Tai Chi- Venezuela style

Tai Chi- Venezuela style... and other random things. This past weekend we wandered over to Parc del Oeste for a stroll around and some good people watching. We were greeted by a glorious spectacle. I had heard others describe a huge zumba like gathering but this was something you had to see to appreciate. It was like those videos I have seen of elderly people in China doing Tai Chi with everyone moving in complete synchronicity. The only small difference being that these people were not old or moving slow- they were booty shaking! Awesome to see live.

Walking around aimlessly is always great and today was no exception- just fun stuff to look at and do.

I realize that as soon as she doesn't want to hold hands anymore that I will have to wait until she is 30 to get to do it again- love it.

 

as we walked I kept noticing these L shaped poles everywhere that looked like mini gallows or places to hang and quarter your elk. It wasn't until I walked by the birthday party that I understood how important a properly hung pinata is in this country.

This guy just sort of strolled on by, reminded me of Nate's old lizard "Iggy"

Got to hit a few more from the local driving range so I thought I would showcase the Isom golf skillz.

check out Luca, he is either hitting with his eyes closed or singing to himself.

As a Coloradan who spends a bit of time out in the woods using a variety of things as "toilet paper au naturale" I have heard many of the "don't use ______ to wipe with" jokes that are out there. This plant however caught me quite off guard... and no joke people- Don't use this plant to...

 

One of our first dinners this year. My sister gave us the idea of writing down the fun stuff we did on little pieces of paper and putting them in a good times jar. It was great to read back through all of the stuff we have done. Travel is fun and seeing new places always interesting but the slips of paper that made me smile the biggest all had to do with people. The friends we have and have been making will always be the most incredible part of this little adventure of ours. Here's to more good times in 2014- We sure are glad that you're our friends!

Colorado Rocky Mountain High

It has been 2 years since the Isoms have played in the snow so we were incredibly excited about having a white christmas back in the home state. Many Coloradans had getting high on their minds with a recent vote to legalize starting on January 1st but for us it meant moving in to a little cabin at 10,500 feet elevation. Didn't see nearly enough friends but had so much fun skiing, sledding, and sippin that cocoa. Here are a few shots of what we were up to.

We began with a stop in North Carolina to see Grandma Eula. We had missed her big 100 year birthday party last January and it was so nice to visit.

We even got to play some cards, by the end of the night I was $300 down to G'ma, she can still play!

 We were lucky to stay in our neighborhood in a small cabin just up the hill from our house. It was great and aside from the spectacle of us lugging our wheeled luggage and groceries up the hill we couldn't drive our gutless rental car we looked like true mountain people once again

Hey Luca, your in my spot!

Elmo got to come and stay with us too- I hope I can be a mellow old dog like him someday.

Great to see the Mortons as always- and lucky me- I got to join in on a trip up to the Polar Star to "help" Mort with some hut jobs. Only took 3.5 hours of chugging to get there but as always the powder turns the next day made it well worth it

Being home is always interesting as it makes you notice and compare the little things. For example I just couldn't help myself the first time in the store- it is always tough to get milk and toilet paper in Caracas- you Americans don't know how lucky you are. Then we had our first trip to the gas pumps. 44$ for gas!?! that would have cost me 44 cents in Caracas. You Venezuelans don't know how lucky you are.

so hard not to hoard.

Makes you miss that sweet subsidized fuel

 What we were all really looking forward to was making turns at Ski Cooper our little neighborhood hill. Never crowded always fun and with the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center at the bottom we were 4 happy Isoms.






Great days and the Nights? Good times- especially when there is a neighborhood Winter Solstice bonfire. Anytime you get to watch Brian pour fuel on a large open fire it is a good night.

7:35pm

7:35pm and 2 seconds

We got to see family too and it was so nice to all those cousins!

faster Anna faster!

Luca, Wilder, and Tali

Luca and William

I haven't heard the kids lately, what do you think they are up to? Luca, Axel, Angus, and Wilder

Long pajamas for all the cousins! Luca doesn't look very excited- he just hasn't discovered that they have a dropseat in the rear.

 FAT BIKES! the nordic center rents em and let me tell you: nothing is easier than riding a bike up a snowy hill at 10,000 feet. At least the downhills are a kick.

Gord playing on the Fat bike

Grandad Esteban

 So a great time was had- sorry to inundate you all with so many photos- its just that we had such fun we don't want to forget it all. Here are a few more random shots.

Queen of the gingerbread house

recipe for fun: snow + flexible flyer + kids

I'll give you this finger warmer for those two toe warmers and a drink of your hot cocoa.

yeah yeah we know: "nerdtown is calling they want their mayor and his wife back"

these are so cool- makes me want to learn to knit and then go hunting.

If you don't know Daniel, you should. This is one cool kid, cooler than popeye even.

I don't often eat vegetables, but when I do I sneak the majority to small guinea pigs.

A man in love.

Since I moved to Venezuela Dale's Pale Ale started making extra large cans. Well played Dale well played.

My all time favorite view.

We got to go here twice. Seriously good stuffed sopapias.

Wilder, look up! well actually... don't.
Luca: all hail the king of the lizards.

 So there you go- we were dreaming of a white christmas and boy o boy did we get it. Filled our hearts for the new year and the new adventures ahead. We love you all- happy trails.

butter in a can and panda ham.

The Christmas Holidays are here and I have discovered a new tradition that I am quite fond of. I also have a few other food oddities to mention.

But first- Pan de Jamon. (there is no Panda in this dish- sorry). Around Christmas the bakeries start to roll out these delightful loafs full of Ham, raisins, and green olives. It sounds an odd combination but let me tell you- it is so tasty that even Lisa forgets her wheat allergy and has a small slice or two.

Pan de Jamon does not come with cute plush toys.

All told this thing weighs a good 8 pounds.

and the innards! looks a bit suspect- but tastes like a feliz navidad!

Some other foods that have caught my eye. Butter can be hard to find at times until a friend told us about butter in a can- Cannot figure out why the picture is sideways- but let me tell you- butter in a can is delightful and most likely what all my friends back in the states will be getting for christmas this year.

Not much to say on this last one except that I have never enjoyed reading a sugar bag more than when I read an azucarcasa sugar bag.