Visiting Friends and Family

We had a hearty breakfast this morning to prepare us for a round of visits in Reu. When visiting Rodolfo's home after a year to two year long absence, there are a lot of people to see! Rodolfo has so many wonderful friends and family. The first time I went on this string of visits I was overwhelmed. If my memory serves me correctly, it seems that we had 3-4 solid days of new faces. They all streamed into us and we went out to their homes. I had a hard time keeping up with the Spanish let alone knowing what was the polite and correct way to respond. I remember feeling like I was on stage and everyone I met was waiting for me to do or say something marvelously interesting. I guess that is what most people feel like when they are the newest member of any family. Fortunately, everyone was very nice to me and very forgiving of my mistakes. Needless to say, I was exhausted by the end of the introdutions! I can't believe it has been 9 years since those first introductions took place! And now, this time around, it was Georgia's turn to be the new person in the family. She did pretty well meeting and greeting all the new faces, although I could tell she was wiped out after this day. We didn't quite make the rounds like the past-- the dynamics and timing were slightly different because we had a toddler and we were not staying in Reu proper. But we still did visit a few familiar faces. The first of which was Tio Whyo. And I have to say, nobody has worn these past 9 years better than him. We visited him in his pharmacy as we have on every visit. I could have easily been reliving a visit from 9 years ago. Not much has changed in his welcoming, busy store. Below is a photo of the 3 of us visiting him.

Here is the mermaid fountain that Rodolfo remembers from his childhood. He would eat ice cream here after school and this is where he and his brother chaperoned his sister on many of her dates. :)

A photo of Rodolfo's all-time favorite car next to the home where his mother lives.

Here is a picture of the church Rodolfo was baptized in as a child. He did his first communion here too. In front of the church is a "took took". This is the easiest means of transportation in the bustling and expanding town of Reu. Supposedly these little carts were imported from India.

Here we are, Rodolfo, Orietta, Georgia and myself after catching our took took ride. The next post has details of our evening visit.