2. Three things you could never live without.
3. Recreate your favorite childhood memory.
Not even half an hour into the trip we were anxious to get there, asking if we were almost there. My mom would call from the front, "Ya casi." Almost there. Then after two hours of singing and playing our version of I Spy, we began to see the familiar roads that led to our Tutis' house and the chant starts: "Llegamos a Cartagena! Llegamos a Cartagena! Llegamos a Cartagena!" Except it wasn't Cartagena, it was Carmen de Apicalá. But it was our Cartagena, it was our paradise.
When we finally pulled up, Toby rushed out of the house, greeting each of us with a great slobbery kiss. Everyone except me. Abuelito Gabriel came out of the house, holding back Toby so I could get out of the car. Tutis came out behind him, embracing each of her grandchildren and then pulling her own children to her. They towered over her and she disappeared in the midst of their hugs.
All six of us kids giggled and ran into the house. My big sister was the oldest of the six. She led the way to the room we all share. Four bunk beds were spaced out in the room. I headed straight for the one closest to the window and climbed to the top bunk. The mattress felt cool against my skin. Everything seemed to calm down.
It didn't last though. It wasn't long before my Tio Jaime came to look for us. He picked up Sofi, his youngest, and the rest of us followed him out of the room. The large house felt empty and silent. It wasn't until we passed the kitchen that we all knew where he was taking us. We hurried past him, out the back door. We all jumped up and down at the sight. Abuelito Gabriel had finished the pool. I could smell the chlorine. We could go to the pool anytime we wanted now! There was a pool! A pool!
That day was spent in the new pool, all of us together. The kids took turns rocking on Abuelito's legs on the side of the pool and laughed every time he pretended to drop us. Music played loudly and it filled the entire backyard. Some of the adults danced and laughed out by the pool. Dad and Tio Jaime made frijoles con carne for us. And they tasted delicious.
All six of us kids giggled and ran into the house. My big sister was the oldest of the six. She led the way to the room we all share. Four bunk beds were spaced out in the room. I headed straight for the one closest to the window and climbed to the top bunk. The mattress felt cool against my skin. Everything seemed to calm down.
It didn't last though. It wasn't long before my Tio Jaime came to look for us. He picked up Sofi, his youngest, and the rest of us followed him out of the room. The large house felt empty and silent. It wasn't until we passed the kitchen that we all knew where he was taking us. We hurried past him, out the back door. We all jumped up and down at the sight. Abuelito Gabriel had finished the pool. I could smell the chlorine. We could go to the pool anytime we wanted now! There was a pool! A pool!
That day was spent in the new pool, all of us together. The kids took turns rocking on Abuelito's legs on the side of the pool and laughed every time he pretended to drop us. Music played loudly and it filled the entire backyard. Some of the adults danced and laughed out by the pool. Dad and Tio Jaime made frijoles con carne for us. And they tasted delicious.
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