Nemecon

This past Friday my Dad and I got the opportunity to travel to a typical small town called Nemecon.  The trip was arranged by FANA as part of their 40th Anniversary celebration weekend.  My Mom and Michael stayed at the hotel due to it being an all day event.  I am so glad we went.  The countryside was breathtaking and I was able to see more due to being in a very high tour bus.

 They had a tour bus for 40 people but only seven of us went so it ended up being a very personal tour.   The other families that went consisted of two mothers and daughters both FANA adoptees like myself.  One daughter was adopted at 11, just a few years ago and the other was visiting for her first time after 18 years.  It was very meaningful to share the experience with them.  They were all from NY.  We also had a French gentleman who came for the celebration alone.  His wife and adopted (3yr old) daughter stayed in France.  He was very friendly and spoke all three languages (French, English, and Spanish) very well.  The highlight of the trip was the Salt Mines ( http://www.minadenemocon.com/sitionuevo/ ).

 It is still an active mine supplying 15% of the product it originally produced.  The mine was closed for seven years due to instability but recently reopened in 2003.  The trip down into the mine was about a mile and half and we had a tour guide the whole way.

 After the mine we walked down to the town Plaza where children were getting out of school.  In the center of the plaza was a Church which is very typical for Colombian towns.  It was so neat to be out of the city walking on the cobblestone roads and seeing what the Colombian countryside is all about.

On our way back we stopped at a local restaurant and had a very nice meal.  The decor of the restaurant was very unique and I was so glad they chose it for lunch.

Overall the day created amazing memories for me. I wasn't sure I would get to see this side of Colombia while staying in Bogota and I feel so blessed that I did.  Luv, Kristin