|
We woke up at 7 a.m. It had rained all night, and our laundry was still wet. We asked Rosa and Antonio to please pack it away for us once it had dried. When we went to the main house for breakfast, we found that they had some water leaks due to the fact that the roof was not yet installed on the third floor.
We gave the kids granola bars, and they ate them while coloring and drawing. Sisa gave some crumbs to the cat, who really seemed to enjoy them. This morning there were only two baby chicks left out of the original six. Poor little guys. The backhoe and sewer workers were right in front of the house this morning. We had breakfast: scrambled eggs, ham, bread, fried plantains, a hot drink called colada, coffee, and juice. We helped Antonio to make his own Facebook account so that they can chat with us even when Aida isn't home. The driver came to pick us up and we left the house at 10:10 for the airport. We had to go the long way around because the other end of our street was still closed. We saw washouts in some areas due to all of the rain. The kids were low-key and sweet on the car ride. They were very cuddly. Antonio was on the phone most of the way to the airport. At one point, the van pulled over on the side of the road as we entered the airport. There on the side of the road were Aida and Tayanta! She was discharged from the hospital this morning, and they took a bus to the airport to meet us!!! Our hearts were bursting with joy. Tayanta was smiling and chattering away in her sweet little voice. Aida said that when Tayanta woke up this morning, she was pointing out all of the things that she could now see with little effort. She was happy and her eyes looked wonderful. A bit bloodshot in the corners, but that is to be expected. We didn't think there was any chance of us seeing her before leaving. We are overjoyed. We rode together in the van until we got to the departures terminal, and then the whole family went in with us. Tayanta was pointing at everything she saw, as if she had a completely new pair of eyes. She was smiling and cheerful. This was the most perfect way to end the trip! We were so happy to get to hug and kiss the little munchkin one more time! The whole family was reunited to say goodbye. We hugged and kisses Sisa and Yupanqui repeatedly, and they latched on to us, playfully refusing to let go until the rest of the family started to walk away., As the family exited the airport. Sisa and Yupanqui ran back to us for one more hug and kiss. It was difficult to say goodbye after spending three whole weeks with the family. We got some lunch and did a little shopping. We bought some of the excellent chocolate from Republica del Cacao, and I bought a T shirt featuring a hummingbird made up of the colorful logos from the tourism board (who sponsored a Super Bowl commercial in the past). We headed to the gate...and then to a second gate when it was changed. While we were waiting at the gate, we heard an announcement that sounded like "Esmit Gkkkkrc". Craig said "Did they just call my name"? As we've mentioned, pronunciation of his name is very difficult for native SPanish speakers, and the variants can be quite comical. I wasn't convinced, but I went up to the desk to check just in case. Sure enough, they had indeed called his name. He had been selected for a security check of his luggage by the national police. He was escorted to the bowels of the luggage facilities and they inspected his checked luggage which contained the vitamin supplements from the traditional healer. They were very polite and apologetic, and everything in his luggage was deemed safe for travel. He had to go through security again to get back to the gate, where I was waiting. We boarded the plane at 3:20 p.m. The in-flight movie was called "Max," and it was about an army service dog. Since the family's dog's name is Max, I felt like this was an incredible coincidence, and half-watched the movie because of it. 45 minutes outside of Miami, we saw asome amazing lightning in the clouds. As synchronicity would have it, it was when we were listening to Led Zeppelin's "In the Light" on the iPod. After a quick layover in Miami, we arrived home after midnight. Steve was kind enough to pick us up at the airport. We were tired but happy and satisfied. It was a wonderful trip with an even more amazing ending! Thank you so much, Anna Taft and Virginia and the U.S. volunteer doctors of Vista para Todos. |
 Steph and Sisa  Our first glimpse of Tayanta's eyes after her strabismus surgery  Reunited!  Sisa, Tayanta, and Aida at dropping us off at the airport 
|
|
 |
|
 |
