Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Santiago de Cali

Cali is Colombia's third largest city and salsa dancing capital of the world. We loved it!!! We had be warned that it was HOT, but the cloudy skies cooled the days and it was just perfect to be strolling around in shorts and t-shirts. We indulged in great nouvelle cuisine (Nueva Vallecaucana) and overall had such a wonderful weekend.

Mati and Santi bonded like never before! Together, they had laughing marathons on a couple of nights at the hotel. They are starting to have a better relationship. Also, Santi surprised us with his crawling (really, it's more like he drags himself) skills - this little fellow will soon take off in an attempt to keep up with his older brother!!! Ayayayay ... what awaits us??

We were happily surprise with how well maintained the Cali zoo is. Here is Mati pretending to be all macho by telling the bird to come over, but as his body language expresses, is terrified!

High five monkey friend!
Butterfly watching



Mati saw 2 out of the 4 main animals/characters from Madagascar (the movie) at the zoo: Alex, the Lion and Marly, the Zebra. He saw this lion tail at the shop and begged for us to buy it. He's been running around the house in his lion tail ever since!



"If Mati has it, then I want it!"

Iglesia de San Francisco in the San Antonio neighborhood

Monasterio de la Merced

The Obama influence is EVERYWHERE!!!
Guadalajara de Buga
Seeing JC in the "box" made his day!!
Oh yeah ... the priest signing authographs on his latest CD ... gotta love the Catholic Church!
Museo del Senor de los Milagros
Busy man granting all these prayers
Cali and specifically the Cauca region originally developed its wealth from sugar cane plantations. Mati is learning how they pressed the cane (some 200 years ago!!!) to extract the juice and produce the sugar.



No comments: