We arrived in Cartagena, Colombia after a long night. We arrived in Las Vegas around 8:30 pacific time, checked in and then waited for the plane to leave at 11:30. We got a little sleep on the 4 hour flight to Florida arriving there at 7:00 am eastern time. We left from Florida at 11:00 am eastern time and got into Cartagena at 12:30 their time. Griff was true to his word....he was right there at the airport waiting for
us. When we went through customs the officer asked us if we spoke any Spanish. He didn't know that Griff was out there waiting for us. I said, "very little, but we hope to learn more while we are here." He just shook his head as to say, "you idiot...have fun." It was so good to see Griff. He is so happy here.
Griff pointed to a taxi and told Austin and I to get in and they would take us to the hotel. He must have seen the terror in my eyes because he immediately said, "don't be scared. We will be right behind you." Austin and I trusted because we headed to the taxi and couldn't see him and Whitney at all. The driver kept trying to ask us questions in Spanish and we kept saying that we couldn't speak Spanish. Finally the taxi with Griff and Whit came around the corner and we were on our way. It is a really nice hotel right on the Carribean Ocean. We are on the 17th floor and the view is beautiful.
We went to a little barrio outside of Cartagena called Turbaco. It is the last area that Griff served in. We went to lunch at the family De Avila from the ward
that he was in. They were so excited to see him. They fixed us rice, beef, chicken, sausage and corn on the cob. Brother De Avila ate with us but not the Sister De Avila or their daughter. When I asked the why they weren't eating, the Sister De Avila said that she was busy preparing and ate a little bit before. I think that they didn't have enough. They are so generous. It was very good. They were so happy to serve us.
After lunch, Griff gave them some gifts that we had brought with us. He gave Brother and Sister De Avila Temple aprons. They were so happy. Sister De Avila immediately took them back to her room. She knew how sacred they were. They told us at lunch that they are only able to go to the Temple once a year in November. They go to Bogota as a stake. They stay for two weeks and do as many sessions as they can. The youth also go and do baptisms. She said that she was so excited to go in November and be able to take her apron. He also gave them CTR necklaces and Brother De Avila a tie. They were so appreciative. When we left, they stood at their front door and waved until we were out of sight. What a wonderful experience to see how much they love Griff and how much he loves them.
We came back to the hotel for a little bit and then went to the old city of Cartagena. It has a big wall all around it with holes where they would shoot at ships coming into the harbor. It has shops, offices, and little cafes inside. They had a group of dancers dancing when we got there. We checked out some emeralds but are waiting until we get to Barranquilla to buy some. I hope we aren't sorry. It has been a long but so fun 48 hours. Better catch some shut eye....tomorrow we are going by boat to an island. Another adventure, I'm sure!
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