

 Look in the back, that is the very poor houses I was telling you about yesterday.

This is an average size bus in colombia

 time to go swimming

Her 6 year old birthday pick

Bryan

Look how much he has grown!!

 Bryan being funny!!

Swimming time!

Day 36 (Monday)

Court news

Great news, we have been approved by the courts today.  Actually I went and signed the paper work so Bryan and Lusia are now ours in the Colombians eyes.  Now there are about 7 more steps that I need to complete in order to get approval from the US embassy but I am hoping  to be on an airplane next week or early the week after wards.

 

Today

Today we went to the doctors to get the TB test read and see the doctor.  I am so glad that the lawyer’s assistant was with me again because the doctors do speak English but none of the nurses or office staff speaks English.  She is such a great help.  Also, it is nice to be able to talk to someone.

We completed the doctor’s visit and the kids were about ready to get their shots when we received the call that our paperwork was ready (complete shock) and we needed to leave the doctor’s office and go to the courts.

The Drive

I needed a special label about the drive to the courts to sign the paper work because I was very taken back about some of the things I saw.  The court we had to drive to was just outside of Bogota city limits and it was a long drive.  It was a very small town but I have learned a new meaning of poor, which made me very sad.  I saw wild dogs running around, bard wire, broken glass on top of buildings,  no windows, main streets that were not paved (dirt), a man and a women on a bicycle with a baby ( the women was on the man’s lap as he was peddling and the baby was in the women’s arms), people walking in the street that my driver almost ran over, and I saw a part that they always show on tv.  This would be the houses with no windows and steel roofs.  We didn’t get close to that section because my driver told me that the police or military don’t even go in there because those people are very poor.  She told me that they don’t even have running water or electricity. 

The courts

Things went well at the courts.  I signed the paperwork to make Bryan and Lusia ours.  They are now a part of the Janda clan.

 

Tomorrow we will finish up the doctor process (shots) and hopefully start working on the birth certificates.  Also, Lusia birthday is tomorrow.

Also, I can now put pictures up of the kids, which I will start tomorrow.  I will also put some pictures that I took today.

Until tomorrow,

 

John

Day 35 (Sunday)

Strike:

No positive news

Today:

Had a great time over at John and Michael’s apartment watching another broncos win.  Little L did a great job with her behavior over at their house.  Her and Michael worked on an English preschool book and also little L helped Michael in the kitchen.  B was a bit upset, I believe because his sister was getting a lot of attention.  B had a couple of bumps during the day but his behavior was ok.

After returning from John and Michael’s house, we grabbed a quick bit to eat and then met up with the other American family at the hotel pool.  Eva and I had a great conversation about raising boys and girls are different.  They have two girls at home and are adopting a boy and a girl, so having a boy in the house will be different.  Were as we have two boys at home and having a girl in the house will be different for me. 

Well tomorrow we go for the TB results and from what I can tell the kid’s arms look good.  We hope to hear more about our case in the next day or two.

 

John

Day 34 (Saturday)

Strike:

No positive news

Today:

The kids needed some exercise so I took them for a one hour walk (one way) to TGIF restaurant.   Once we were there we paid way too much for the food but we needed a break from McDonalds.   When we returned little L didn’t want to get out of her bed, she looked so tired (I win). 

Pictures from the walk.

MMMMMM hungry

Picture of the mall in the background

I need to find out what kind of tree this is.  I really like it!!

Day 33 (the TB test day)

Strike news:

Bogota judges have created a special emergency procedure to push adoptions through.  But we are not in the Bogota court system so we are still up in the air about our judge.

 

Kids:

Today we went for the TB tests.  We were accompanied by our lawyer’s assistant who drove us to the doctor’s office.    The doctor’s office was farther than I thought from the hotel.  It was about an hour and 20 minute drive.  I am glad that our lawyer suggested that her assistant come with us from our hotel.  On the way, it was nice to talk about the Colombian people and the culture.  The biggest thing that I learned is that if a person commits a theft, the criminal only spends 2 hours in jail until released.  I could not believe that.  Also, the assistant is a collage girl who has been to the United States once and her English was pretty good. 

On the way to the TB test little L got car sick.  Enough said.

Once at the doctor’s office the assistant talked to all the right people for me and the process went well.  The test went as well as it could.  B was really upset about the test but I can’t blame him because of his background.  Little L was very tough and actually showed less anger than B about the test.

On the way back to our hotel little L got car sick again.  Enough said again.

I paid the assistant her fee (which was really fair) and extra to get the car cleaned.  I felt really bad but the assistant said that little L is not the first child to get sick on the way to the doctors.  I was kind of surprised about this and the assistant told me that in the six months of her doing this little was her fourth child getting sick.  I wanted to say, maybe it was her driving but I don’t think she would have gotten my joke.  So I didn’t say it.

We will return on Monday to have the results read.

Side note:

One thing that I have noticed is that the police don’t patrol the streets like the United States.  They don’t give out tickets for speeding or breaking laws from what I can tell.  I have only seen a couple of police cars on the streets, most police walk the streets.    

Day 32 (thanksgiving)

Strike:

No positive news today but I am taking the kids tomorrow for their TB test.

Today:

The kids had their last English lessons today in Bogotá with a hired teacher.   I will assume the duties of teaching them English from this point on.  B is really doing well on his English.  He really shows a strong interest in the subject of science but mostly in the planets.

Tonight we went to John and Michael's for thanks giving dinner.  All I have to say is thank you to John and Michael because it was really meant the world to all three of us for inviting us over for dinner, a little football on TV, and we played catch with a football in front of their apartment.  Not only did I really feel welcome but so did the kids.  L really was blooming because she was able to talk to other women (there were about 10 of us in their apartment) and I really saw her smile all night long.  B had a great time because he was talking to everyone about and writing about things he learned in science.  Also B wrote his numbers from 1-100 in English for everyone to see.  Also, B had his first chance to touch a football.  I will never forget where he touched and caught his first football.  It was a special moment for me and possibly him.  Once again, I felt very welcome.  I feel blessed having such great friends.    

Day 31 (Wednesday)

Strike:

No positive news

Today:

 Went to the mall and had lunch with the other American family that is staying in the hotel.  After wards we walked around the mall for awhile.

We are looking forward to tomorrows English lesson and then onto John’s house for thanksgiving.    

Day 30 (Tuesday)

Strike:

No news today

Today:

The kids had their English lessons this morning and things went well.  B is moving along so well.  L is still working on her alphabet and survival English. 

After wards we walked around a bit and went to the park. 

Here are some pictures from the day.  Please remember that we are staying in the nice part of town.

Picture of a backside of church.  Look close and you will see the barb wire around it.

I wanted to talk to these guys but I bet my wife would have killed me or they would have.  Notice the machine guns.  They didn't look happy that I took their picture when I walked by them.

Picture of the front of the hotel with the bomb dog.

Close up of the dog.  not sure if I am supposed to takes these so I did the best I could.

For some reason, graffiti is acceptable in Colombia.  Its everywhere.

Nice arch, to bad the police don't know how to control the idiots

I wanted to take this picture to show you an apartment building.  Look up close and you will see  electrical wires on top of the fence that I bet are on.

I took this picture because this is at a park.  Notice the sign that says tarifa, that means you have to pay to use the bathroom.  When you walk in the door and pay the fee the women hands you toilet paper to use.  No seconds!!

The back up shot of the bathroom.  They lock them up at night. 

Day 29 (Monday)

Strike :

Was told tonight that our judge did come off strike but his staff got mad at him so they are back on strike.  I was told that our paper work is moving along, whatever that means.    I have contacted the United States embassy and they asked me to email them on Friday if we don’t hear any news about a court date.

Today:

Went out with our new American family friends (mark and S and A) that are also adopting siblings and who are in our hotel.  He showed me the way to walk to the big mall and I showed him a good place to eat (crepes and waffles).   Mark kids were really great to B and L.  They became friends very fast. 

We walked all the way to the big mall then mark received a call from his English teacher who showed up at the hotel so we had to return.  L wasn’t happy so on the way home so she threw a fit.  I was pretty proud of Marks boy S because he was nice to her and carried her jacket for her.   I didn’t help much but it was a nice offer. 

I have asked L several times if she is happy and she always says yes.  Even though she is physically 5 almost 6 she behaves like a 3 year old girl.  I believe she has learned these behaviors to get attention in foster care.  I am sure with time she will learn how to act her age.

 

Until next time,

 

John

Day 28 (Sunday)

Strike:

No news

Today:

Today was a great day.  We went to johns and Michaels place today.  I am very grateful for their kindness and hospitality towards us.  We were allowed to do our laundry and watch another great bronco win. 

While at johns the kids played with the play-doh I bought them and there were not any out bursts during the day.  There were some close calls but things went well.

We are looking forward to news about our court date and getting home.

 

Day 27 (Saturday)

Strike:

Talked to the lawyer and she said things are on track again.  That means a couple of weeks we should have a court date.

 

Today:

I meet another American family that is adopting from Colombia during breakfast who are staying at the same hotel.  They are adopting a 12 and 13 year old boy and girl.  The reason we started talking is because the dad was wearing a jacket that said Colorado and I had my Colorado avalanche shirt on.

Later that day, we had lunch at a new restaurant with the family we just meet.  Had great conversations with them about Colombia and adoptions.

It was a rainy day, so we didn’t go to the park today.

I meet a guy in front of our hotel today that is going to take us on a jungle tour tomorrow.  He told me to bring my camera and lots of cash because there is a gift shop at the end of the tour.  Just Kidding MOM!!!

Looking forward to the Broncos game tomorrow.  I am praying that the children are on their best behavior tomorrow at johns.

Day 26 Friday

Strike news:

Sounds like things are moving but our next step is to get a court date and we don’t have that yet.

 

Today:

The kids and I are really getting to know each other.  Today we went to the Big Mall which we had to take a taxi to.  We walked around the mall for awhile were I bought the kids more play-doh and some play-doh tools that I will give to them on Sunday when we go to John’s place for the broncos game. J

We ate at La ponderosa which I believe is like the American version ponderosa (seemed like the same place hmmmm).    The food was pretty good.  But yet again L feels that she can act anyway she wants at a table.  She decided to take her shoes off and not eat all of her food.  I told her that her behavior was not appropriate in a restaurant and she didn’t like that.  But I have noticed that the temper tantrums have been calming down because L is realizing I don’t care about her attitude only her actions.  After paying the bill, once again she walked out of the restaurant folding her arms and tearing up.  I asked her if she wanted to hold my hand and she said no.  So I walked away from her.  She walked behind me with tears in her eyes.  But in a minute she runs up to me when she discovers that I am not paying any attention to her.   I will win in this game of chess.  I am hoping that by the time I get home with the kids (keeping my fingers crossed) that I will have this wild horse broken.

I think I confuse allot of Colombians because there has been a couple of times that L walks behind me in the mall or in a park with some tears in her eyes.  I can see it in many Colombians eyes, that are around us, that they feel bad for her (one even tried to talk to her).  In Colombia, women from what I understand are treated like princesses and they are not used to seeing girls crying.  As a matter of fact men even carry women’s purses here, always hold their hands, and completely pay attention to their women when walking down the street with them.   

The biggest thing I don't like about Colombia is the pollution.

Look really close and you will see the mountains.  That's not rain or fog its pollution.

Same picture of the mountains but a different day.  Not as much pollution but still really bad.

 

 

Well until tomorrow,

 

 

John

 

 

Day 25 Thursday

Strike:

Looks like the strike had ended.  Our lawyer has turned our paper work into the judge.  Now all that has to happen are the documents have to get reviewed by the court and then the judge has to have us appear in a court and rule in our favor.  Once that is done, we move onto the U.S. embassy requirements.  Not sure on the time frame yet.

Then once we return to the states we have all the paper work that needs to be completed.

The day:

Another day at the park.  But this time I found a much larger park for the kids to play at.  This one has 3 swings and something for them to climb on. 



 

 

 

 

 

The kids call this the big park.  3 swings are on the side not show in the picture.

 



I had a lot of personal first’s today.

-I saw a women and what appeared to be a 4 or 5 year old child begging on the street.  Really sad

-I saw a woman with a 4 or 5 year old female child pull the child pants down, cradled the kid and let the kid pee next to tree.  By the way, she was right next to a busy street and right across from a school.

-I really haven’t gotten used to women cleaning in the men’s bathroom when men are in there but today a 35 year old female security guard walk into the bathroom.  Sorry, but thank god for privacy laws in the United States.   

-I noticed today that the mall cops carry real guns, with extra rounds on a holster.

 

After the park we did our usual and went to the mall for a walk and something to eat.  Keep your fingers crossed for us that things are starting to move and it will happen fast.

 

John

 

Day 24 (Wednesday)

Strike news:

Nothing new, still promised tomorrow.

The day:

Today was another great day.  We went to a couple of parks, which the kids loved. 

this is what the trees look like in Colombia

Close up of the fruit on the tree.

This is about 4 feet tall

A typical delivery truck

 

the store I shop at

Having an washer and drier is a luxury in Colombia.  Most people don’t have one.

This is typical to see in Colombia.  Not everyone has a horse.  This is a main street, cars just go around these guys.

Day 23 Tuesday

Strike news:

Once again, as a couple of hours ago we have been promised that the strike will end on Thursday.  I have decided that I will get excited when I am on the airplane and its pointing north.  I feel like I am back in the Stone Age with the 3^rd world politics.

 

Today:

Sorry I haven’t added any more pictures to the sight but everyday that I head out it looks like rain.  So let’s see what tomorrow brings.

The kids had their English teacher come over and help B with his English and Spanish and L with understanding her numbers and letters.  The English teacher was impressed with all the pieces of paper I put up around the hotel room (telling B and L what it is in English).

Today we went to the park for a few hours after their English lessons.  At this park there is a slide, monkey bars, and swings.  It was big time for them. B and L had a great time.  They ran around like they were at a theme park.  But in the end B did his usually saying,  “La casa”.

But to his surprise we didn’t go home we went to the mall again, which is about a 10-15 min walk.  We had some snacks and then did some grocery shopping.  We bought the important stuff, chips, peanut butter, bread, jelly, crackers, candy, and juice.    We returned to the hotel.

We were going to go somewhere different tonight to eat but a tinker bell show came on and L gave me that look that she really wanted to watch it.  So we did.  By the time the show was over it was dark out and the safest place to go to is McDonalds which is right around the corner.  Uggg, L made her usual mess (this time spilling her orange soda which they call juice) at McDonalds.  The neat part for me was that there was a lot of middle school (I believe) kids in McDonalds and it was neat to see how different they are than American middle school kids. 

On a side note, I really miss my wife and boys at home.  I can’t wait to see them soon.

 

John