Skiing & Shopping

For someone used to very hot summers, snow skiing yesterday was quite strange. The whole family rented equipment and a van drove us and a bunch of other skiers up to El Colorado, one of the gentlest mountains in Colorado. The ride itself wasn't too gentle; the hairpin curves were numbered by signs (I think the last one I counted was 45.) Great day of skiing: amazing view of the city and the other mountains, and Molly already skis faster than either of her parents - and it was her very first time.

I've taken over the shopping, which is always an adventure when trying to conduct business in another language AND make the correct change. I screw up on a daily basis, but I'm getting better at speaking and understanding Spanish. I buy bread and wine on a daily basis (what else is there to live on?) and I'm amazed that more people don't reuse bags. I brought my Central Market and Jimmy's Food Store bags from home and the cashiers are always shocked I supply my own.

Detail #1: The fire department here is run strictly by volunteers, and all of the fire trucks are imported! Just this week, we've seen trucks from Germany, England and the USA. It's always interesting to listen to the different sirens.

Detail #2: The cab drivers here are very particular about their money. Some won't take "old bills" and others won't take bills without serial numbers. Every time we have taken a cab there has been a problem with payment; we haven't quite figured this out yet.