Ok, still in Bogota and why the Blog photo you may ask! Well, I mean to mention this last time but forgot with all the diasters that were happening with the flat. Anyway it was really to point out the differences in packaging, I was somewhat bemused to find the following in left to right; Salsa/Italian sauce; Tomate sauce; mayonaisse; jam; sugar. Actually possibly quite a bit better than glass maybe, you can squeeze all the contents out, they are not breakable like glass and heck unless you are buying Ye Olde Worlde organic Father Teds Crab Apple Jam, do you really need to be able to see the ingredients. Hmm, food for thought (excuse the pun).

Anyway, to continue the food theme I had a novena at my flat, (basically nearly every night in Bogota you vist family or friends or invite people around (this evening we had 3 invites!)). So I managed to go shopping, even asking for a bit of stuff in spanish (grease proof paper was interesting) and even managed to get the wrong wine (white - which had to exchange). Stuff here is really not that cheap, better quality vegetables and fruit and meat, but pretty much what we would pay in the UK for stuff, or more in some cases. Anyway, managed to rope in lina's help and in two and a half hours whipped up Sesame seeded Bagels, Cheese straws, sultana scones, mulled wine and devils on horseback, apart from the bagels which I declined to give to the guests for fear of poisoning them (I confess to eating them myself and not suffering any undue after-effects), everything else turned out spot on, the mulled wine especially went down a treat, I think between 4 of us we went through the best part of 2 litres and that was after drinking during cooking (well its obligatory surely)! I think I did rise in approval ratings maybe ;)

Aside from that it has been a whirlwind of shopping, supermarket complexes are on a par with over here, except that for some reason they do not do discounts for damaged goods or have price matching. We found a great coat (one left) with the button fallen off and were spending in the region of £70 including other stuff. You would have thought having to repair the button they might have offered something but despite asking they were more than willing to send the jacket away for repair, risking complete sales loss. Anyway, all presents bought now, oh if you are ever here for christmas buy wrapping paper off the streets, its about 25% of the cost in the supermarket!!

Aside from having some time to join various internet groups which I have forgotten about in the last few years, time seems to be flying by. I am not greatly missing work although do feel out of touch as I cannot convince anyone to send me regular updates on what is happening in the office (although one person does happen to pass on regular comments - thanks =) )

Weather, well varying at the moment, normally sunny during the morning and overcast or raining at night. However the rain is not normally at this time of year so guess the global warming effects are being felt here too!

Have I done anything else exciting, no sorry, after christmas maybe when Novena's are out of the way and therte are some bank holidays in January. Take care and have a geat christmas to you all!!