We traveled to Cavenas on Wednesday afternoon and are going back to Monteria tomorrow (Saturday) to stay another week or more at Hotel Sinu. The taxi brought us here and I pray for our safety every time we enter one here because there are usually no seat belts in the back seat and we have to hold Samuel, and like we’ve mentioned before the drivers are very aggressive and crazy here. The roads are not very good and I saw a couple on a motorcycle with a little baby in Lorica, where Samuel lived with his foster parents (you wouldn’t see that back home). On our way to Cavanos the police were stopping cars and while we were stopped a man nicely asked if his 13 year old daughter could ride with us because the police would not let him take her on his motorcycle. She was very sweet and grateful to get a ride, it was crowded in the back with Jeff, me, Samuel and the girl but we were happy to help out. I’m also glad we had a nice taxi driver.
It is pretty here in Cavenas, but it does not have the same luxuries as we are used to (hot water, convenience store, internet access in the room, we have to go outside to the front gate to use the internet and it’s very slow). Since the water is not very good we have to buy bottled water to drink and brush our teeth, it’s the same in Monteria. We take for granted things like clean water, hot water and washer and dryers at home. Although we are very isolated here, we did manage to go for a walk and find a nice restaurant, so we have had nice dinners the past two nights. The palm trees and beach are definitely a nice change of scenery. Samuel loves the pool, although he is a handful for Jeff because he is a two year old that is a little too brave in the water. We went to a town close by called Tolu and visited some shops and had brunch, I suspect the brunch has me not feeling so well today. Jeff and Gary are handling the food here better than myself. We bought some bracelets from a nice man that spoke some English and then a couple little boys came and I bought a bracelet from them too (I couldn’t say no to little kids;). There are no “real” taxis in Tolu, so some men Gerry asked said yes we can get you one and they got a man with a little blue car “taxi”, fortunately he knew where the hotel was and got us back safely. My brother said that is common here, but I was a little worried to be honest.
It’s been a nice experience to visit Cavenas, Tolu and Monteria, but it will be nice to get back to Bogota especially since that will mean we will be coming home soon! In case you didn’t notice I’m getting a little homesick, actually a lot homesick, and of course we really miss the kids! It will be very exciting to bring Samuel home!
My brother is flying to Bogota tomorrow and home on Sunday, I think he misses Penny and the kids. I’m pretty sure they miss him too, he has been gone for about two weeks between staying in Colombia with us and staying at the orphanage in Venezuela.
Today we bought some souvenirs from some people selling on the beach. I’m having a hard time finding things for Dalton since it’s mainly pottery and bracelets they sell. I also gave my brother some Colombian pesos to bring home to give to the kids and I know they will enjoy that. Samuel is eating better and we are finding out more things he likes. He likes rice, cheese and a few things I can’t spellJ.
We drove through Lorica on our way to Cavenas and it made me realize what a better life Samuel will have growing up in the United States. He has been so happy hanging out in the hotel, so imagine how happy he will be in our home with his big brother and sister to play with. Jeff and I can’t get over how he has adjusted to us so easily and his uncle Gerry. (Not to mention missing his foster family, that seemed to love him, I think it’s by the grace of God he is not having a hard time being away from them.) I think he is starting to get used to us leaving briefly and coming right back, but when Jeff leaves sometimes he yells Papi Papi! He is Jeff’s little shadow and sometimes he cries for me when I leave, but I think he is beginning to understand we will be right back. We are getting him to talk some, today Jeff got him to say Hola Mami and he said it over and over, he also loves to wave when he sees you. His other favorite thing to do and say is wash my hands (in Spanish). He has gone potty several times like a big boy, so hopefully soon after we get home and I can work with him more to get him potty trained.
Our internet connection here is pretty slow, but I'll try to download atleast one picture and add a bunch tomorrow when we get to Hotel Sinu.
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