New Year's Day 2025

In spite of a late night on New Year's Eve, we were up early on New Year's Day ready for a fun outing. We traveled out from Bogota to Zipaquirá to visit a salt mine. 

 

outside the salt mine

 

 

The technical term is Catedral de Sal which translates to Salt Cathedral.

 

Entering the salt mine.  Overhead were lights that changed to show flags from many Latin American countries.  

 

 The mine is carved from 250,000 tons of salt and goes 190m underground.

 

a map of the mine

Cruz got a piece of salt for a souvenir.

 

We stopped for ice cream inside the mine and also did some shopping at the gift shops.

 

We enjoyed a Christmas themed light show.

 

a reflection pool 

 

some of the video I took while inside the mine

 

 

a family photo on New Year's Day outside the salt mine in Colombia

 

We stopped for lunch in town.  We enjoyed a delicious variety of meats.

 

Ben at the restaurant.

 

  

Next, as we made the drive back into Bogota, we stopped along the way for an afternoon hike to a lookout.  It was perfect weather to be outdoors, and I think everyone loved the fresh air and sunshine.

 

We saw many beautiful views along the way.

 

We also saw many beautiful flowers in bloom.

 

After walking for 1.5 hours, we arrived to our lookout destination only to find the gate locked.  We didn't waste the time though.  Instead, we spent some time singing praise songs and praying.  It was sweet!  At some point the owners noticed us there and came to open the gate and let us in. 

 

a few of us at the end of the hike

 

the ladies

 

 

almost to the lookout

 

 

Cruz and Evan playing around on the property

 

 

our group at the mirador (lookout)

 

 

views from the top

 

 

 

They opened their restaurant and served us coffee and hot lemon tea.  This was the sunset view as we drank and chatted.

 

another sunset view 

 

We made it down the mountain and back into Bogota that evening.  We were all tired but full of fun memories from a fabulous day together. 

We had two more days of meetings ahead before we flew back to Guatemala.  Overall, the week was fantastic.  We love the people we serve with on our indigenous leadership team! We look forward to a wonderful year ahead of leading and serving together.