While we searched for a place of our own, Sandra spent a few weeks staying in one of the school’s homestays with the lovely Dońa Marta and her dog Sam. Sandra developed a bond with both, and we often return to take Sam out for a walk around the canal. All of us light up when we see each other. Perhaps in the future we’ll manage to have a lifestyle that allows us to keep a dog.

With both of us still essentially living out of suitcases, we didn’t want to rush into buying furniture, so we decided to look for a furnished apartment to begin with, preferably somewhere close to Sandra’s school. After a few false starts, we finally found a place overlooking the velodrome on the ninth floor. It’s bright and airy and has an awesome view of both the mountains during the day and the fairy lights of the town at night. I get a great view when I’m working from home, though that happens less and less as my work at the libraries picks up. Sandra loves the energy of the place and is slowly sprucing it up with Feng Shui-friendly additions.

The second surprise Sandra had prepared for me when I returned was to go climbing together. This bouldering gym is near Laureles, where she teaches, so it will be convenient when we move. From her clues, ‘bring socks, but not shoes’, and ‘it’s a physical activity’, I had thought we were doing karate, which would have been fun too, but I was delighted to get Sandra into climbing. She took to it well, making it to the top on her first attempt. Obviously it was the easiest route she could find, but I struggled on the easier routes too. This gym sets some tough climbs! I look forward to doing it together again in the future.

After two months in Australia, I made it back to Colombia at the beginning of February. To celebrate, Sandra took me out to an Indian restaurant, which are not easy to find in Medellin. To be honest, I can’t even remember the food because I was so happy to be with Sandra again.

Every year, Medellin puts on a display of lights in the lead up to Christmas. This year, the theme was flora and fauna, for which Colombia is famous. It is number one or two in the world in terms of diversity for amphibians, birds, butterflies and orchids and represents more than 10% of all species on Earth. Sandra and I spent one of my last nights in the country wandering through Parque Norte enjoying the various displays. Some are 3D; some are 2D moving pictures; some transport you underwater, but all are spectacular.