We had a great trip Saturday to Mérida with Fernanda's Dad. He is a great conversationalist. The scenery was absolutely fantastic. As the hours passed, the higher we drove into the Andes. At every turn in the road, a different view greeted us and the air became more and more crisp. About every thirty minutes, the flora would change as we climbed to another level. Mr. Vielma would point out the differences and tell me the name of the various trees and bushes. I think the most interesting bush was the Frailejon (click on the name – it is the third photo). It lives 150 years.
About two hours before reaching Mérida, we stopped to visit Fernanda's aunt and cousin and had a delicious cup of tea. About an hour later, we stopped at the home of another aunt for a delicious dinner. This aunt came to the States with Fernanda's parents when Fernanda graduated from Southeastern. It was good to see her again. The weather was freezing. We were about 10,000 feet up in the Andes.
We finally arrived in Mérida at about 9:00 p.m. As we rounded a curve coming into the city, the traffic was backed up all the way up the mountain. August is holiday season for the people of Venezuela and Mérida is the Gatlinburg of Venezuela. It took us almost an hour to get to Fernanda's house, usually a ten-minute drive.
Fernanda's Mom met us as we drove into the gate. We had a good family reunion and visited for another hour before going to bed. Fernanda's home is beautiful. The front verandah looks out over the highest mountain peak in the Andes and the cable car that goes up to the top. What a view. It had rained on Friday so the tops of the mountains were covered in snow. It was also freezing. I slept under two blankets.
Today, we attended the 8:30 service of Fernanda's church. We really had a great service. It was good to finally see the church because Fernanda is always talking about. The church hosts an annual Youth Conference that attracts youth from all over Venezuela.
After church, Fernanda's Mom treated us to a delicious lunch at a food court. While we were eating, who should walk into the food court but Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald Duck. Everyone went wild with excitement. I thought, what a small world. It was great.
We spent the rest of today visiting all of Fernanda's aunts. They all own souvenir shops within a couple of blocks of each other near the zoo. She must have a hundred aunts. They all love her and are her biggest supporters, both financially and with their prayers.
I am headed to bed tonight at 10:00 because we are heading back to Barquisimeto in the morning at 6:00 a.m. It has been a great weekend.
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