Punam Bean Photography (observations)

It’s been a long, long couple of wonderful days. At the last minute, and I mean, the night before we were about to get in a Toyota Yaris and embark upon a 20 hour journey in two days over the most traveled highway in the east, right before Thanksgiving, Husbone and I took a nap before the 4 hour drive from Plymouth to NYC. Oh goodness, we thought. How on earth did we think this was a good idea? And so, before we embarked upon said journey, we booked two tickets to fly to Miami instead. And so we did.

And it was in our Miami motel room, that I searched the internet for some more information about Caracas airport. “There’s a 2 out of 3 chance of getting mugged at gun point!” said the Internet! “Avoid Caracas airport at all costs!” she cried! “Beware that the taxi drivers will drop you off in the barrios, steal all your belongings and clothes and leave you to fend for yourself on the streets of Caracas!” she crooned!

It was with a slight panic, that we prepared ourselves. But the flight was great, there was a hot meal, coffee service, newspaper distribution. We arrived at a clean, populated airport with friendly staff, Fridays and a Church’s Chicken (not called Iglesia de la Pollo!). And we waited a few hours for Jen, Jay and Gabriella to arrive with their friend Brooke. Their flight was late, and so we embarked upon the 5 hour drive to Barquisimeto in the dark of night, and though we traveled alone with Jen’s parents, I found out that I knew enough Spanish to carry a conversation with some help from my friend Pantomime. It was a long long day, and Jennifer’s family could not have been more kind, or more generous, or more gracious. Even though there is certainly a language barrier, we really haven’t felt it at all.

This morning was boisterous. I love the warmth of this family, and this extremely huge-cheeked baby named André Elijas. Gabriella insisted she hold his head in place for pictures. I don’t like to interfere.

Jay says in this family, it’s cheeks. I agree.

Jay and Jen’s mom:

Gabriella helps make wedding programs! (That’s a Husbone hand to the right! He’s very helpful!)

Husbone makes André laugh.

André sleeps.

I am thankful for my Husbone and his niceness. I am thankful for the opportunity to be in South America. I am thankful I get to work with such wonderful families as Jennifer’s and such wonderful couples as Jennifer and Jay. And I am thankful for the amazing Ceviche and Salmon with potatoes that Husbone and I had for Thanksgiving dinner at our wonderful hotel in Barquisimeto. I am also thankful for the black market exchange rate.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!