Day 27: A Suprise Journey to a Gorgeous Mountain Home

Sunday, October 28th

Cali- stayed with Esperanza- Day 2

Dear Obiwan,

Obi the next day was a beautiful surprise. But it started off very rushed! I went to bed around 10ish and I did not set an alarm since I had no plans for the next day. My thought was to sleep in and then explore Cali. However, I woke up around 8am and walked downstairs feeling well rested and ready for the day. But to my dismay Esperanza greeted me looking worried and told me I had to hurry! I asked why and she said because we were leaving and someone was coming now and I had to hurry (this is what I got from my beginner Spanish skills).

She then told me to sit and she would make me breakfast. I groggily did not understand anything that was happening. She then made me an arepa on a hot pan and asked- SO I THOUGHT- if I wanted an arepa or bread, so I said bread, then she made me 2 pieces of toast AND the arepa. And then she made me friend eggs, which…I actually have never had before Obi, I’ve only had scrambled eggs and hard boiled. I never had the kind where it’s white on the outside and orange in the middle, picky me just never tried it.

But, it all happened so fast. AND Obi, you know me, I am NOT HUNGRY when I wake up, I need 30 minutes to about an hour to get hungry. But, there I was, 2 pieces of toast, an arepa filled of cheese, and two fried eggs and Esperanza looking at me sweetly but earnestly to HURRY UP for- WHAT I DON’T KNOW?! And, I could truly only eat one piece of toast and the eggs. But, she made it for me! And was looking at me! So I ate it all, and was quite confident I would throw it up very soon.

Then her husband (Neyl) came! He was so nice and warm and friendly. I was told to bring a bathing suite and to get in the car, to go, to Restrepo. No idea if that was a place or a swimming facility or a beach.

But eventually with my AWFUL Spanish I finally understood, we were going to their second home in a town called Restrepo, that is 1 hour and 30 minutes away. It was a gorgeous drive and they would tell me when we were driving past plantain farms or banana farms and sometimes…I forget one other food. But so many plantains! Endless farms! And then at times they would talk together in quick Spanish that I just gave up on trying to understand and they would laugh and laugh and talk and talk and I felt, I felt so at home Obi! It felt like when I would go on family vacations with my parents in the front and me and my brother in the back. I felt safe and loved and it was wonderful.

We finally reached Restrepo and I don’t even have the words…I still feel speechless about how beautiful this home was. You drive up this beautiful drive way to a vibrant green yard that was so well groomed I think someone had to had JUST mowed the lawn?! And the HOUSE was unbelievable. Had this beautiful open set up with a fricken- courtyard in the middle with the sun shining through! And there were two people there helping cook and helping with everything who were so nice. Esperanza immediately started to cook and I asked if she needed help and she told me no and to go enjoy their pool and to relax.

Here are some photos of their beautiful home:

So then I listened and laid by the pool. Since I didn’t know this was happening I didn’t have any books or anything to do but it didn’t matter. I relaxed! Then we ate. And they had SO MUCH FOOD. It was wild. They grilled meat and had vegetables and things I don’t know any of the names of.

But then, well Obi, I burnt my mouth off. I have been falling in love with SPICEY food, since I have began trying food over the last few years (especially the last year!). And Neyl had some of his own hot sauce. So I asked for some and at first I put the tiniest drop on the meat, and I loved it! So then I asked for more and put it ALL OVER the meat. Then I continued eating normally and just DIED. I couldn’t’ stop coughing Obi! My mouth and throat were on fire and Neyl gave me juice to drink and as I was drinking the juice Esperanza wiped off the hot sauce from and shook her head.

Oh I also had a tour of their amazing yard and ANIMALS including dogs, bunnies, roosters, chickens, and talking parrots! Oh side note Obiwan, in case you want to kill these birds I understand, the one who walked on me bit me a bunch! Oh make sure to watch the video, this parrot has the best laugh!!!: