So the past two weeks have been a bit emotional for a couple of reasons, but also really great for others. My dad arrived safely but took forever to get through immigration, which is really uncommon in Bogotá. Normally people get through in about 30 minutes, but he took a whole 45! Nightmare especially at 4am! Anyway both of us managed to get back to sleep once we arrived at the house, which was very much needed.

So the first week of dad being here we pretty much did things within Bogotá rather than venturing further afield. We went to Usaquen Market, which has really nice stalls, with some handmade things and on that day they had some circus people so we got to watch some free acrobatics, juggling and unicycling; we had a day of just seeing the local area and going to a local park plus trying a new fruit juice (guanabana), which dad didn't know of; dad went to the Salt Cathedral, which is out of Bogotá, with the school where I learnt Spanish and then we met up with Abi, Danni and Alex for a drink and empanadas/ pizza. We went to the museums, walked in the centre; went to the botanical garden, my dance classes (dad didn't give it a go) and Monserrate (the church on the mountain). Dad also helped in my English classes and did a great job of explaining things especially words that I didn't even know in English!

One thing that was quite exciting is that when we were in the centre on the Wednesday we saw Prince Charles and Camilla, as they were visiting Colombia for a week or so. They only stayed in the car, but Camilla waved and then gave Charles a nudge so he waved to! Got some snaps of Camilla's hand…very exciting!

The second week we went to a place called the Lagoon of Fuquene, which is about an hour and a half from Bogota. We did this again with the school where I learnt Spanish so there was a good group of people. The place is an ecological site, and many University students, who are studying Biology, etc, go to learn about the ecology things! We learnt that the lagoon is now only 30% of the original size that it was, as it has been built on a dried out. We also learnt that the water is very contaminated and that this is a problem, as it is killing of wildlife, and plants, etc. The contamination comes from agricultural sources, and general waste being dumped in the surrounding area. We then learnt a bit about how to weave with reeds, and all of us had a go at plaiting some reeds. It was very obvious which parts the women had plaited and which bits the men had done, as there was a big difference in the tidiness! We then looked at the little shop of products, and there were some gorgeous baskets, which had been weaved, and I think that most people bought something. We then went on a little boat across the lagoon. As we set off the heaven's opened and the rain fell down. I tried to stick it out, as long as I could, but then I just had to put up my umbrella to protect me. We landed on this little island full of trees and rocks, and took cover until the rain stopped. It was quite amazing seeing the rain clouds move and seeing the rain drops move further away across the water. Everyone knows there must be a line where the rain stops, but until you see it, you never realise quite how cool it is.

After arriving safely back on the main land, we headed back towards Bogota to have lunch and celebrate Alex's birthday with a cake that Anderson (friend and tour guide) had kindly bought.

That evening Alex, Danni, my dad and I, plus others including Abi, went to the Italian Circus, which was in Bogota. Well what can I say about this circus…it was the strangest circus that I have ever been to! They had dancers who were awful with a Michael Jackson theme that just didn't make sense, they had a section before the interval where they had Optimus Prime from transformers appear, and they had two clowns that really needed to have a lesson in clowning. However, there were some impressive things to…motorbikes in a small ball all going round at the same time without killing each other, bicycle tricks, trapeze artists, balancing acts, kids on big balancing balls, plus a few other things. After the circus we spoke to one of the performers and found out that the circus is Italian because the owners are Italian…the artists are mainly South American. So there you go…if you want a circus you can say it is the circus of the country you are from but have performers from all over the world! Genius! It certainly was an entertaining night, but not necessarily because the circus acts were the source of the entertainment!

Sunday we went to church and then went back to Usaquen to properly look at the shops now we both had some energy. Danni came with us to which was really nice and we all had lunch together to. This time there we no acrobats, but there were the same decent shops so more things were bought. That evening we were having a meeting in the apartment about the work we are going to be doing in Santa Marta. It was great to meet some of the other people on the team and discuss the programme, as well as learn some more about the community we will be working with. All of us are really excited to be going and everyone has different skills to bring to the team. To warm ourselves up for the meeting we played the 'famous person' game, where you write the name of a famous person for someone else and they have to stick the paper on their forehead and ask only 'yes' and 'no' questions to determine who they are. This was very entertaining and a good way to break down any barriers. One of the best things is that we have all seemed to click, and there has been no 'awkward getting to know each other stage'. One of my hopes is that not only can we encouraged the community and be encouraged by them, but that we can encourage and support each other to.

The following week dad and I did things away from Bogotá, which meant fresher air, exploring and trying things out. On Monday we went to the Natural Park of Chicaque, which is in an area called Soacha. We had to take the transmilenio for about 45 minutes and then a small shuttle bus to the entrance of the park. I wasn't exactly sure where the little shuttle bus was so I asked a police man. He didn't know either, as he was from the very north of Bogotá, and so he walked us to ask someone who worked in the transmilenio station. When he found out where he was, he then walked us to where the bus was. He insisted that if I ever had a problem or a question I should ask the police, and that they should help out. I have to say that I was really impressed with his attitude; he was really helpful and appeared very concerned that my dad and I would be safe. The bus wasn't very well advertised, and we only knew it was that bus because there was a man with the park jacket on directing people to where the bus was. Whilst waiting for the bus to go other people got on. One couple who were Colombian checked the bus registration plate with someone on the phone…I think it could have been the park.

Anyway, we arrived fine and once we had paid, we set off exploring. I had slightly forgotten how steep the paths were, which is fine on the way down but then at the end you have to hike back up them! We went off the main path onto some trail paths and it really was beautiful. We hiked for a long time going to the Eagles peak where you have the most incredible view, went via the Butterfly section, only to find there were none! We made it to the centre and ate our picnic, which gave us the energy to continue. This time we went to the cascades, which really was a hike! Dad was starting to struggle, but like a hero, he persevered and we made it. The water was okay to drink so we gulped it down. We then had to go back along the path…this was hard for dad, but again he pushed on through and made it. We rested a little bit again at the centre and even though I enquired about transport back to the entrance, the lady was really unhelpful, so we started the climb. After an hour, my prayers were answered and the park car came past, and gave us a lift to the top. We were both shattered, but dad had also started having cramp so walking was just tooooo hard. Thankfully the bus to take us back to the station was there so we got on and an hour and a half later, we arrived back at the apartment for a well needed shower. I had felt quite disappointed, as I thought that dad wasn't enjoying himself and had thought that it would have been just the best day. He reassured me though that he had enjoyed it despite it being hard work, and enjoyed the fact that we had got to do something like it together. I really was proud of my dad for persevering and realised a bit where I get some of my determination and stubbornness from! It certainly is not my fault now then ;-p! As you can all imagine that night was food and crash and sleep…well needed.

Tuesday was a rest day to try and recover from our mission the day before. We did nothing all morning then went for a walk to the shop that afternoon, which was enough exercise and we were both thankful to get back to crash again! I love these days!

Wednesday we went out of Bogotá to a town called Guatavita, which does have a lagoon with a myth, but we avoided that, as I have been before and if I'm honest wasn't overly impressed. However, the town itself is really cute. We arrived there and as it was a weekday it was pretty empty. It was lovely to be able to walk around without hussle and bussle, and basically have the place to ourselves. We enjoyed a coffee and juice, wandered round the few open shops, explored a road to get a good view of a different lake, which was huge, appreciated the amazing views of the mountains, then had some lunch and got the bus back to Bogotá. A simple day, with fresh air, peace and more time to chat.

Thursday was another fun day! We went to a place called Fusagasugá, which again is about 90 minutes from Bogotá. It took us an hour just to get out of Bogotá, but we made it. So we went to this place because there is a coffee plantation, and you can have a tour and learn about the process before trying the coffee. Abi came with us to, as she is also a coffee lover and is interested in how things are done. We were the only ones there at that time so had a private tour. I had gone previously with the school, but I have to say this was better. We sniffed different coffee beans to determine which were good and which were bad and learnt why they were good or bad. If they have been left in water too long, they go back, if they are simply bad coffee beans (small, damaged) they are bad, plus other reasons. We then sniffed ground coffee and again learnt which was good and bad. We learnt that if you roast coffee for 30 seconds..yes 30 seconds too long, it burns it and leaves bad coffee! Once we had smelt the good coffee, it was really clear which the bad stuff was. We also learnt that coffee is package the day after it is ground and the best before date is a year from this date. So if you want fresh coffee, look for a best before date a year after the month that you are in. Also to store it, keep it in the packaging, put it in an air tight container and place in the bottom of your fridge with your vegetables…NOT in the freezer. We then got to try the fresh coffee, plus a little extra and enjoy just being in the beautiful grounds of the plantation. This was dads last full day here, and I think he enjoyed it. That evening we watched a film and spent more time together.

So dad's last hours in Bogotá, we again had a slow morning and then after lunch dropped his bag off at my work and went and bought some more things that he wanted. He helped again with my English class and again was amazing at explaining concepts and teaching better ways of saying things. We were doing interview practice in English, so he was really helpful in explaining how to say things in a better way. After this we went to Crepes and Waffles for Ice cream, which is a must if you are in Colombia and then went to the airport. It was a sad moment saying goodbye, but made better knowing that in 9 weeks I'll see him again J. I can also happily say that he arrived safely home.

The almost two weeks were great and I loved having my dad here, getting to know him more, chilling out with him, and sharing this part of my life with him. Even though we don't speak all that often, I felt like no time at all had passed since the last time that I saw him. It often amazes me that when you see people out of their environment, you really get to know them more, and I loved what I saw with my dad. Even though I have a sad feeling about leaving Colombia, I have so much to look forward to in England and a big part of this is getting to spend time with my family again and continue learning who they are as individuals. One thing that I can honestly say that I have learnt since being here is how important family are. This culture certainly has that bit right.

Once again I've managed to write an essay, but soon you won't have any to read so make the most of them!

Lots of love xxx