Hotel Paris

Well, we are back in Bogota. Our flight went off without a hitch. There had been a concern that we would not be allowed to use the original ticket we had purchased for Yamile since it was purchased using her new name, and we are currently traveling with her before her name has been legally changed. They are extremely picky about such things here, and we were told we might have to buy a new ticket using her Colombian name. But our lawyer and our translator were both at the airport with us to advocate for us, and we had lots of documentation to show them, and they let us through. Yay!! Praise the Lord! That is one more complication we have been spared.

So, we have returned to Hotel Paris. What a blessing! There are lots of adoptive families here, many of whom are from the U.S. We spend time together, go walking together, and play with each other's kids. We also eat together in the family-style dining room where the food is always amazing. It really is quite a relief to be here again, as we were feeling pretty closed in by the time we left Neiva. There's only so many times you can visit the pool, or go for a walk when you have no idea how to get anywhere.

Today is Yamile's 10th birthday and the hotel owner, Katya, planned a party for her. They decorated, made an amazing chocolate cake, and all the families and workers joined in the singing and the fun. It was so special. Yamile gets very shy around new people, but she seemed to enjoy the celebration. The women who arranged the party are also very good at bringing these kids out of their shells. They did that very thing with Yamile and she was quite a little chatterbox by the end of it all. She also loves the little kids and babies that seem to be everywhere here. And they love her.

Tomorrow we plan to take a day trip to the Salt Cathedral. Apparently it is a church made entirely of salt. I intend to take lots of pictures so I can share them with you all.

So, it is time for me to say goodnight. We are all pretty tired. It's been a long day. Right now, we are split up between two rooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. Annalisa, Yamile and I are downstairs and Geof and Rebecca are upstairs. In a couple of days we will probably be able to move into a large room together. It is currently occupied by another family.

(I just had to include a photo of the iguana we found meandering down the sidewalk in Neiva.)

Buenas noches and blessings to you all!