Happy Cartagena Honeymoon!

On August 13, 2024

Our grandson Jonas married his sweetheart Eve in the Provo City, Temple in Utah.

Welcome to the Jason Guffey family Sweet Eve!

The Newlyweds!

When you are newlywed, going back to school and have to watch your budget, what do you do for an awesome honeymoon?

Well, if you're lucky you might have family living in an exotic local that you can visit and you won't have to pay for hotels.

Their flight arrives at the Cartagena Rafael Nuñez International Airport on Saturday August 31st.

An evening on the wall of the old city.

Now, if you're really fortunate, you visit your grandparents, and their mission is two fold. See that you never go hungry and that you save most of your money. 

A delicious deal anyway you look at it.

Jonas enjoying his very first limonada de coco (coconut limeade), which went great with the delicious steaks we had at Marzola Parrilla Argentina Restaurant.

😋😋😋

Sunday September 1, 2024

After church we took the kids up to the Convent de Santa Cruz de la Popa

They seemed to enjoy the history and beauty of the convent and the view.

From there we drove to the fortress Castille de San Felipe de Barajas. A giant fortress built in 1639. It's quite the maze of tunnels and passages inside and quite a climb to the top.

The small guard tower and below is an area where they would have slept on bunks or maybe hammocks.

Getting a photo of the prettiest gal at the fortress. A proud husband moment!

It is kite flying season here and it's not unusual to see dozens or even a hundred kites flying in the parks. This huge whale kite was spotted in the park over the tunnel as we drove home.

Sunday evening was very lovely. We invited some friends over to meet Jonas and Eve and have some cake, brownies and ice cream.

Me, Myriam Glennie and Dunia Ulloque watching the sunset.

Brother Rafael and Sister Dunia Ulloque had a fun time getting to know our grandchildren.

Darryl with Myriam and Ian Glennie enjoying the refreshments. They told the happy couple "Thanks for inviting us to your "Cartagena" wedding reception! Haha!

And the fun has just started. Wait until tomorrow!

She Calls Me Abuela Cindy

 I have a sweet little friend here who calls me "Grandma Cindy". To be fair, I consider her my granddaughter.

I have known my little nieta, Ximena since she was only a few months old. Her father, Lalo, is a good friend who we have known and worked with for over 15 years, and he sometimes teasingly calls me his "Gringo Mama". Ximena's Mama, Cintia is such a sweet, dear friend and one of the kindest women you will ever meet. 

Ximena wanted to learn something new while living near us in Cartagena, so she decided to take up crochet. Twice a week I pick her up and take her to Señora Violet's Craft Shop where she takes crochet lessons. 

And she is quite good and has learned to crochet very fast. She has made some cute animals and a cover for her phone.

When she finishes with her class we walk back to my apartment, usually stopping along the way for some ice cream or a treat of some kind. 

Since Ximena is bi-lingual, she makes ordering the ice cream quite easy. 

Ximena has two younger brothers she likes to play with and take care of. She is a very good big sister.

One day it was extremely hot and threatening rain, so we took the bicycle taxi home.

But on most days we walk the 10 blocks and she will say. "I like to walk with you Grandma Cindy. Walking with you is my favorite, you are fun". And then she will hug me tight and say "I love you Grandma!" and my heart melts. I love you too sweet Ximena!