Colombia (Part 12), Cartagena, The hospitality of my Colombian family

We would usually return to our respective homes in the evening for dinner with the families we were staying with in Cartagena, Colombia . This is where it could get really lively because I never knew who would be at my house for dinner. Jenny had 4 children, 2 sons and 2 daughters who were always stopping by. Both the daughters were married. Gustavo was engaged to be married in July. Everyone was very friendly and we enjoyed each other’s company. They were very curious about my life.The one thing I enjoyed about Jenny’s family is that they were all very well read and enjoyed discussing the political and economic issues of Colombia and Latin America which is also something I like. Their Spanish was at times very difficult to follow and my accent was at times difficult for them. When they got excited about a topic there was no slowing them down! Often times I just sat there nodding as if I understood them while they left me in the dust.

 The food is my house was very good and quite diversified. For breakfast I would usually have juice, Colombian coffee, and fruit or eggs. One morning for breakfast, I was served a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with fruit. Strange combination, but good. I would eat lunch out everyday and dinner at the apartment. The family usually didn’t eat with me but someone in the house was always at the table talking with me.   Here is representative photo of breakfast one morning.  That is eggs in the plate with a couple of bowls of fruit.                      Jenny was always concerned about how I felt about my accommodations and she went out of her way to make sure I was comfortable. There was no air conditioning in the apartment and it was very hot, but I kept the windows open all the time. She seemed concerned that I never turned on the fan in my room so she would come in every night and turn it on for me.

One day while I was doing homework in my room, Jenny insisted I come out to meet a friend of hers. Her friend was a vendor of homemade desserts and sold them door to door. Her bowl of desserts was full and she balanced it on her head. Jenny insisted we take some pictures. I bought some desserts to share with Jenny. Talk about carbs!! I was on a sugar high for hours after that. Here is a pic of the vendor and her desserts.  She looks a little unhappy.  I guess you would be too if you walked around all day with that bowl of desserts on your head!

   

Hang with me, there is only one more post about my Colombia trip and it will be my final one. 

Next-My journey to Colombia comes to an end–

See my other travel blogs on NewsOk.com:

Colombia:http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/category/colombia/   Mexico:http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/category/mexico/    

   

Caribbean island of Barbuda:                    http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/category/barbuda/     

San Juan with a 5 hour layover:                                  http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/category/san-juan-puerto-rico/        

Fly around the U.S. for the day:                                                http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/category/day-trip/

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