Home Again

A long travel day, one that is the busiest in the year in the US, went pretty well for us. It started before 6, when Molli and Adrian went to pick up the Suburban we rented so we could all drive to Veracruz together. We left the house, all packed and dressed with minimal stress, before 7:30. Goodbye, Osa! Goodbye, Xalapa!

On our way to Veracruz, we stopped at a restaurant they like a lot, where everything is cooked over a fire, and it's very inexpensive. It is at Serra Bossa (probably I have the name wrong), where there was a battle with the French. They have cannon balls found on site on display at the restaurant. We had beans and tortillas and cheese and meat and drinks and went on our way.

The airport at Veracruz is small, so not only were we checked in very quickly, but we were treated like minor celebrities to some extent. We had time to sit in a bar all together for a while longer (I ordered sangria--they asked if I wanted vodka in it, which is what they usually do). Then we went through security, with Abuelo in the wheelchair. When there weren't four seats together, they let us into what might have been the first class section, where we were the only ones sitting.

The smallish plane was full and a little bumpy, but we arrived safely in Houston and disembarked. With the wheelchair, we had two or three different people pushing, plus a cart ride in the middle. It was a long way from one terminal to the other, via customs and immigration, with a little waiting, but we still had plenty of time before our next flight and no problems.

I have to say, it was good to get back in the USA and be able to flush the toilet paper! It took a while to get through the Atlanta aiport and get all our suitcases. Ray went for the car at the Park and Ride lot. Then the real fun began--fitting four big checked bags, plus four carry-ons and "personal items" into the Prius, with four people. But that wasn't the hardest part. Then we drove to Buford to pick up Elisa from the home of the family that took her to Florida. We had to fit one more big bag and one more person (with purse and giant Biology book she never opened)--I don't know how Ray did it.


We arrived in Athens before 10 and unloaded the car. Kevin came to get Amelia and Ray drove Mudge home. I did some minor unpacking, turned the heat on, and climbed happily into bed. Ray was back in about 40 minutes and we were really happy to be home safe and sound.