One week of life in Colombia has proven my initial pre-conception that no amount of preparation would brace me for the lived experience of la vida en Colombia. Two weeks ago, while still in Canada, I was asked about a thousand times: “are you excited to be moving to Colombia?” And, while I said “yes of course”, the reality was that I was in fact indifferent, or even apprehensive, with many unanswered questions and still having little knowledge about the country itself aside from its checkered past, now glorified by Narcos.

How quickly things can change. Exactly seven days in, I could see myself having a long future in Colombia!

Our trip home has been short and sweet, we have been back for just a little bit less than a year now, but it is time to move on. The majority of our time has been spent in Alberta, and it was nice to kick off the summer here one last time, and help ring in the celebration for Canada's sesquicentennial anniversary, or the 150th anniversary of freedom from our colonial oppressors, or if you are aboriginal: the 150th anniversary of a change in title of your official oppressors. In general I think most though chose to focus on the positive realities that 150 years of nationhood bring, and it was a particularly festive mood here in Cold Lake. A time for food friends, parties, and family. (except for Clara, she was not allowed to participate because she is a Kiwi :) 

Just kidding! We let her hang out with Nana and Papa Mark where she caught her first fish whilst camping out near Moose Lake. This allowed us to focus on packing up the condo and getting all of our stuff sorted before moving out finally.

Our first days of homelessness were spent at Steph's mom's place. And we took in the Canada Day Parade, and pancake breakfast first thing in the morning. Did a few a Canada day activities at the beack and then returned for a concerrt by 90-00's Can-Rock icon, Bif Naked, who is now a breast cancer survivor/motivational speaker as well as being a rock star. The highlight here was taking Brynn and Aurora to their first ever rock concert, though Brynn spent most of the time trying to recover body heat after playing with her friends IN the lake with her clothes on. This culminated in her passing out during the fireworks show and having to be carried ( like a baby because she was passed out) for 2km by her dad. 

We are now the eve of our departure to Toronto, followed closely behind by four days by departure to Halifax for a farewell to our East Coast family.