Steve Romeyn picked Hunter and me up early yesterday (Sunday) morning to take us to the airport! He called the night before with the offer. That was such a help and a great ride. As always, we had way more luggage that any two humans can handle so not having to schlep it all from parking made the start of the trip so much easier. (Yes, Steve, I gave Eli two big hugs already! She looks great and is as happy as her emails to you and Carlyn indicate.) Hunter and I both managed to get upgraded on our flight to San Pedro Sula. Another bonus on an otherwise very long travel day. We spent about an hour in line for immigration. A very nice young Honduran man filled the time with the saga of his life and family, both in Honduras and in VA where he was working. There is very little we don't know now. :)
So, the SAP airport has been spruced up a bit, I assume because of the increased traffic after TGU closed due to the plane crash. The result is that the bus office and the bus station are on extreme opposite sides of the airport. So, once again, we are hauling massive amounts of luggage all over the airport. We have 4 HUGE pushing 50 lbs each suitcases - one of which is HOT PINK; a sewing machine, a large hiking backpack, a small carryone suitcase, and my large tote bag. The bus trip to the terminal (wait 1.5 hrs) and then to Tegucigalpa was fine. The bus is air conditioned and comfortable. The scenery driving across Honduras was lovely too - it is the rainy season so everything was lush and very green.
Once we got to the bus terminal in Tegu we had an opportunity to experience once again the generosity and kindness of the Hondurans. Of course, it was dark by this point and there was a little snafu about which terminal the bus would go to...not the same one Danilo and Wheeler drove to to meet us! Anyway, an armed guard was there and a dear woman, Suapa, would not let her family leave until she saw that we were all set.
Wheeler bounded out of the truck - hale and hearty! (Wheeler, to those new to this blog is our 88 yr old missionary. He made his first trip at 84 after the death of his wife of 61 years and was so moved to come back as a full time missionary.) We had a great dinner (as usual...forget the idea of losing weight here.) with Wheeler and Eli (Elizabeth, a 20 something delight about to finish up college and then come teach in Central America, ultimately for LAMB) - lots of hooting and laughter as we all caught up.
Today we go to San Buenaventura (SBV) I can't wait to see the kids, the progress made on site, and the playground equipment which I had come to believe would NEVER arrive. (Jess - i love you i love you i love you)
That's all for now. I have already had my first cup of great Honduran coffee and am ready for cup two. Wheeler and I (less likely Hunter and Eli will join us) will do morning prayer at 7, breakfast at 7:30 and then we're off. I hope to write and upload pix tonight.
Hope all is well there!
Hasta la vista,
Amanda
