Colombia Report March 2006 (First few days)

We were excited to be returning to Colombia, this time to show at the Exposition De Las Americas Y El Caribe (Caribbean International Shows under FCI rules). We would also be returning a couple of dogs, including "Jack", better known as Am Col Ch Hallmark Jolei Jacks R Better to our good friends Martha and Alberto Gomez. We also brought a young dog, "Remi", Am Can Ch Wenrick's Affair To Remembre to be shown. We would be staying with the Gomez family at their beautiful country estate just outside of Bogota. Traveling with us was good friend, handler and 'second daughter', Jennifer McClintock. It would be Jenny's first trip to South America and she was looking forward to an awesome experience and holiday.

The trip had a bit of a slow start. We were flying with Delta via Atlanta and were aboard the plane, Sunday, with dogs and baggage about to depart when the captain came back and said we could not leave the dogs on the flight. Apparently we were on one of five jets in the whole Delta fleet that could not accommodate dogs because of an unheated cargo hold. We had to debark and board a later flight. Unfortunately this made us miss our connection and caused us to 'overnight' in Atlanta to arrive a day late. Luckily the shows did not start till Friday and we would only miss a day of sightseeing. The only positive thing about the delay was the 'royal' treatment we were given by Delta as they arranged for rooms, meals and ground transportation caused by our delay.

We finally arrived at the airport in Bogota Tuesday evening and were met by a gentleman named Ricardo, arranged for by Alberto, to whisk us through customs and out to meet our friends. They included not only Alberto and Martha but good friends Diana Oliveros and her daughter Camila who would also act as interpreters. After pleasant reacquainting and Martha smothering her two dogs with hugs and kisses we loaded all the luggage, people and dogs into three vehicles for the trip to the Gomez home. The beautiful ranch house and immaculate yard and gardens within the secure compound made us feel especially welcomed combined with the 'Me Casa, Tu Casa' treatment by our hosts. The relaxing evening in the warm setting was filled with great conversation as we celebrated the beginning of our trip with a Champagne toast, further drinks and Colombian 'munchies'. Martha and Diana enjoyed the beautiful Inukchuk glass statues we had brought as gifts and Alberto was already sampling the 12 year old Canadian Club that Richard had brought for him. It was then off to bed for a good night's sleep in our comfortable, luxurious rooms.

Day 2 Sightseeing

We awoke the next morning and began to experience the '5 star' treatment that Martha and Alberto lavished on us. Personal Chef 'Eduardo' had prepared an opening gastronomical delight with our first breakfast. The bright glassed walled dining room and table were set in glamorous fashion using "Martelena's" own hand made dinnerware and all the trimmings. The food was unbelievable from the opening fruit medley to the traditional Colombian breakfast of eggs scrambled with tomatoes and spices and sausage.

It was then off to the Catedral de Sal at Zipaquira just outside Bogota which is a contender for the eighth Wonder Of The World with Martha, Diana and her daughter Camila. The drive north through the typical landscape of the "Sabana" with it's pine, eucalyptus and laurel trees at an elevation of about 3000 metres above sea level was magnificent. The monumental Cathedral Of Salt was carved out of an abandoned salt mine and featured the Signs of the Cross sculpted into the rock with large crosses as you walked down the tunnels 180 meters to the beautiful altar with all of it's statues decorating the walls...all hewned out of salt....definitely a 'must see' attraction when visiting the Bogota area.

It was then a pleasant drive back to Martha's for yet another culinary delight. Chef Eduardo had prepared a delicious lunch featured baked salmon smothered in grilled shrimp with all the condiments and of course the dining room and table were decorated in a fashion that any 5 star restaurant would envy. We were beginning to be spoiled by the pampering and already dreading returning home. We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and playing dog show with Martha soaking up handling tips from Wendy and Jenny like a sponge.

In the evening we drove through the heart of the city with it's 'hustle and bustle' to the beautiful mountains overlooking the entire city for dinner at the famous Tramonti Restaurant and Bar. The restaurant is similar to many found in the northern alpine area of Italy and again the food was unbelievable. Wendy and I had 'rack of lamb", Jenny had delicious pork chops done Colombian style while others had tender steaks, pasta and mouth watering seafood.

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