Last day in Cucuta-off to Cartagena

After a relaxing Saturday by the pool, we are ready to head off to our next destination-Cartagena. We are excited. There is nothing we can do now but pray that the documentation process is quick. Jose is anxious to get back to his new home, but we still have awhile to go. We have an early flight and some layover in Bogota, but we are ready to move on..
Oh, Jose is laughing at his temporary new name-Jose Rodgers Rodgers. Due to paperwork requirements he needs to have the mother's name as it appears on the passport. Her last name is Rodgers on this document and thus Jose Rodgers Rodgers. You have to hear him say it for the full effect!

Second Meeting with ICBF Today

Hello. Yesterday (Thursday 14July) we had a mainly uneventful day-swimming, etc. We did watch Transformers at the movie theaters, which was in Spanish of course. We had a good time.
Today we signed some papers with the attorney and we will meet the ICBF at 230pm for our integration meeting. Assuming all goes well this afternoon we can now begin the documentation process. Adoption papers need to be approved by the court in Cucuta and then sent to LaPlaya (Jose's birthplace) to change his name to Rodgers.
Today the weather is very hot and humid. Usually it is about 90F, but a nice wind cools it down. Today it is just hot and humid without wind-not much different than home right now as we understand.
The food is good. We have not been able to get outside of hotel much, but breakfast is very good. Meals have been simple, with little in way of cooked vegetables that we received. Fruits are very fresh and good. Beef and chicken dishes with rice and or fries served.

Went to the mall

We enjoyed a low-key day today.  I went shopping today for gifts for Jose's future birthdays, then we went to the pool for a couple of hours, then went to the mall and had dinner (pizza!).  Now we are relaxing and getting ready for another day.  Airline tickets are confirmed for Cartagena (leaving on Sunday) and then Bogota.  Our second meeting with the ICBF is set for Friday at 10am.  Ryan will have to return to Cucuta later in the month for the day to sign some papers, but our time in Cucuta is soon coming to an end.

Swimming...thank God for the pool!

Jose wanted to go swimming today and he got a full day of it!  We had our breakfast, including arrepes (a corn meal based biscuit, flat and circular), always fresh fruit, scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, and coffee.  Afterwards, we worked out at the gym---open air with old but good free weights.  Ryan said it felt like we were at Venice Beach, except for the freaks on roller skates.  Afterwards, swimming was the sole activity of the day.  All of the lizards visited us at the pool-there were at least five of them at various locations around the pool.  As usual everyone is extremely kind.  Jose received some free swimming lessons from a young kid at the pool. Imagine that..  Now we are trying to arrange flights to Cartagena for next week.  Prices seem to go up and down every time we search.

Reunited with Jose

The ICBF brought Jose to us at the hotel.  We were so excited and we could not believe that he was actually with us.  After we settled in, we needed to go to the EXITO (just like Target) and buy some more clothes for him.  He grew quite a bit since December.  Jose gave us some gifts from his town of Ocana--onions, a rosary, and a nice T-Shirt.   After we ran some errands, Jose went swimming in the pool (not a surprise..) 

el lagarto

Our friend the lizard at our hotel...

Waiting for Jose

The anticipation is building as we wait to finally be all together.  The thought of seeing Jose tomorrow is so exciting.  We found out yesterday that instead of meeting at an official office, they are bringing Jose to our hotel (not sure why, but it works for us).  The meeting is delayed for a few hours due to heavy rain fall in Ocana.  The roads are not safe to drive, so they are allowing more time for travel.  Jose should arrive at 11:00.  Today we will finalize questions we have prepared for the attorney and hang out by the pool.  The Hotel Bolivar has been very accommodating, everyone is very friendly.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers.