July 7, 2009
A little word from Don Hector
The following was written by Yoli's dad, Hector Zegarra Barron (in Spanish of course):
Visit, Vacation and Second Honeymoon
Thanks to my dear son-in-law Joshua and my firstborn daughter Yolange Z. de Renaud.
After a lot of paper work done by my daughter Lucila and a trip to the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, we got the long-awaited visa to be able to travel to this country in North America. We were finally able to depart in a beautiful American Airlines airplane, on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 9:15 a.m.
We arrived to Miami at 1 p.m. After Passport Control and Customs we had some problems finding the right gate. After solving those inconveniences and a 45 minute delay, we departed to St. Louis, Missouri at 9 p.m. and arrived to St. Louis around 11 p.m. Josh and Yolange were waiting for us. We got to their home and we rested from our trip.
First of all, I want to tell you about the change that my wife and I experienced: the U.S. is so advanced compared to third world countries in every way, cultural, political, economical, and above all technology.
To see modern roads, well organized traffic on the highways, orderly urban traffic, modern supermarkets, schools, universities, institutes; or the technological constructions like bridges, buildings, stadiums like the "Cardinals", the Arch next to the beautiful Mississippi, zoos, botanical garden, museums, the Meramec Caverns, in summer, just what I saw in the State of Missouri -- and I forgot the St. Louis Post Dispatch, where my son-in-law works, and the Anheuser Busch Brewery, car factories.
It would take too long to mention so many beautiful things we experienced, like the kind and hospitable treatment from people, especially from my dear daughter Yolange; my granddaughters Jadzia, Ludi, and Josie; my dear son-in-law Josh, without whom I would not be in this beautiful country; also the love from his parents Anita and Joe; and their son Justin, his wife and beautiful children. Neither do I want to forget the big and beautiful Grace Church; a country that believes in God will prosper.
Well, we are in the final days of our staying in this beautiful country and the good thing we have is the honor, my beloved wife and I, to spend the 4th of July here, the Independence of the U.S.A.
July 2, 2009
THURSDAY: Anheuser-Busch Brewery tour
On Thursday we made our way to that which is at the center of nearly every St. Louisan's heart. Not time in St. Louis would be complete without it. Of course I mean the brewery tour.
We had a good time seeing all the historic buildings and fascinating industrial processes. At the end we had soda, pretzels, and a glass of O'Douls for Don Hector.
I remarked to Yoli as we were heading out of the brewery parking lot that I had forgotten to look up the address of Gus's Pretzels, which I knew was somewhere nearby. Oh well, a missed opportunity.
But serendipitously I couldn't find the entrance ramp to I-55 North, and we stumbled onto Gus's just 5 minutes after that conversation.
We bought some hot dog- and salsiccia-pretzel sandwiches with honey mustard. And Gus's just happens to have a great view of the brewery, so we took some photos.
Loading the van is always a process.
WEDNESDAY: Meramec Caverns / St. James
Wednesday morning we made our second excursion far outside of St. Louis, this time along I-44. Our first stop was Meramec Caverns, which I haven't been to since I was in 5th grade.
While the owners have added new attractions, the caverns and tour themselves were pretty much exactly the same as I remember.
The only difference between then and now was price -- $18 per adult (which is by far the most expensive activity we've done during these three weeks, though the Cards game would have been worse if we hadn't gotten free tickets).
After the Caverns, we ate at McDonald's, satisfying a long-held desire of Jadzia's. Then it was on to St. James where we had a lovely visit with my brother Justin, his wife Becca, and their boys. The kids played well, we had a nice time talking and playing Wii, and dinner was great. Then we walked around St. James Park, and topped it all of with ice cream.
The ride home wasn't as smooth, and featured much crying. But once we were home, a restful night was had by all.
TUESDAY: St. Louis Cardinals game
Tuesday night my mom came over to watch the girls so that Yoli, Don Hector, Doña Lucila and I could go to the Cardinals game.
The game turned out to be a loss to the Giants. But it was exciting and Pujols hit two home runs.
The best part was seeing Yoli's parents' names on the scoreboard. One of my coworkers arranged this for me, and it turned out to be a huge thrill for them. So big a thrill that the outcome of the game didn't matter anymore.
I captured the moment on video, but the camera needs to be cleaned, so I don't have an image of it here. Hopefully I'll post it soon.
SUNDAY: Malcolm W. Martin Arch overlook
Across the river from downtown St. Louis is the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park. This year they finally completed a scenic overlook tower from which you can take great photos of the Arch and the St. Louis skyline. This past Sunday, we took Yoli's folks and the girls to grab some photos from there.
This bronze statue of Malcolm Martin fooled us when we parked our van. We thought someone was up on the tower taking photos. Then we got up there and found it was just a statue. But Doña Lucila wanted her photo taken with it.
After our photo session on the overlook, we continued east on I-70 to Collinsville so we could attend church at Iglesia Bautista Agape. The pastor there was Yoli's professor in seminary in Bolivia, so it was nice for Yoli's parents to visit with a paisano.
On our way home from church, I took Yoli's parents to the Post-Dispatch to have a look around.
Yoli and her abuelita work on Sunday dinner.
Still going
Despite our lack of blog posts this week, rest assured we are going full-bore. Together we have visited quite a few places this week, ranging from the Malcolm Martin Arch viewing platform in East St. Louis to a Cardinals baseball game to Meramec Caverns to St. James (where my brother Justin lives).
Also, Don Hector has helped me continue on with my bunk bed finishing project. I finally finished staining all the head boards, and Don Hector did most of the first coats of finish on the non-headboard pieces.
Photos/videos will be coming sometime soon, whenever we can find time. :)
This morning we will be off to the Anheuser-Busch brewery.