A day in 80-90 degree weather in the cafatere with the woman I'll marry the next day was just this side of heaven for me.
Maybe I have a different view of COlombia than many, but I love the country and the people, and I would have no qualms about living there. I speak fluent Spanish, and passable Paisa (if you don't know what Paisa is, then go to either Antiochia or Caldas, and try to understand the language-- it's a form of Spanish, yes. but... I'm from the Southern US, so I speak southern, and a thick southern accent is as difficult for a non-native english speaker as Paisa is for a Gringo like me:)
But again, time spent in Colombia is time added to the end of our lives, I think... it's refreshing and rejuvenating.
enough rambles... back to Manizales, to the decorated house, and to Mama, Tia, and Abuela waiting, with presents to open, etc. etc. We opened presents, and my thought was typical Gringo male: "HOw am I gonna pack all this stuff?" It was my job to bring everyhting back, since Luisa will need all the room she has (and a few boxes extra) to move here. But, after a wonderful day, I packed my wedding suit, my new white shirt (I forgot to mention, my shirt didn't pass inspection when I arrived. I was sent to buy a new one), my freshly-polished shoes, and went to her brother's apartment to spend the night. We stop at a restaurant where another friend and his wife treat us to a few pitchers of Sangria, before continuing on to his apartment where we talked until about 2 am.
Sunday, Nov 18-- The Day! I awake at 5:30, before sunrise. Nerves? no... a sore back.
I haven't mentioned it yet, but htis was my 4th different place to sleep and 4th bed in 4 nights, more on htis later.
We dress, pick up the other padrinos ( mutual friends of Luisa and I), and head for Chinchina. 9:00--I'm married!
more later
