Glenda

The lines were packed on the morning of Sunday, March 15th, for the first flight.

The airline’s app said boarding was underway, and I was still waiting for the TSA security check.

Since I and other passengers were traveling to Miami, we had to request to go to the front of the line; otherwise, we would miss our flight, and I had a connecting flight afterward.

Looking for the right gate, which had changed from 26 to 37, we ran and finally made it!

I arrived in Miami in time to catch my connecting flight to Barranquilla, Colombia, but it started to rain. The control tower told the pilot to wait until they gave the signal that it was safe to take off.

Several other planes were also waiting in line.

Finally, the plane took off, and I arrived in Barranquilla to see my loved ones.

My mom, dad, younger sister, and two nieces were waiting for me there.

After 17 years without seeing them, I was finally able to hug and kiss them.

I received some beautiful flowers and a Snoopy plushie—how wonderful! Snoopy, my favorite, from my little nieces.

One is three years old and the other nine.

It was a touching and precious moment.

My mom didn’t recognize me until I approached.

They couldn’t believe how much I had changed.

My nieces are adorable. They make me laugh, and I enjoyed spending time with them so much.

The city where I was born has changed so much that I couldn’t believe my eyes, but I guess there’s a reason it’s called the Golden Gate of Colombia.

They built a boardwalk where people gather to see the statues of Sofía Vergara and Shakira, play games, and eat. There’s so much to see, but I only have a few days.

At the Cayman, you can sit and enjoy different kinds of local food and drinks.  The space inside the Cayman is cheerful and bright. It has enormous wooden butterflies with strings you can pull, giving children the idea that wooden butterflies can fly.

It was a relief to know my mother is feeling better and to be able to enjoy time with her and my father.

After years, I tasted zaragosas again, those famous red beans from my Barranquilla. That distinctive flavor I missed so much, and what I can say about the grilled arepas, corn tamales, cucayo, caribañola, empanadas, and pan de bono.

While exploring the new sights of the city, I bought some souvenirs for my children and friends in Austin, Texas. There are so many things you want to take home, but I couldn’t bring them all.

But you can visit Gospa, where they have beautiful local artisanal jewelry at Buena Vista #2, and at Viva you can try a La Cosecha iced lemonade. I ordered a coconut lemonade.  The weather is warm and humid, but the people are cheerful and friendly.

I went to see the Sacred Heart of Jesus Park and its statue on a Wednesday. I walked with my dad to hear his stories from when he was young, and he introduced me to his kind neighbors, Mrs. Carolina and Mrs. Virginia.

Mrs. Virginia has a cat named Maria Jose. She has a beautiful terrace with many plants.

My younger sister took me to see the new pier in Puerto Colombia, the beach, and the surrounding area. I loved seeing how much this town has grown.

Then my other sister joined us to visit the new monuments at the Window to the World on the Barranquilla boardwalk and also the Window of Dreams near Salgar Beach and Puerto Colombia.

They took me to Chuzitos, and Narcobollo restaurants to taste caribañola de queso and desgranado that is a popular fast food, it features different kind of meats but I chose the one with chicken, shoestring potatoes, sweet corn, cheese, lettuce, and various sauces like tartar, pink sauce, pineapple. It’s often served with a bollo limpio (a corn cake) and I got corozo juice, known for its red sweet-sour, earthy, and tart taste similar to cranberries.

There is so much more to see and taste; a week wasn’t enough. I hope to return soon, but for now I can say:

It was an amazing spring break, full of beautiful memories and nostalgia that filled my heart and my life.