Souvenir Photo Studio, by Al Bourassa

Monday, March 9, 2026

Monday March 9, 2026 Almost..

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Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa

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Monday March 9, 2026

I finally reached vet John to confirm that we will leave Andalucia around 2am. The Avianca website says to be at the gate by 4am for the domestic leg to Bogota, so we should be good for time.

There was no email from Avianca or Air Canada about check-in, so I went to the AC website and they said the check-in would have to be done with Avianca.......... And, that went much easier than anticipated.

I am now checked in on all 3 flights and just need to drop off my luggage and go through security. Like the trip down here, I will only have my fanny pack to roam the airports. I was a bit shocked to remember that I will have a 5-hour layover in Montreal before catching a 5-hour flight to Edmonton, arriving just before midnight. I think I really need a good book.....

Cristina and I went shopping for last-minute items and for a nice lunch.

With the lake in the backyard, I should not have been surprised to see several dragonflies cruising for mosquitoes. Catching them in flight is almost impossible, but one kindly landed nearby for a photo-op. I kept these 4 pics out of 76...

We have a few items of construction and housekeeping to attend to before finalizing the packing, wrapping the suitcase in plastic wrap, and showering for the long travel day.

So glad we are not flying anywhere near the Middle east or even the USA.

The boredom of a long air voyage is not something I look forward to.

Hugs to everyone....

I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.

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If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

This the best I caught in flight...

This one posed for a bit.

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Sunday March 8, 2026 Prep Slowly

PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.

Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa

******

Sunday March 8, 2026

We awoke to a huge thunderstorm and a torrent of rain. For some reason, hopefully simply electrical wiring, the sump pump quit working.... So we again have lakefront property and have to keep the dogs on the patio and in the house, or else we are cleaning up mud all day long... The dogs are being really good and I walked 3 of them before rain re-started this afternoon.

I am slowly positioning things I brought to Colombia to be ready for the return. A couple of minor things are staying so I should have no worries about luggage weight.

Cristina surprisingly went out to vote today. Who, or what, they are voting for, I haven't a clue.... To me, ALL the politicians in Latin America only want to be in politics to line their own pockets. I have yet to be proven wrong...

I am watching some of the World Baseball Classic, some of the curling finals, Special Olympics, and more hockey.... Our Oilers play again tonight, but I have just about given up on them, they are playing so far below their capabilities it is totally frustrating.... I had better-trained PeeWee teams...!!!

Carlos & Franci invited us out for coffees, or whatever this afternoon but that is being delayed by the rain to maybe 7pm....

So, since I have to be packed up basically by midnight tomorrow, this will likely be my last Blog until I am back, and operating, in Edmonton.

There is so much to do on my return, so don't expect anything soon....

I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.

******

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

The birds are on dry ground

But we have lakefront again....

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Saturday March 7, 2026 Country Visit

PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.

Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa

******

Saturday March 7, 2026

Has it really been 42 years since our Dad left us??? And we still feel his presence every single day with his quiet strength and ingenuity.. ♥♥

Uncle Raimundo came by, as promised, on his electric moped, had lunch here, then we went west through Campo Alegre to El Salto together.

We stopped to see some cousins in Campo Alegre on the way who have a very large yard with many flowers... That was the main reason I went along, just for some photography. They had a large mastiff on a chain in the back yard, overly friendly for his size unfortunately. I hate to see a chained animal.

They also had a small cat that was a hunter, and he snatched a really colourful iguana that Cristina had to rescue and put in a tree across the road. That was probably the most outwardly colourful iguana I have ever seen.

Going through sugar cane country is always pretty and photogenic, and we caught some harvesting underway.

We continued on to El Salto to see a 90-year-old great aunt with perfect skin. She too has a huge yard full of plantains and fruit trees. We didn't stay long, because the bugs were voracious and seemed to really want my Canadian blood.... I was swatting away the whole time... This is two days in a row of visiting and uncomfortable heat and sweating..... In a way, I am looking forward to getting back to some cool temperatures where a person can control their comfort levels...

I managed finally to do my ArriveCan Declaration on my phone to ease entry back into Canada Tuesday afternoon.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.

******

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.