One last blog - Monday, July 26 - Day 15 ... into Tuesday morning, July 27
Our last day in Santiago was a relaxing one for us. It was a "sleep in" day, which meant that if you wanted any breakfast you had to be up by 8am.
We were.
Sunshine was bright again and although there was frost on the ground, the weather promised a high of around 20 degrees....what to wear to travel home??!
It felt as if our bodies (subconsciously) were already re-climatizing back to our home temperatures, because none of us were cold at breakfast!
After breakfast, some of us packed, some of us walked around the grounds, some of us sat in the sun and tried to get a Santiago winter sunburn.
We had reserved a taxi to pick us up at 1:30 and we (Karen included) all planned to go to the airport and hang out there, have lunch, etc. until our flights left. Ours was to leave at 6:35pm.
We enjoyed our last relaxing moments together in the sun, sipping some wine and munching on olives from the Azapa Valley - (compliments of our friends in Arica) and for those who distain olives and shy away from wine, Lay's ripple chips and Coke "Cero" were on hand.
We were indeed laughed at in our sleeveless shirts and jacketless bodies. Workers on the grounds were still bundled up!
At the airport we couldn't check in until 3:30, so we found a place to have lunch, surrounding by our carts of luggage and Karen joined us for wee cup of coffee before she left for her flight at 3.
We finished lunch, checked in, and after passing through security to the gates without issue, we saw a familiar face coming toward us. Karen! Her flight was delayed and was also leaving around 6:30. More time to visit! Yay!
Our flight was on time, the weather beautiful and the full moon last night lit up the earth below. We hoped to sleep much during the 11 hour flight to Toronto. AND turbulence was not an issue (Thanks for your prayers on that one!)
We arrived at Toronto about 5:30am, passed through immigration and customs without incident (all bags intact) and headed off to Tim Horton's for a Canadian cup of "dropping" coffee. We were on home soil!
Last flight for home left at 8:20 EST and arrived in Regina a few minutes late - 9:45am. We're home! A wonderful "welcome home" crew was waiting with a sign, flowers and hugs and kisses! Thank you!! Your love for us is overwhelming!
Over the next weeks we will be going through pictures and with the Home Team we will be planning an evening to share our trip with all you bloggers and supporters.
Thank you for joining us each day on this blog! Every night we would rush home to see who had responded to our posts. You all were very much on this trip with us.
We also thank the Father who made this opportunity and fantastic experience possible.
All the glory goes to You, Lord.
love,
Ramona, Carrie, Dennis, Carole & Dave
ps - We made the Diocesan Newsletter in Arica! It's in Spanish! Check out the link:
Have posted the English translation under "About Us".
