Guatemala 7/1/2025 |
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Tuesday, July 1, 2025 - DepartureToday we woke up at 5:30 a.m. We had been a bit nervous about our flights, as there were supposed to be storms all along the east coast of the U.S. today. American Airlines had even offered the ability to reschedule our flights for free. We didn't take advantage of the offer, and just hoped that our regularly scheduled flight would work out.Craig had a cup of coffee, but I was worried about having to pee on the ride to the airport, so I didn't have one. Ian doesn't usually accompany Humberto on trips to Guatemala City, but as he was still on vacation from school and wanted to go, Humberto let him come with us. We said goodbye and thank you to Paulina. She always takes such good care of us, ensuring that we are well fed and that our room is always clean. These days, with most of the kids grown up, everyone is on different schedules. There is no longer a set time for a family meal. People trickle in and out, often making food for themselves when it's convenient. But Paulina always ensured that we had three meals a day, whether she cooked them herself or bought them from a vendor or a nearby restaurant. We really appreciate all that she does to keep the household running! We left for the airport at 6:40. Ian got a little carsick on the ride, and we had to pull over. Partway through the ride I started to have to pee, despite not having had anything to drink this morning. I knew approximately how long it would take to get to the airport, and decided that I could wait, rather than requesting a pit stop. However, as we got closer to the airport, the traffic stopped dead. It turned out that there was a protest against the government, and the protestors had formed a blockade. No traffic was allowed to pass. Where we were situated in traffic, it was impossible to turn around without driving over a concrete barrier. Humberto tried to drive over it and pull a U-turn, but it was not possible. By now, I really had to pee. We were stuck, and there was no way I could go to the bathroom outside the van without being in front of a ton of people stuck in traffic. I was weighing my options when Humberto advised that we would continue on foot to try to get a taxi to take us the short distance remaining to the airport. I knew that there was no way that I would make it. So I dug Craig's plastic party hat from my birthday party out of our luggage and peed into it in the back of the van, asking Ian to avert his eyes. It was not my finest hour, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Sorry, Craig, for sacrificing your party hat! When I was done, we grabbed our luggage. Humberto locked the van, and we left it behind. I was nervous about crossing the picket line on foot. People and their motorbikes blocked the road. Humberto climbed over a motorcycle, but it was clear trhat Craig with his cane would not be able to get through. One of the protestors smiled and moved the bike over slightly so that we could fit through. It was hot as we carried our heavy luggage down the street. Humberto said he would get us a cab, but we had our doubts that he would be able to find one. Even if he could, it would probably be in high demand. But lo and behold, an empty cab emerged from a side street and Humberto hired him to take us to the airport. We put our luggage in the trunk and said a quick goodbye and thank you to Humberto and Ian. What an eventful first airport trip for Ian! Luckily, when they got back to the van, they were able to turn around and head home. They stopped to play at a playground and to get lunch, so that it turned out to be a fun time for Ian after all. Our taxi driver got us to the airport, and thank goodness I had peed in the van, otherwise I would never have made it. We gave the driver a bigger tip than the fare itself, since we were so grateful. He looked at us confused, and said that Humberto had already paid the fare. We explaied that it was a tip to show our gratitude. If he hadn't taken us, we never would have caught our flight. We checked in at the airport, went through security and immigration, and got to the gate. We were feeling hungry, so I bought Gatorade, Doritos, and some nuts to snack on before boarding the plane. We were in business class. We boarded the plane and had some Bailey's. For a meal, I had pasta and Craig had pork tenderloin. When we got to Miami, we went through Global Entry (there was no line whatsoever) and picked up and re-checked our luggage. We opted out of going to the lounge, since we didn't have all that much time. We had the wheelchair attendant take us to the gate, D51. It was a long walk to get there. We got settled in seats at the gate and the attendant took the wheelchair away, saying that someone would be back to help Craig board the plane when the time came. We then got an announcement that our gate was changed...to D9. That was further away than we had just come. There was no way Craig could walk all that way, and we doubted that our wheelchair attendant would return, as he had now been reassigned to the next person. So I asked one of the wheelchair staff at the gate if someone would automatically come to take us to the new gate. She said no, and that she would have to inform her supervisor. She called and was told that a golf cart would come to pick us up. I thanked her for her help. We saw several golf carts go by, but none of them stopped or would even make eye contact. Time was ticking. Finally, Craig had to use the rest room. While he was in there, a golf cart delivered people to gate D51. I intercepted them and asked if they had been called to take us to gate D9. They said we weren't on their list. But they kindly offered to take us anyway. Of course, Craig was now in the restroom. I was very apologetic, but they said it was no problem and that they would wait. Luckily, we didn't have to wait long. When Craig came back, we got into the golf cart which drove us the enormously long distance to the new gate. There were wheelchair attendants at the new gate and they helped Craig to board the plane. Traveling is always so stressful! We were exhausted mentally and physically by the time we got on the plane, We had Bailey's to drink and for dinner we had bbq beef with mac and cheese, which was surprisingly tasty. Due to unsettled weather on the eastern seaboard, we had to take a more westerly route than usual to avoid the storms. This meant that we got to Boston at midnight rather than our regularly scheduled 11:20 p.m. arrival. We were just happy to have made it at all! We collected our luggage and took a taxi home, arriving by 1 am. I went straight to bed, as I would have to work in the morning.  Photo Gallery July 1 |
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