Johan's Home Town: Melgar, Tolima, Colombia!

Arrival in Melgar with our Guide Lorena

We said farewell to Lorena and our driver at Hotel Manintiel and checked into our room. We had arranged previously to meet with Martha Yolanda for lunch. Martha works for the ICBF (social services), was the Kidsave chaperone in 2008 and also Johan's social worker. We've kept in touch via email the last four years and she helped us find Johan's foster families prior to the trip. She was excited we were coming. We arrived around noon and called her shortly after. Unfortunately she didn't answer. We tried a few more times then decided to venture out on our own for a bite to eat.

Hotel Manantial

So our first taste of Melgar was the 4 of us walking through town to find lunch. Our hotel was conveniently located to the Center of town. We all thought Melgar would be a small, rural town but it is actually a very busy little place. Lots of street vendors, shops, eateries and people. All Colombian people. And boy did we stand out! Our first encounter with a group of people was a table full of 20-somethings having a beer at a corner bar. As we approached you could hear the chatter and laughter - as we passed - it became dead silent. They were all checking out the 'gringos'. The glances and our right stares continued as we strolled down the street. At first it was uncomfortable but after awhile we relaxed - realizing they meant no harm - we just looked THAT different!

We ended up at a chicken place. Tom & I split a half chicken and Johan & Nana had arroz con pollo. We also had fried yucca. One of the things Johan was most looking forward to on this trip was the food and sharing it with us.

One of 2 swimming pools at the hotel

After lunch we strolled around the town square, bought some drinks for our hotel room and headed back to the hotel. It is so hot and sticky that we were all drenched by the time we got back tot he hotel so we decided to hit the pool. We hung around the pool for a bit then tried calling Martha again - without success. So we decided to call one of the foster mom's daughter, Heidy, who's number we had. Johan had told her previously via Facebook that we would be coming - so she and her family were expecting us. She said someone from her family would be at the hotel at 5 to get us. So after cleaning up we waited in the lobby until 5 when Heidy's sister, Tatiana came to the hotel on her motorcycle. Not many families have cars in Melgar - but there are a lot of motorcycles and taxis!

Tatiana hailed a taxi for us and we met her at their house.