More of our Colombia adventure

It is now Dec 14th we have been in Colombia for a month and a half, time flies. We have had roommates come and go at our "Flat" including our paranoid schizophrenic. We have volunteered at the Angels of Medellin foundation and with the help of many of our friends, family and followers were able to raise $500 to make this Christmas a happy one for these poor children. Volunteering is always a highlight of our travels and we encourage all to give it shot as you will feel better about you! I (Dave) was able go para-gliding again, which is always amazing. However this was a first for landing at the same place we took off. Our take off was at 8,000 feet we then spiraled up to 10,000, so I would have lots of altitude before taking control. I was able to "drive" for twenty minutes which was also a first and was really KOOL. I talked my friend Dennis into trying para-gliding which he agreed to after telling me he was afraid of heights! He valiantly jumped off the cliff and said he had a good time until they had to spiral up which gave him motion sickness. I told him at least now he had bragging rights. We had a great time with our friends from Panama, Dennis and Rona. Strange as it seems we have now seen four people we've meet on our previous travels (Quatemala, Honduras and Panama), here in Medellin, unplanned. We have become adapt at using Medellins subway and cable gondola system, which is a very progressive plan that allows the poor in the north to make it to work in prosperous south. We attended the parade for the Dia de la Vialetas (Day of the little candles), which celebrates the Immaculate Conception. The parade was very strange, it seemed more along the lines of Mari Gras and had many images of death, monsters and no Christmas stuff. We asked about this, we were told that the theme is Myths and Legends, that explained a lot. Also we checked out the famous Christmas lights of Medellin, 31 million lights and none with a traditional Christmas theme? There was a Santa though. The light s were pretty amazing and we enjoyed the festive crowd. At one point there was a parading circus troupe moving through the crowd doing acts, interesting stuff. We went to the famous Botoro exhibits of fat statues and painting? The museum was great with lots of art portraying the period of violelencia (period of violence) and many other great Colombian art and history. yesterday we spent the day checking out the castle of Medellin. Built in 1930 by a rich Colombian who died nine months after it was completed. It was a Spanish design of European influence, pretty KOOL. We have tasted many foods of Colombia to include there main staple the "Arape" (a thick tortilla fried til crisp topped with cheese, beans, shrimp, beef or chicken, similar to the thick tortilla in Guatemala but crisper and with the toppings. Before we leave in two weeks I hope to para-glide one more time and we plan a trip up to a Colombian "must see" town of Guatape. We will fly out of Colombia to Cuenca Ecuador on the 31st. Stay tuned for more Chrysalis Adventures and be sure to check out all the pictures in the gallery.