Our legal process should be done by Wednesday (change of birth certificates will take 2 extra days). Most families after they are done fly to Bogota and home as soon as possible. Alex's parents have offered financial help so we can come home early, but the decision is not just as simple as an airplane ticket fee.
There are a few things we have to consider. First, will we be able to get six tickets close or adjacent to each other (unlikely at this late of a date). Will the new tickets cost the same as the ones we have bought or will the ticket price be higher above and beyond the penalty for changing? We have a 45 minute flight to Bogota and that will be the first time the girls will fly in an airplane. If we change our itinerary to a different date, the scheduled flights that we have now may not be available. We are staying over night in Miami on the way home for two reasons. The first is that we have no idea how long it will take for 6 of us to go through immigration. Secondly we have planned a day with Mercedes' cousin, who is a doctor and has rescheduled her time to be with us. If we change our itinerary we may have to do the trip in one day which would exclude Mercedes' cousin and which may not work with immigration. It would be very stressful on everybody for their first very long trip. Our current itinerary breaks the trip up into 2 days of 2-3 hour flying times. This is without the added stress of trying to hurry to get everything done (like packing everything, getting visas and passports) as soon as possible which may or may not happen. We already have a 7:30 am departure time we are not looking forward to, it is very possible the newer schedule could be worse.
Both of our work schedules are limited to a certain number of hours for the rest of the financial year, which ends June 30th. If we went back earlier, we would be home, but we would not be able to get back to work any sooner. We are enjoying 80 degree weather even if its raining. Though we miss certain conveniences, like our bed, THE DRYER, the garbage grinder and dishwasher we are managing now. We will have to buy food at home ( and Copps or Woodmans does not deliver), not to mention the fruit and prices are better (cheaper) here.
Today we went to a tourist spot in Medellin. It is a popular spot that recreates an old part of Medellin. It is located on a hill and has many great vistas of Medellin (see photos). We got some gifts for people back home. We then went to a mall to get gifts for the kids and staff at La Casita (that the girls chose to get gifts for). We also bought Mercedes her first Mother's Day present (it's a secret so don't tell her). Sucena found something interesting in the bathroom. We also got a chance to go swimming for first time in a few days. The girls needed the physical activity. We waited until about 9:30 tonight for fireworks that did not come (possibly because of a coming storm). The girls didn't want to go to sleep until they saw them (they didn't want to be rudely awakened again), so to say the least it was a long time before they went to bed. We will try to sleep in tomorrow. Tomorrow night promises to be another late night.
Your reasons not to leave early certainly are persuasive, especially not having the girls near you and each other in their first plane rides. I had forgotten about the two day Miami visit. It would be a bummer not to meet with Liza. I hope you will be able to have a nice weekend at the place you were last weekend to help fill the time.
ReplyDeleteI am struck by how beautiful Medellin is. I gather you will have more freedom now to talk with others as you go about during the day. That would make you visit much nicer.
And I am struck with each picture how beautiful all four girls are. Each has a wonderful, appealing face. As I look at them I want to get to know them, but am aware it will be many months before that will be accomplished. I am envious of the Rivera's for the headstart they will have with language, but I am grateful for the chance we will get at Crab Lake. We are sending out our party invitations today in which you all are featured.
The first weeks here in Wisconsin will be intense too---almost as intense as your weeks in Columbia. I need to remind myself to appreciate each moment; not hurry past it---for something is being created in that moment that is sacred.
I thank you, Alex and Mercedes, for making those special moments possible for the rest of us. My love to you, Mom/Sis/Wom/Bom
Another and more important comment
ReplyDeleteWe are nominating Mercedes as Mother of the Year on Mothers Day 2010. You have been amazing these last few months re-forming your life to make room for four other lives. You've gone over each step and made thoughtful decisions about so many things. You've carried on with a very challenging job while taking on a whole new career. You've been on deck for weeks without time off. You've been amazing. I am so glad you and Alex have each other and that yhou are a member of the Martin family. We send you a big hug, a kiss and maybe even a "wuzzie"
Our love, Andy and Sis