Sunday, August 10. I wake up early. I straighten up what’s left to be straightened up. Thank God for Dona Lou’s cleaning yesterday. The kitchen is sparkling. I thrown on some sweatpants. I run to the polleria. He still hasn’t called (of course he hasn’t called, that would be responsible). I come back, check in with the airport shuttle cab. They picked him up an hour ago. I knew that, I say to myself, as I finish up my makeup. I say a prayer as I step into my wedge heels, the first time I have worn them all summer. Good that they are useful now. I go outside, greeting Christina on the way. I sit outside the gate, waiting. I come back after 5 minutes. As soon as I am ready to boil some cinnamon and grapefruit peels (the chicken stinks), I hear it. Beep. Beeep. “Estacey!” Christina calls. “They’re here.” Yes, yes I know that. I titter-totter faster than I thought I could. The van pulls up. The driver gets out. He is up front. Why is he still sitting? Hurry up, hurry up, get out. Finally, he does, a giant smile on his face. We embrace for a long time, to t. Jamal comes home.
After what my mom predicted as a “passionate reunion,” we dined at Taco’s Don Felix, a few blocks from my house. Jamal was amazed by the roads, which he described as horrible. I told him I like the cobble stone foot massage. The next day, we explored the center, the Jardin, the park, and the churches. I finally took him to Milagros, a very good restaurant, which I visited with Kelsey, Noe, Salus and Andres. We had chalked up the walls in the smoking room, with colorful “Noe + Kelsey” and “Salus y Stacey: te amo” messages. Naturally, one of mine was “I heart Jamal” – and I finally got to show it off. We walked back smiling, he with a corn mask in his hand, I with new earrings.
For the next 8 days, Jamal visited CASA, videotaping the youth center and the hospital, and interviewing the staff. I translated. I actually learned a lot from Maricruz, the director, as well as Isabella, one of the midwives. On Thursday, he accompanied me, Bibianna and Karina to Corral de Piedras, where we listened to a radio novella about midwifery and violence prevention, promoted the midwifery school and made a cake! The week after, we spent time at the hospital, where we ran into the very pregnant owner of Garrison and Garrison, the gringo bookstore, and her Mexican pareja. They invited us to a private pregnancy class later that afternoon. Isabella ran the class, which 6 or 7 women attended. She explained the entire birthing process, listened to the babies’ heart rates, and showed a video of her sister’s water birth. I really admired her gentle, feminine aura – something I will try to emulate.
In addition to exploring CASA and San Miguel, Jamal and I spent much time just enjoying each other’s company. Friday night, we attended Kelsey’s goodbye party. We had a blast, despite the sadness of her leaving. Many people from CASA showed up, including Baby and Choche, as well as Noe’s friends, all the interns, and Mallory’s boyfriend, Daniel. Choche, who has cooked at our houses half a dozen times, prepared chicken rice tacos, and especially for me, calabaza (no oil, no bread, he beamed). I cannot wait until he comes to New York. Even the language barrier was not a problem, as Daniel spoke English with Jamal, so the guys bonded on the balcony. After much toasts of “Salud!” we danced the night away.
On Saturday, we walked around the Charco del Ingenio, the botanical garden. The location includes wetlands, a canyon, and the largest cactus exhibit I have ever been. We spent hours walking around, relishing in the natural beauty and the sheer variety of plant and animal life. Iguanas ran, ducks swam, bees buzzed, and ants did their thing as we strolled through the ecosystem. Naturally, I managed to get a cactus barb in my toe, but Jamal, armed with borrowed tweezers, pulled it out. My hero.
Sunday was filled with sadness, as the interns and the boyfriends gathered at Kelsey’s for a more intimate goodbye. We made enmoladas and watched YouTube videos, and danced a bit. No one, especially not Noe, was in a partying mood. Dear Kelsey left the next day.
On Tuesday, Jamal’s last night, I prepared a big dinner of spicy chicken, butter-roasted potatoes, and seasoned string beans. We spent the rest of the night working on his book, and he left early on Wednesday morning, forgetting his flip flops and the rest of the chicken, but vowing to come back.
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