Driving us past the Aladin Hotel, Teresa recalled a family trip some years ago to Colombia. She went on to tell: "Listen to this story. We were travelling with Ramon and our teenage children and other family members in different cars in inland Colombia. When we got directed to a motel-like place to spend the night for a cheap 15 bolivares per room. We took five rooms and the curious kids went in to check them out. The round beds fascinated them. We were exhausted and retired in the rooms before an early rise."
"In the morning," She continued, "The kids gathered us in grandma's room for questioning."
"Mum, Dad they began, "What's that chair for?"
"That's a Catre," my humorous uncle answered eagerly.
Teresa then explained: "This was like a dentist chair but also an exercise machine with handcuffs attached to the side and things to hang onto at the top. It was a 'Catre'."
Hala then interrupted: "Oh! I know the Catre, the specially made chairs for having sex in different positions!"
"Hey Hala," I jumped in, "Sis, how the hell do you know about... This what's-it sex chair?"
Hala smiled and said: "Can't believe you mentioned this Teresa! As it happens, on my last night in London, I saw Zoe at Dylan's dinner party after so long and being Colombian, she asked if I was to come across a Catre to check it out and get back to her as to how it worked?!"
I then added: "Guess you learn something new every day."
Teresa had more to tell on the story... She continued: "As it happened, grandma was in the room with the Catre and she said: "I couldn't sleep until 3 am and decided to lie on the dentist's chair."
We looked around at each other trying hard not to laugh when she went on: "To do my prayers!" Being a good Catholic and all.
My uncle had to add his flavour so he said: "Surely a machine to take you straight into heaven!"
And we all laughed.
But we never got to test one out.
The early evening began with Teresa taking us to the outdoor car park of the teleferico to have Ramon waiting with the tickets. Let me tell you, another two-hour normal trafico! But we managed to get there in time to get up above the green mountains extending to the view of Caracas, this is what I would call the city of angels. Living day by day with moments of fear or choosing to block out the negative, tune into the positive and take things for what they are, yet, still guard your life with an embrace to see the kind people who are so ready to smile back at the first site.
Ramon was a true example of such a person.
We went up the lush green mountains, one after the other until we reached the top.
At 2250 metres above, the sun was going down with spectacular views. We were above the clouds.
We had a dinner of fondue at the restaurant with a view of the glowing city with lights. Stars above and stars below, shining.
The next day.
Teresa's free spirit when she took us to Los Caracas, beaches laying further than our first day, another two hours away from the city, was wonderful to watch as we met up with her good old friend Lalo. His kind smile and caring manners were impeccable. Teresa explained he lived in the mountains and any time there was chaos in the area; as in the mudslide last December due to heavy rain, this man would be there to give his helping hand.
We first met at a beach after Teresa skillfully drove us down a steep, muddy hill to take us to a bay with no one but a couple of other fishermen joining to chat. Everyone was friendly and actually sweet.
The picture shows the bay we were on for a couple of hours before heading to Los Caracas.
On the way to the beach, Teresa stopped at the waterfall for us to dip in for a swim and feel the pressure of water like a heavy massage on our back. It was superb.
And then back to the beach to spend the rest of the afternoon.
Lying on the deck chairs in Los Caracas, I noticed a family. The two young sons were on a smaller-than-normal bike squad going around the beach while the voluptuous mamma stood by the open passenger door of the truck, in her tight swimsuit and flirted with her eyes towards her husband who rushed to her side, took her from the waist and went on to kiss her passionately, almost lying on the passenger seat. Impressive.
We had to get back to the hotel, to get ready for our friends Julius and Rebecca to pick us up at about 9.30 pm to attend an event in the newly done up, modern VIP hotel, followed by dinner at the rooftop of the restaurant called 360. With views all around the city.
We had to get home for a short sleep before getting ready to fly to the absolutely magical islands of Los Roques.
"In the morning," She continued, "The kids gathered us in grandma's room for questioning."
"Mum, Dad they began, "What's that chair for?"
"That's a Catre," my humorous uncle answered eagerly.
Teresa then explained: "This was like a dentist chair but also an exercise machine with handcuffs attached to the side and things to hang onto at the top. It was a 'Catre'."
Hala then interrupted: "Oh! I know the Catre, the specially made chairs for having sex in different positions!"
"Hey Hala," I jumped in, "Sis, how the hell do you know about... This what's-it sex chair?"
Hala smiled and said: "Can't believe you mentioned this Teresa! As it happens, on my last night in London, I saw Zoe at Dylan's dinner party after so long and being Colombian, she asked if I was to come across a Catre to check it out and get back to her as to how it worked?!"
I then added: "Guess you learn something new every day."
Teresa had more to tell on the story... She continued: "As it happened, grandma was in the room with the Catre and she said: "I couldn't sleep until 3 am and decided to lie on the dentist's chair."
We looked around at each other trying hard not to laugh when she went on: "To do my prayers!" Being a good Catholic and all.
My uncle had to add his flavour so he said: "Surely a machine to take you straight into heaven!"
And we all laughed.
But we never got to test one out.
The early evening began with Teresa taking us to the outdoor car park of the teleferico to have Ramon waiting with the tickets. Let me tell you, another two-hour normal trafico! But we managed to get there in time to get up above the green mountains extending to the view of Caracas, this is what I would call the city of angels. Living day by day with moments of fear or choosing to block out the negative, tune into the positive and take things for what they are, yet, still guard your life with an embrace to see the kind people who are so ready to smile back at the first site.
Ramon was a true example of such a person.
We went up the lush green mountains, one after the other until we reached the top.
At 2250 metres above, the sun was going down with spectacular views. We were above the clouds.
We had a dinner of fondue at the restaurant with a view of the glowing city with lights. Stars above and stars below, shining.
The next day.
Teresa's free spirit when she took us to Los Caracas, beaches laying further than our first day, another two hours away from the city, was wonderful to watch as we met up with her good old friend Lalo. His kind smile and caring manners were impeccable. Teresa explained he lived in the mountains and any time there was chaos in the area; as in the mudslide last December due to heavy rain, this man would be there to give his helping hand.
We first met at a beach after Teresa skillfully drove us down a steep, muddy hill to take us to a bay with no one but a couple of other fishermen joining to chat. Everyone was friendly and actually sweet.
The picture shows the bay we were on for a couple of hours before heading to Los Caracas.
On the way to the beach, Teresa stopped at the waterfall for us to dip in for a swim and feel the pressure of water like a heavy massage on our back. It was superb.
And then back to the beach to spend the rest of the afternoon.
Lying on the deck chairs in Los Caracas, I noticed a family. The two young sons were on a smaller-than-normal bike squad going around the beach while the voluptuous mamma stood by the open passenger door of the truck, in her tight swimsuit and flirted with her eyes towards her husband who rushed to her side, took her from the waist and went on to kiss her passionately, almost lying on the passenger seat. Impressive.
We had to get back to the hotel, to get ready for our friends Julius and Rebecca to pick us up at about 9.30 pm to attend an event in the newly done up, modern VIP hotel, followed by dinner at the rooftop of the restaurant called 360. With views all around the city.
We had to get home for a short sleep before getting ready to fly to the absolutely magical islands of Los Roques.
I love Los Caracas.When I die I'd love to rest up there.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I imagine us as free souls when we die, able to fly like a bird and be anywhere we wish
ReplyDelete