So it turns out that we are both loved and needed, they miss us up there in the north and its time to visit - as the only grandson I am especially loved, plus there are boxes to move.
All joking aside, we have begun our travels officially with check-in at the El Dorado Airport, and are now waiting in line for a coffee so my beautiful bride doesn't get grumpy.
As always, the airport is the first stage of price shock, when moving from the wonderfully inexpensive periphery of the globe into the heart of the empire, its always been breathtaking just how much people 'value' living so close to the arms of power. I mean two dollars for a coffee? What are people thinking?
I'm used to 15 cents, 30 tops.
But coffee is important, and keeping my wife happy even more so. I doubt she is thinking about empire and overreach, or even relative pricing levels. She wants that sweet sweet caffeine boost.
I'm ahead of the game I guess because I snuck out early and had me a 30 cent street cuppa - 'pintado', or perico as they weirdly say in the capital.
Don't tell her though, she might get jealous.
At least this time, as opposed to last year, we don't have to put up with any weird or experimental medical requirements. We'll just fly our germs right up into Florida, pack some boxes then spend a few days driving cross country with cargo both ordinary and special.
We will be confronted with many differences, and while the relative prices tell us that the US must be somehow 'better', I'm not so sure, as this mornings $2 coffee reminds me of another difference - this is the last time we'll have organic raw sugar available -
Yep, only bleached and refined white sugar from here, most of it invisibly hidden everywhere, not to mention the high fructose garbage in almost every product. You might be tempted to think that 'panela' is brown sugar, but no - the brown sugar in the US is refined into white sugar, then molasses is added.
Perhaps, before even boarding the plane, I am already waxing nostalgic. Sure there are plenty of things to get frustrated with where I live, but somehow leaving leaves in sharp focus only the best stuff.
I'll miss my flowers, my dogs and my english class. But I'll be back soon, Lord willing. I've built a life in Colombia for more than 10 years, and now everytime I travel the voice in my head says - Please don't let society collapse (again) until I get back home.
At least its the end of summer, and coming into a beautiful fall, and the truth is it will be nice to see everyone again. But I will have to invite all to come visit me in Colombia, its nice down here, and our food is fresh and healthy. Bueno, bonito y barato - as we say in spanish - something like, good, high quality and inexpensive.
A reality only available on the periphery.
Its time to push through the last gate, irreversible now, only forward. Goodbye Colombia, hello (in a few hours) United States.
More updates to come soon, there is, as always, a lot of work to do.
