.....New Amigos!

Howdy Folks......

A few notes before the parties begin tonight...hopefully these will not be my last words you here from me...I hope to post one more time tomorrow before starting the trek back to the bluegrass.....and a warm shower! Also...Mom I´d like to say I´m sorry for taunting you with the pictures of the meat.....my zest for food has finally caught up with me and I believe I have some serious stomach issues.....but nonetheless I will not let it damper my journey! I think I just found my next trip....a marathon in Antarctica!

1. We went out with our friends last night to Palmira, we met at Fernando´s house and then went out to a resturant at the mall....good times! I dont think my flash was working!



The crew out in Palmira (notice I have a slight sunburn....)


Professional Dancers......all I can say is WOW!

2. I have seen some pretty creative vehicles.....but this motorcycle/truck may be one of the craftyist things that I have seen yet!


The pic above is of our bus that had to stop for gas, as you can see above at the gas station they also have natural gas which some cars run off of. I have to say I am still amazed I have not seen 1 accident on the road yet.......
3. Again, I cant say enough for what Enelio does for his community, not only did he bring 300 pounds of clothes for the people (there are alot of kids wearing around SCMS State Champs Shirts) but some people also gave Enelio some money for the trip and he bought groceries for five families....here is one below. Make sure and check out the picture of the chicken, I got to see Enelio´s dad put it in that bag when I was shaving this morning...quite an art.



4. Today at the corner store I bought some M&M´s ....they were under lock and key.....still unsure why. Here are some pictures from the store Enelio used to hang out in Palmira....



5. Enelio took me to visit his old home...they rented two rooms in this complex and shared one bathroom and a shower with up to four other families.......


6. Angie....I also had the opprotunity to have my first glass of Colombian Milk......and lets just say it was straight from the cow....I think I am going to stick to the good ol 2%!

7. Here are some random pictures that I found interesting.....

This dog was on the third story...and was trying to kill us!

My favorite house..note the two Shamu´s adorning the roof line....I think I may try this in Canewood!

Champs!!!

1. just got back from a third day of basketball in Cali and today was the actual tournament, for some pointless reason they had two days of pool play....Page, the organization of the tournament would drive you crazy. After Enelio´s team won we had to wait around for an hour for someone to bring the money (still unsure why the tournament manager didnt keep it). During the games I got to meet Enelio´s professional coach (Coach Moreno) and we talked basketball and some X´s and O´s...he could speak really good English!

(If you look in the background of this picture you can see the lines of the police lined up....unsure why)

2. Last night on the way home from Cali we stopped at a Casino at the bus terminal (Nanny you would have loved it) we gave them a dollar and they gave us around 30 coins to play...Enelio had never been so we just put those coins in and Eneilo hit a jackpot and won us enough money to get home for free....(nanny if he would have bet three coins instead of one we could have took a limo home!)

3. I have begun taking pictures to show my class about the culture of Colombia and I took this one on the highway today on the way to Cali....I had a little time because our bus had to stop for gas!

4. Mom here are some more of my girlfriends....Wallace tell me which one you want me to bring back.......Coach Page, we need to bring your AAU team down here for some games.....



5. Mom I thought you would like to see some more pictures of what I am eating....no worries I´m sure they washed their hands....




6. Showing Griesser and Hundley and Montgomery County some love in Manizales, Colombia!

7. Here is Enelio enjoying our favorite refreshment....its like a super snow cone with fruit and condensed milk...it had so much sugar in it after I got done eating it my head was spinning from the sugar rush! I am still suprised that the only fast food chains I have seen here so far is Domino´s and Dunkin Donuts.....their were a couple of McD´s but apparently the goverment shut them down for selling other white stuff than salt and sugar......

In Route to Cali....

A couple of quick notes, we are stopping thru this internet cafe on the way to Cali where Enelio will be playing ball today....so I cant post any pictures

1. Today we went shopping in Palmeria, Enelio wouldnt let me take my money out in fear that someone would steal it....but I got a bunch of good stuff!

2. Last night we went to Cerrito where a family took us out to eat and we went and hung out downtown.

3. In Cerrito they had an inflatable set up on the street....so maybe I can expand our business down here as well...we already have the Colombian colors!

4. Last night we went to one of Eneilo´s famliy member´s house for a party and I took some great pictures....the little girls were trying to teach me how to salsa......it didnt work

5. After that party I went back to Enelio´s with his son Santiago and played some playstation....not Call to Duty......Sorry Downey.....About 15 of Enelio´s neighbors came over and tried to teach me some more spanish.....I got a great pic of them I will post later.

6. We just got done eating at Germon´s house for lunch....I dont think I have paid for a meal yet!

7. I am completely tired of eating and think that I could make it a day or two with out eating

Mom here is the photo of the dog we found for Harley at the Internet Cafe....I think they can be really good friends, I aslo think she has taken a bath at some point in her life!

I am looking forward to the New Year´s festivities.....if it gets any more crazy than what it is now I am not sure I will survive. On almost every street people have made fake people with clothes on......on Wednesday they stuff it full of fireworks and light it on fire....I hope I get to see it...that´s if I can survive the flaming soccer ball game.....Adios DTW

....volver de Cali!

It´s HOT down here!!!!

Some more quick notes......

1. I went to a birthday party with a live marichi band and ended up salsa dancing....yes Page....they took pictures (see below) but I am not going to guarantee you a pic of me playing soccer... (as you can see I look comfortable...)

2. During the birtday party three of Enelios old teamates came in from Cali to pick us up.....we went salsa dancing yet again (until five in the morning).....I have found it a new hobby of mine to people watch and simply pray that one day I will have the coordination of a salsa dancing Colombian!

3. Not only can the people here not drive but I found in Cali today there are no lines on the roads....

4.Another reason we went to Cali was for Enelio to play in a 3 on 3 tournament (pool play today tournament play tomorrow)....I think Me, Page, and Oser could do some damage in it.... Enelio is like a king in Cali and did two TV interviews within our first five minutes of arriving...

5. Mom I know you told me to not eat the meat hanging on the street with the flies around it so I just took some pictures next to it.....

6. O yeah mom, after the pictures we bought some ribs and took it back for Enelio´s Mother too cook, here is me eating it below......I guess I should have got that typhoid vaccination after all!

7. Before the Birthday Party last night we went to another party over at Armando´s house were we ate more meat .......German was our own Rachel Ray (see below)

I have found that the trip would be rather difficult if Enelio wasnt translating and I have also learned that any time anyone asks me anything I just say yes ¨ci¨ ....so that way they dont know I am an American! The park we played ball at today had been closed because some of the drug dealers had lost a game they had a couple of thousand bucks on so instead of paying up...they just killed their opponent! But, again I have never felt in danger and the people here are very, very friendly....I could easily see myself making a return trip! Enelio says its time to roll.......vamos-DTW

Back From Manizales

Picture above is at the Cookout
in the backgroud you can see the Paraiso Mountians and Sugar Cane

A couple of quick stories

1. I saw a guy walking down the street with a knife clutched in his hand, when I asked what his deal was they said he was carrying it for personal protection.....

2. The four hour bus ride to Manizales was the worst road/bus ride I have ever been on. The bus driver was going about 90mph on a two lane curvy road (Enelio tossed his cookies)

3. On the bus ride I noticed there were goats, cows, and horses eating the grass in the middle of a four lane highway...I am still unsure how they got there.

4. It rained most of the day yesterday which means it is very humid today.

5. I have found I have no hope of being a salsa dancer (sorry nanny I wont be on dancing with the stars) it seems the folks here are REALLY into their salsa....we were dancing until 5AM in Manizales. I have quit trying to learn how to salsa, I know the moves but cant get my coordination to cooperate.

6. On the way to the hotel from salsa dancing our taxi almost hit a donkey that was hanging out in the middle of the road (would probably be worse than hitting a deer)

7. Enelio´s mom is stuffing me full and I am on pace to be back at 220 lbs by the time that I get home.

8. I will post later about this but in Enelio´s town of Amaime, he pretty much takes care of the entire community...it is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. For instance today I had the chance to meet Daniela, who is deaf. Enelio has been assiting her with funds to travel to Cali to get her implant so she can be able to hear some....big time stuff!

Daniela (right) and Gabriela (left)....Gabriela has been working on her English so she can speak to me!

Coach Page....dont laugh, I am expected to play soccer here on Wednesday.....I think I might sit that one out, also I am having a tough time converting money here, Page I am sure you would be a beast at it! I have found about three people that speak good english but I have found it rather easy to communicate without talking...... Back on the music, these folks are all like a bunch of human radios...they know every salsa song by heart that comes on at any point during the day. They are very passionate about their music and love to dance. Believe it or not, I finally got the pictures to load....we are about one street down from Enelio´s house at an internet ¨cafe¨.....last time we had to drive 10 minutes to get access. I will quit talking and post some pictures, hope all is well....adios-DTW

BTW Mom, there are not many blonde girls down here, you will have to settle for a brunette daughter in law (Carolina)

Enelio´s House (they rent out the upstairs $75 bucks a month....Hundley, dont get any ideas!)

Roxana I fugured you would like this one, a guy selling inflatable pools from his car!

Example of a ¨hill¨ in Manizales

This is the ¨frog game¨...alot like corn hole but more holes! You throw six brass rings, the hole it goes in is the point value you get...I you get your brass ring hung on the hook you automatically win.....if you put it through the frogs mouth you get 1,000 points...I got that on my second throw....and then didn´t hit the board again!

Enelio´s Backyard

Da Toilet

Da Shower

I´ve had chicken feet...but chicken head doesn´t look so plesant!

Mom...no worries Felix (in white shirt above) has been watching over both Enelio and I..... we are safe!

Palmira

Enelio and I have come to Palmira today to exchange some money...some how I have made it two days here without one peso. I have found myself learning some more spanish, and most of the time Enelio forgets and starts talking to me in Spanish! Tonight we are headed on a road trip to Manizales and will be there until Sunday. I have taken alot of pictures but I guess I am going to have to wait until I get back to upload them. This morning I was awoken by a guy selling eggs from a motorcycle on the street and soon after came a guy came selling mops and toilet plungers (Enelio may have to buy a plunger...he has been eating non stop!) Mom I have found some friends for Harley but I think you may want to give them a bath before you let them play with him! I have found some new amigos and they have taken me in as one of their own, I feel very comfortable here but still miss hearing the ball bounce....the only ball bouncing here is a soccer ball! Mom, the women are so beautiful here, I think I am going to stay here and get married. Adios-DTW

I Made It!!!!!!

Wow.....this is crazy. First off, I am still alive! I have found a computer at one of Enelio´s friends house but I have yet to get it to read my pictures....so for know I hope this will do. I already have some amazing pictures and about a million stories. The house I am using the computer is named Armando he is also the person that picked us up from the airport. Last night I was able to meet Enelio´s Brother Chucho as well as his mother. Soon after Enelio took me out to meet the rest of his town, these are some of the nicest people that I have ever been around...and lets just say they truely know how to celebrate a holiday. I just came in to use this computer and have a full table of drinks and food in front of me....and the food (mostly meat) is great, hopefully I dont get any diseases! Today we had a cookout with about 20 of Enelio´s friends on the edge of the mountians and the sugar cane fields. I am having a difficult time operating a computer and communicating in a language that I have never learned.......if I would have only taken Spanish. The hard bed, cold shower, and outdoor restrooms are taking some adjustments....who would have ever thought you would have to fight off chicken when takeing a shower! I believe we have a full night planned ahead and I think we are going to ride bikes in the mountians tomorrow....I hope I can get some pictures loaded soon. Hope all is well back home....it was pushing high 80´s today and I have offically gotten used to sweating non stop. Until next time friends......adios amigos!

Colombia Trip Itinerary

12/24
8:20 Nashville
1:45 Houston
8:16 Panama
9:48 PM Arrive in Cali, Colombia

01/02
8:59 AM Leave Cali, Colombia
3:02 Panama
7:40 Houston
9:42 PM Arrive in Nashville, TN

Party Right Productions, LLC

The long awaited new inflatable business is up and running. Party Right Inflatables had it's first outing this past weekend at United Talent. Party Right Productions, Provides inflatable jumping machines for birthdays, celebrations, and promotions. We also provide facilities to host parties. To find out more information you can visit www.partyrightproductions.com or email me at daniel@partyrightproductions.com !

My bags are packed!!

Enelio came over tonight and we got all of the bags packed for the trip. I some how managed to get all of my clothes for the 10 days in a backpack. We will be taking four 50 pound bags along with us, packed full of gifts for the folks down in Colombia. It looks as if we will be leaving around midnight on Tuesday Night and headed for Nashville. Enelio tells me I will be able to have some internet access in some of the cities that we visit, so stay tuned for some posts! I decided to do something I could remember just incase I am taken hostage for a couple of years...so I will be going to the UK game tomorrow night! Hope all is well, if I dont get to post before hand I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas! Take Care-DTW

I have finally settled on my Christmas Photo for 2008 and have posted it above.......the picture was one of many taken at a recent Tacky Christmas Sweater Party held at the house over in the 'Wood. I have had to celebrate Christmas a little early with my family and friends because I will be headed out on the night of the 23rd for good ol' Colombia. I have decided to pack everything I will need for my eight day stay in my back pack to free up room for goods we will be taking in our checked baggage.....I have to say I probably wont be smelling the best on my first trip into South America :) I have also just found out this week that my insurance declined my request to get my vaccinations covered so I will be going down...unvaccinated, much to the dismay of my mother :) I hope to post daily while in Colombia if not every other day with pictures and entries from my time in the country with the highest homicide rate in the world! Take Care-DTW

Colombia Bound!!!

Just confirmed this weekend, I'll be headed to Colombia, South America for the Christmas and New Year Holiday to visit the family of one of my bestest buds Enelio. Leaving on December 24th out of Nashville, Nashville to Texas, Texas to Panama, Panama to Cali Colombia.

It looks as if this could be the prime time in this "department" of Valle del Cauca, the yearly salsa festival is going to be held while we are there.

Being a history buff I have been looking into the history of Colombia and have found that Colombia was once a Spanish Colony and they now have a government much like we do except they call it a representative democratic republic...read up more about Columbia on the link to the right!

While excited...and a little nervous I must first overcome my fear of needles as I have to get a number of vaccinations :( No pain no gain!

...I was running.....

The family before the mini marathon...they were thrilled.....

After reaching a peak of 220 lbs, I decided last February that I was going to do a triathlon, then I remembered I couldn't swim. I completed a triathlon. Then I decided that wasn't my cup of tea (most in part to big hiney hill in Mason County), so I have began running. I starting with a 3K, did a bunch of 5k's, and also did a 10K......I then set my sights on finishing a mini marathon under 2 hours.....I am proud to say, that goal has been accomplished :) My next mission....a full marathon under 4 hours. If I can do it...anyone can, the hardest part is starting.......now I'm simply living the dream :)