us at EcoPetrol HQ

A picture of us at EcoPetrol HQ.  "Energy for the future"

the group

This is the BUEC 663 that travelled to Bucaramanga to visit EcoPetrol's ICP research centre

thank you

A big big thank you to our friends at the Unversidad de los Andes (Roberto, Alberto and Nestor) and at EcoPetrol (Freddy and Luis) for making this trip a most memorable one for myself and the students.  the visit opened our hearts and minds to the beauty of Bogota and to Colombia.  I myself will return again in the future.  Mucho Gusto.  Doug

Sample of the meals we enjoyed

Hi folks,

Can't resist putting this on the blog.

It was truly an exciting experience. Worth every cent and surely a place to visit for holidays in the near future.

Enjoy.

Deji

Julio Villarreal

we met professor Julio Villarreal on Wed where he gave a presentation/lecture on the electricity system in Colombia and their plan when there is a shortage of water.  63% of Colombia's electricity supply is generated by hydro so when there is a drop in water levels it affects the country's supply.  Professor Villareeal decribe the options market that has developed to ensure electricity flow during the times El Nino hits (like it is right now).

Professor Villarreal set up two presentations for us in the afternoon with ISA (electricity transporter) and XM (administrator of the electricity market).

Afterwards Professor Villarreal took us to dinner at  Aurnes (sp)?  It is a restaurant bar that has 8 floors and is a restarurant by day and disco by night.  They have people who are dressed up constantly walking the floors entertaining patrons.  Oh yeah - did you know it was Richard Dixon's birthday today?

A very big thank you to Professor Villarreal who was a great host and a very nice and interesting man.

hola cartegena

we were up nice and early on Thursday to go to Cartegena.  Cartegena is along the Caribbean coast and is a hot place.  We arrived in Cartegena to tour the refinery plant there.  It is one of 2 refining ports that EcoPetrol have.  The tour and presentation we received was excellent but again were blown away by the openness and hospitality they showed.  I didn't mention yet that in Cartegena was 32 degrees.  Our visit was done at 4 pm and off to our hotel we went.  in my head i had a long list of things to do.

#1 - cerveza
#2 - cerveza
#3 - cerveza
#4 - nap
#5 - cerveza

unfortunately, I didn't end up doing #4 until later in the evening.

Other than being hot and humid, Cartegena is an old colonial city.  We walked in the old city where there is a vibrant street market where you can by shoes, electrical items, food and souvenirs. Just walking the city gives you energy and excitement.  I'm coming back here again!  I am planning on being here longer than 20 hours next time.

time to go home

It's saturday morning and our last day in Bogota.  I'm currently waiting for "my guy" to get some stuff... Our friend Nestor is coming by the hotel today at 8:30 am with some authentic native bags for us to purchase.  I am looking forward to seeing them.

Had the most sleep i have had all week - 6 hours.  the local workday here is Bogota is from 6 or 7 am to 5 pm.  That is a long day but as i was told, they like to enjoy their day by socializing during the day.

Went up to Monserrate last night for dinner.  The Universidad de los Andes honored 25 engineers who graduated with their M.Sc in Industrial Engineering.  This was a group of engineers who came to Edmonton in the summer of 2008 for 2 weeks.  It was great to see them again.  great guys.  It was also very nice that we were invited to this very important dinner.