Fase Cuatro

Yesterday while we were waiting for the elderly gentleman with the “special code” to instantly alter Yali’s name on his birth certificate – there are many mysteries in Colombia – David told us about Yali’s birth village.

“La Concordia? No, you would not go there. It would be not good. I would not even go there. They could tell from my teeth I was not from there. And it would be not good.”

So … got that one cleared up.

We arrived at the passport office before ten o’clock that morning. Yali would begin life with a Colombian passport; appropriate. The lines were ridiculous. David’s wife, Catalina, walked us through the process.

“Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed, when she saw our ticket number and how many people were waiting ahead of us.

I don’t know how it happened, but half an hour later, we had left the building with Yali’s passport paperwork completed and on order.

“Amazing,” Catalina said, working very carefully with her English.

“It is … all your good energy!” David congratulated us with dramatic hand gestures as he drove us back to the B&B. “A positive attitude!”

I thought of all the people praying for us back home these past weeks.

While we waited at the doctor’s office that afternoon, David explained the remaining procedures.

“You could be done Tuesday,” he said. “I cannot promise. But it is possible.”

Home in five days? That would be insanely fast; in fact, I’ve never heard of a Colombian adoption that fast.

A few minutes later, Yali’s TB test elicited a brief avalanche of tears, quickly forgotten with the presentation of a small blue lollipop at the hands of two doting nurses. In and out.

I have had so much Coca-Cola here. I never drink it at home. I have literally had more Coke here in the past two and a half weeks than the past ten years put together. So far, no effects. I had another one at dinner: Crepes & Waffles. Amazing waffles, crepes, and beautiful ice cream sundaes that taste as good as they look. They should have these in the States. I’ll say the whole meal definitely beat those chocolate bars I had for dinner last night. … As much as I love chocolate.

Also, the fresh juice is excellent. I don’t know what it is about Colombian fruit juice, but it doesn’t matter: strawberry, mango, orange, tangerine – whatever – it’s all amazing.

Speaking of chocolate … picked up more bags of Tobelrones on the walk home. A snap in the air. Chatted with Puck who had a day at the pool with his buddy on Thursday, was busy with UNO and cake at church that evening. Full and successful day.