87 With Heart And Kidney Failure

Dominica in kindergarten:)

gladly trade opisałabym male - female, because in this "field" I see a lot of cultural differences. But for now, the scandal did not need, so I hang on the ledge;)

February was marked by rain, szałowych kaloszków - in San Francisco there is an interesting fashion rubber boots, rain and the girls just jump in colorful kaloszki:) and intensive work with dogs of different and of different breeds century.

I can not finish a post that I started to write more than a week ago. Post relates to Mitch, my fabulous dog, which rehabilitated and trained under the apprenticeship. Mitch's story to be published in a newspaper, but still we lack the end, that is the American ideal adoptive family and the Polish ideal of the owner. And I think that is what prevents me from publishing this post. "Vacancy" takes place, so I hope that Mitchie soon move to their new home.


In February, the practice took place in a kindergarten for puppies up to 6 m-ca life.
owners from graduates of the Academy are also very happy to have agreed to the experimental training. Puppies are received by employees from their homes between kindergarten hours. 10 and 12, usually 3 people objeżdżają San Francisco. Ok. hours. 12 all are in place and puppies divided into 4 groups begin a two-hour Harc. It sounds innocent, almost sweet, playing with puppies, what a delightful sight. Faces of angels, the souls of devils:)
Working at top speed, because the puppy still gets into some fights, fights, discussions, it is afraid, that pleased the victim and constantly attacking the same dog, different does not allow other dogs to the bowl with water, etc.. Clearly umaszczone puppies are still smeared with blood, because in the play are lost mleczaki:) The first day I left with a headache, which I really rarely happens.
But the place is phenomenal, it's hard to imagine a better socialization in this super important for a dog run. All coaches send their puppies to the nursery (the only such specialized facility in SF). Sometimes the children are invited in the educational programs for schools and train puppies, and by the way everyone uses a lot of fun and great. Children learn how to deal with dogs, which allowed and what is not allowed to do. It is also an excellent therapy for those children who are afraid of dogs. And puppies are getting familiar with the children, some are raised in homes without children, and thus complement your dog's education.
training with a single puppy does not differ so much from the training (eg learning commands) with an adult dog. But training a puppy is surrounded by 15 other puppies, this is already a challenge. The main emphasis is put on the dog manners with other dogs, a nice welcome, nice fun without such jerks behind the ear or catching the teeth by the scruff of the neck and another attempt to drag the dog across the room.
not tolerate too selfish behavior, that is, guarding toys, people, a bowl of water, another dog. As part of the puppy classes at night or during weekends to different schools where they learn commands (sit / stand / lie down, leave it), coming on command, etc.., Here is practicing with them on the occasion of fun.
working with the puppies, watching their different styles of play, conduct, you can learn a lot about body language of dogs, which helps a lot when working with adult dogs.
In my case, working with a group of puppies was a prelude to a further stage experience - working with a group of dogs (dogs 8 -10) on the outside. From Thursday accompany Natalie, who has a fairly large company dealing with Exit dogs. On Thursday, it came back with a headache:) Occupation
so much harder, that we are dealing with adult dogs. The first challenge is a complete tour of all the houses and collect all the passengers, so that when the opportunity to pick up a new dog did not escape us different. Puppies are traveling in conveyances, adult dogs loose. And we're in the U.S., we are talking about traveling in vans and truckach.
Some dogs traveling from the front (ie on the seat behind the driver), because antagonize the rest, still barking, etc.. Natalie takes her dogs to Fort Funston. A huge area - the park over the ocean, a very popular place among the dog walkers (people known to Exit dogs). Beautiful park and great views. And hundreds of dogs. Here, I found out that it is sometimes difficult to use positive methods and penalties consisting of a short retreat (called time out) when you are under the care of 10 dogs, one is in the open air, surrounded by plenty of dog walkers with similar numbers groups. Dogs without a leash, some of these "tumor seeking" new dogs and usually have pinned leash to have more control over them in the event of bad behavior or willfully depart from the group. After 1.5 hours the dogs are rushing, tired and happy. And we together with them:)

Age Empires Full Version

Country Shakira

The hostel was cold, I slept in 3 shirts and under four blankets, but for how killed before I was awakened at 8 am at the window ujadające dogs. Another trip into the tropical forest, this time with Hector, we have even a little bit astray:) On the evening were scheduled dances - salsa, samba merengue and bachata with friends Milton, with whom in the meantime we managed to befriend. Milton is studying tourism and real name is Jeronimo. Comes from the rich and famous family. After moving to Bogota parents three years ago, for reasons of safety (kidnapping for ransom), changed the name. Not exactly a security guarantee, but so far Milton aka Jeronimo was not kidnapped. On the other hand, since taking the Uribe government has been done to improve the safety and reputation of the country, as we have seen ourselves.

night passed us on the dance the national trunkach: aguardiente and rum. Mastered the basics of salsa monthly rate in Poland a few years ago. But apart from a few trips to Latin clubs in SF, not salsa dancing. That night, under the tutelage of Milton colleagues who salsa suckle from their mother's milk, probably skipped a few levels:) We danced to four in the morning, waking up the next day was not the easiest. But somehow we managed to collect, Jon is true for over an hour (sic) was packing his backpack, and eventually he was ready and we went on tour - take a taxi to the bus station. I had the impression that half the station knew where we were going, disputes crowd beadle us to the proper position. Next stop is Montenegro, and then the Cana Brava Finca recommended by a friend of Roberta. Fink, a villa with garden, in the case of Zona Cafetera located among the plantations of coffee, bananas, lemons, etc..
We enjoyed the bus ticket price from $ 2.5, just forget that buses are divided into these fast-moving roads and expressways, and these man-killing everyone you encounter. We randomly chose the second option, so the journey we are stretched. Jon had motion sickness, probably more due to the infused amount of alcohol in themselves than the winding mountain roads and fast driving. But that Jon realized that we are in Montenegro, once we left him almost:) Continuation was funny. On the square, probably Simon de Bolivar, jeeps were parked. It would seem that up already filled with people, mainly students, but still somehow was a place, inside or outside, and the tube to catch up for the next passenger. Several people have helped us locate the proper jeep, then helped guide the self-proclaimed We do this within 15 minutes shopping at 3 stores komenderując sklepowymi ladies, paving the way for us and urging retailers. Lack of fluency in English somehow did not prevent the agreement are:) Driving a jeep standing with piętnaściorgiem children by plantations of coffee, bananas, lemons was fabulous. He was a warm evening, the wind blowing our hair, the air was the smell of summer, it was one of the coolest moments of this trip. It was fortunate that our finca was almost at the end of the route, more than half an hour incredible fun. On the spot, it turned out that Mr. staying home Bogota has forgotten to tell the people working on the holding of our arrival, but since we were friends the owners dealt with us very carefully. The night was very warm, we ate dinner at the court among the parrots and exotic vegetation. In the bathroom there were no windows (scheduled), but a lot of spiders and something that resembled the appearance of a large cockroaches. Whatever it was, did not discourage me to sleep with the door open, I felt pity to leave the concert of frogs and crickets ...
morning, of course, a jeep, drove to the Parque Nacional del Cafe, proud Colombians. Park is a thematic-entertainment in all worth seeing, although knowledge of English is very desirable, because there is no translation into English. At night we had one more trip to the Cana Brava jeep, and from there we went to Salento, a charming little town with buildings typical of the region, the so-called. pueblo paisa, where time has stood still, somewhat artificially, I think. The hotel, which had pushed prices to stay very, fortunately, traditionally, you have instructed us to lower cost neighbor. In Salento the first time since leaving Bogota saw "a white man speaking in English" :) It sounds funny, but by the fact that not slept in hostels, backpackers accommodation and traditional site, which travelers usually a few - several months with backpacks around the world, we have not heard anyone in the Am. Northern Australia / New Zealand, South Africa or Europe. The last point is the Cocor Valley, a combination of Switzerland, with touches of equatorial climate. Here grow tall and slender palm wax, reportedly one of a kind view of the world. The beautiful park, it was worth getting up at dawn to see them.
When we got back to town (by jeep, and how), przecieraliśmy eyes in amazement. The scenery is the same, only the actors came on stage. All the shutters were open, full of shops, stalls of crafts, art products, coffee, etc.. Well, we did not have too much time because there was plenty to choose from:)
When we arrived at the airport, slightly frightened us to have a crowd waiting for the briefing. Fortunately, it turned out that Colombians discharging their families of their loved ones, per passenger accounted for three adults and five children:)
Flight to Bogota (from Pereira) lasted 25 minutes, the plane looked like he just got out of the factory. Avianca, the memorable LAN flight from New York to Toronto, was my next favorite airline in South America.
paszportowo and customs clearance in Bogota is another story, well, that our plane was quite empty, and the season was late, so the traffic at the airport a little, but it took a whole 3 h at 20 airports odprawiających employees about 60 people. A few conversations, random, very detailed checking of luggage + another chat, a few hand baggage - 2 times the machine, a man once, 5 times checked my passport. I remember different times of border controls before the European Union, as well as series of reports dedicated to Mr. Edward Miszczak Poles residing in prisons in Latin America for the attempted smuggling of drugs, so it was not for me until such a surprise, but the Americans did not come out in amazement.

Colombia is the most beautiful country in which I was and am hungry for more. Insufficiency due to lack of time to see other parts of Colombia and the lack of knowledge of English. Inspired by the friends decided to go for a few - a few weeks to a country of Central America or South America for an intensive course of English and salsa or tango. Tango and Argentina gave me a few days Eve evening from New York, which also has a similar plan:) I thought about Cuba before things will change there, but .... for now I'm in San Francisco, which is consistently fantastic.


points at the end of this, which surprised me:

a) Sales of mobile minutes. Minutes are sold everywhere: on the street, in shops, taxis, even in the most forgotten places of the country. People who do not have enough minutes to have a subscription taken out by them, they buy minutes from people who somehow acquire mobile subscription is designed for companies, ie having 1000, 2000 and more minutes.
b) is the national flower of orchid.
c) On Sunday, 120 km of streets of Bogota is converted into bicycle paths. In addition, Bogota has a very extensive network of bicycle paths.
d) The air in Bogota is very polluted.
e) replacing the money exchange office or bank for every transaction should leave the imprint of the index finger and give the details, you need a passport.
f) The existence of social groups (estratos). In Colombia, there are seven groups, from 0 estratos covering part of the population, living in extreme hunger and poverty, the estrato 6 - the cream of the Colombian population, living in beautiful mansions, in a safe and clean neighborhoods, among the exotic vegetation. Estratos fix the prices of water, gas, electricity and telephone.
g) In the restaurants and bars are non-smoking.
h) the motorcyclist is mandatory reflective vest with a visible registration number, number is also on the helmet (back)
i) Colombians in caring for your teeth match the Americans.
j) than the population in Colombia are unknown concept, hordes of children at every step.
k) boots are very popular profession.

Do Union Corectors Work ?

El Dorado

This post started writing at the airport in Bogota, so he began as follows ....

I sit at the airport in Bogota, tired but very happy. Colombia is the most beautiful country which I visited. Paradise on earth. The decision to vacation in Colombia, made my week by the departure. The main reason is the need to re-enter this into the U.S., has just passed 6 months of my stay in the United States. Ideas on where and how to cross the border I had plenty, ranging from several hours to go to Mexico (the famous border crossing in San Diego / Tijuana) after a trip to Canada Ski and thereby fulfill my dream-of skiing on the slopes of Whistler. In 2010. there will be some competition played at the Winter Olympic Games.

Colombia was such a dormant dream that zakiełkowało when Robert - known at last year's holiday in Sri Lanka, invited me to her. Robert works for the International Red Cross, is an important persona in the Colombian Red Cross mission. According to a guide for travelers Lonely Planet Colombia a few years ago was one of the top most dangerous countries in the world. Drug gangs, paramilitary organizations (Such as the FARC, AUC), occupying part of the country, kidnapping, domestic and foreign tourists, it's all meant that Columbia is still considered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Member for the country at high risk.
Together with me on the expedition went to Jon, an American, whom I met on meetupie travelers. Jon chose at the end of January to Cartagena, the most tourist part of the Colombian Caribbean, and decided to extend the itinerary of Bogota and his wife Cafeterę, the place where I planned to go.
Unlike me, quite unconscious potential hazards, Jon was so well informed about the lurking at us every step of the dangers that sometimes wondered why he chose Columbia?
I have studied only in the plane Lonely Planet (owned by Jon). Of course, I have heard about the abduction and Ingrid Betancourt, Colombia, but my vision radically different from the vision of Jon. Sometimes ignorance is beneficial, perhaps if I had knowledge that he had Jon
(and very typical of Americans, obsessive - compulsive disorder), I'm not sure if zdecydowałabym at Columbia, losing thus very much, because it's a wonderful country. Besides, the place was Robert, who on behalf of the Red Cross talks with the FARC and other paramilitary organizations - an ideal source of reliable information and my guarantee of safety. Just as in hospitals is better to avoid conversations with patients, so called. "Horrorków hospital," so it is good to have a distance to good advice travelers who have never in Colombia were not.
Jon found his family a special password in the event of a kidnapping ring every day (at least initially), send an email with the information where it is etc.. On the wave of 'paranoia' I also sent two e-mails the parents, except for the first time in my life (during the holidays):)

my brief holiday included 8 full days, not enough for this amazing country, but I'm impressed with how much we have to see.
flew to Bogota at 5 am (connecting flight in Houston, a total of 9 h in air). At the airport information desk functions, in which, after entering the address, receives a printout of the price of the taxi. Fantastic solution for the still frightened tourists. Following the recommendations of the guide have blocked all the doors of the taxi including the driver's door. In Colombia and other Latin American countries there is called. drive a millionaire. For taxi rides up, mostly at traffic lights, and armed with uninvited guests, and ordering course trace ATMs. Sponsor of the trip is of course right passenger. At the end of the stay is not enough that they do not blokowaliśmy doors were often open all the windows:) In Colombia, it is very logical system of street signs - the division of Carreras and perpendicular to them, Calles, except that they are Avenidas, which sometimes overlap with Calle, sometimes the Carrera. And that address of the apartment Roberta Carrera 4, No. 1970-1968, indicates that the house is the Carrera 4, nearest Cross Street to Calle 70 and the house is situated 68 meters from the block. It's that simple? Robert welcomed us with a delicious breakfast .... And Italian coffee. Colombia is the world's second largest coffee producer, but the art of smoking and coffee have not mastered. Pervasive Tinto tastes like coffee in the sub-przydworcowym bar:)
first day we spent talking, visiting the Bogota, in providing (Jon) by Roberta, Colombia is a safe country:) Bogota has 7 million inhabitants. The town is situated at an altitude of 2650 meters above sea level, after a night on the plane breath we broke off a little bit, we walked around this charming Candelaria, then the hill Monserrate. A large part of Bogota neighborhoods are poor and very poor, some thing a la favelas in Rio de Janeiro. Red Cross officials - the mission has a total of more than 50 foreigners, which is pretty good, they have only been two weeks driving ban lifted Transmilenio public buses (provided that they do not choose a dangerous regions, which include the districts situated to the south. Bogota .) On the way back we decided on a collective madness, and drove a bus Transmilenio. Robert for the first time in my life:) To be precise Transmilenio is no space bus. Certainly no dedicated lanes, bus stops resemble appearance of small terminals, and the buses are modern, but the main strength of these buses are safe. On the night life in the Zona Rosa had not enough strength already:)
The next day we went to a village near Bogota - Zipaquira, to explore the town and the main attraction - the underground salt cathedral. Our guide tried to speak very slowly and clearly in English, but it ended up on the translation by Roberta. Knowledge of English is in Colombia and other South American countries need. I do not know English, but fortunately my friends Italian is very useful to us. Jon advertised as speaking bad English, travels frequently to Central America, learning English for 2 years, it sounded promising. The money came out that, unfortunately, Jon's English is not his strongest point, not to say the Achilles' heel. On the plus side he must include the steadfastness with which it is trying to converse. Nice was one of us a couple, not knowing the language I understand more, so I was translating, and our ears, Jon was our spokesperson. Sometimes successfully, sometimes turned out Language that his efforts brought a completely different result.

When a few good years ago, traveled to Turkey for a month, a magical spell that causes a smile on his face, and opening many doors, was a Roman Kosecki, Galatasaray. In Colombia, soccer is power but no Pole played / did not play. Robert, even though he is Italian and loves football, not familiar with the local football stars. Pope John Paul II has remained as a reference point, but I heard some Colombians Juan Pablo II, said: Roma? The undisputed authority over the divisions is Simon Bolivar, the hero of the liberation of South America from the dominion of the Spaniards, I think everyone's main square in this country is called the Plaza de Bolivar. Indeed, Simon is a spell check:)

We managed to find cheap flights to Pereira, one of the three capitals of the so-called. Zona Cafetera, the land of coffee. 30 minutes by plane instead of 8 hours by bus. The bus is the primary means of transportation in Colombia. There are different types, from air-conditioned express-killing all the clunkers off the road a willing passenger. Pereira is a beautiful city, and besides, none of the three cities (Armenia, Pereira, Manizales) do not admire, were all badly damaged in a number of earthquakes.
According to our guide Milton Pereira is frequently visited by foreign tourists, but it seems to us that a slightly different scale of measure numbers of tourists. Our presence was definitely an event is very low compared to wyróżnialiśmy Colombians with a dark complexion. On the streets of crowds, all trading in all, some stores, shops and stalls, a large proportion of sidewalks. Poring through the crowd with their luggage is a challenge. I packed up borrowed from a friend of Jon's bag on wheels, which was also very uncomfortable backpack. And although by Jon almost had committed a crime, the baggage behind you, who took exception dirt roads. It was more dangerous, sometimes necessary due to obstructed the sidewalk, walking down the street because of the risk deduction. Colombians and the rules of the road may be familiar, but rarely follow, often confuse the road obstacle course. In addition, the city is monitored on the streets he sees a lot of police and army.
hotel recommended by Lonely Plant disbanded, we decided go to the Chamber of Tourism. It turned out that the Board, in turn, changed the seat since the publication of our guide, we got a new address and with the cooperation of the natives in charge of us, more or less in the same direction, we arrived at the address indicated. Jon, of course, helps us to suspect any person of wicked intentions:)
We were not quite sure whether we're in the right place, because there was no number plate with a building or signboard.

When we were filming at the place we went to the Aura, in principle, should write that the heavens zesłały us an angel in the form of the Aura. It turned out that we shared blocks away from a prohibited area for tourists, especially the so-laden as we are. Aura house was a tourist, really well hidden from the world, and was our translator. In general, the meeting ended with an air of happy ending for both sides, so well acquitted itself as a translator and assistant, and so few people know English in Pereira that at the end of the conversation was offered a job as a translator:)

People in Colombia are extremely friendly, not impudent, not offended when you do not choose their restaurant, a bus line. What's more, we often happened that a friend recommended us, pointing the way to another bus, were led to the neighbor, etc.., A great feature.
My blond hair, blue eyes and my height, it's all aroused interest, but never once met with the insistence on the part of Colombian men. Very politely asked after several minutes of conversation, often through an interpreter, if I have a boyfriend:) Robert, pretty long-haired blonde, told me that during the talks with the leaders of paramilitary groups is almost always asked if there is no boyfriend. It happened to her also, if the answer yes, that undaunted "soldier", he asked, "but if you have a Colombian boyfriend?":) Always ready to service:)

In the information point no one spoke English, but fortunately we all take charge of an angel, we got the address of the trusted hotel ( special price:)). Aura verified our plans in terms of their success and feasibility, we found that our plan trips to the park was heavily Ucumari underdeveloped, lacked an essential element - a guide. In total, should know that the jungle is selected from the guide, but used to being labeled routes and trails quite thought about it. Our guide, dwudziestoparolatek Milton came within 5 minutes. Very nice. We said goodbye to all employees, While leaving we were given gifts - 3 folders and business card advertising director telling you that we can always call when we need.
2-3 star hotel. There was a chapel, is reportedly standard, and a lot of bars, a standard:)
the evening we went for a rum and Coke. The hotel was located close to the Plaza de Bolivar, which is at the center, crowded during the day the streets after nightfall were empty. At the crossroads each street has become a soldier. Safe, but this indicates how it is still dangerous. Soldiers after hours. 21 disappear from the streets. According to Milton to move the safe part of town is fairly safe to midnight, then the city becomes a jungle ....
The bar was treated us with honor, the whole operation was longer for us, we got a bucket of peanuts almost free, amazing is the attitude to tourists.
next two days is a trip to the park Ucumari and accommodation in La Pastora. A very nearly did not come to the dressing effect due to fighting with backpacks Jon, is the art of packing its many secrets:) Jon has always wanted to go earlier by plane, bus, jeep, etc.. than is reasonably justified, and then barely converges, or is going nowhere at the last possible hour. Fortunately, this time it worked:)
To get to the first shelter we had to get to El Cedral (2h) called. Chiva, a traditional means of transport, colorful, with no windows and doors of the bus. A big impression. The bus had to leave the chair. 9, paragraph 9 of the driver fired the engine. When this type of bus in South America, known for its lack of punctuality were expecting at least 15 minutes delayed. Do not know if we had such incredible luck, or Colombians crossed a metamorphosis, but the Swiss and Germans can learn from Colombians. Whether the plane, taxi, bus bus is, Chiva, jeep, horse, man has always started the journey on time. Coming to the bus stop at 14.01 meant watching the back of the departing bus (departure 14.00):)
Colombia is beautiful, lots of colors, the dominant color is green, extremely rich flora and fauna. When Milton suggested a trip to the roof of Chiva agreed right away. Wytrzęsło us for all time, podrapały our branches, but it was one of those amazing and unforgettable adventures worth any price:)
Throughout the stay we were accompanied by rain, it rained every day, sometimes briefly, sometimes for several hours, the higher were the more. Climbing took us about 3 hours, views, feelings, smells, colors, amazing, words can not give up ... .. In La Pastora lives a five-family, but us was Hector, a very nice biologist studying frogs.
The shelter has no electricity and hot water and no restaurant, dinner and breakfast we brought back:) We were introduced, to drink tinto, we got a solid rubber poncho and went into the jungle to watch the waterfalls. Jose, master of the house, paving the way for us with a machete. Night we spent at the fireplace and rum. Ah, what was the conversation:) It's a miracle that manipulating a modest vocabulary and grammar knowledge of zero (Jon) with me as a translator from English to Italian, then English, we managed to talk to. Cdn.