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| Daniel watching planes at the Panama airport |
It
is a Wednesday afternoon, and I am packed and ready to drive to get on a
plane with my 14-month-old. It is our first trip of the year, fifth
work trip together. Expert in traveling with a toddler that I am, I am
very proud of my ability to fit all of his junk and all of my junk in a
carry-on. I even have my flat iron to do my hair (because since I never
use it at home, somehow I am convinced that at someone else's house, in
between work sessions, I will magically find the time to finally get my
unruly mane under control). I am planning on checking the bag,
nonetheless, because I still haven't figured out how to pull a suitcase
and push a stroller.
We get checked-in, and I kiss the
husband goodbye. For some reason, it looks like things have changed.
Usually, they let us women with babies go first, but not this time. I
have to wait in line like all the other mortals, pushing the baby.
Finally we made it to the window where I have to pay my exit tax. I pay,
not without almost passing out because the fee has tripled since my
last trip. I finally make it to the security checkpoint. And then, I
start the process. With the baby in the stroller, I pull my computer out
and place it in a bin. Then, I take shoes off and whatever else I must
put on the other bin. I then place the baby on the belt, fold the
stroller, and place my bag. It is at this point that the security guard
tells me, "m'am, you can't be on this end... you must move to the other
line." Contrary to wisdom, instead of just complying with what an
airport security agent tells me, the cumulative stress and frustration
of two years of dealing with baby stuff, comes out and I just reply. "NO
I WON'T". And he says "you must go through the other line. " And I
reply, "I'M NOT MOVING ALL MY STUFF." We argue for a couple minutes, and
I find out they have one line for men and one for women, because there is only
one woman security agent that could check me. So, I leave all my stuff there, and walk through the other gate.
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| Daniel being pampered at the tia abuela's house |
All
hassle aside, we made it to the plane and arrived in San Jose at almost
midnight our time. I stayed at my cousin's house, and got to spend the
next day with family. I got to meet the newest member of that clan, baby
Sofi, and I had a lot of fun chatting it up after dinner with my
aunt and cousins. This is one of the perks of traveling to a city where
I have family. I have been going to Costa Rica for the last two years,
about twice a year, and it has been amazing to be able to have a little
family time. I love that the boys have gotten a little
abuelita love from my aunt there.
The
next morning, we drove up to the regional director's house for meetings
for the next three days. It was a time of sharing what miracles we had
seen God do during 2014. It was a time of sharing about how ministry is
going in each country. It was a time to start praying about the future
and how do we move forward with the mission of reaching teenagers. We
got to go to a local club one night, and then the next night we got to
be part of a day camp that the Camp on Wheels had set up for one of the
communities. What an exciting thing to see hundreds of teenagers having
fun with their friends and getting a chance to hear the gospel.
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| Dreaming and planning |
We
left at 1:45 am on Monday morning, to catch our 4:30 flight. I was not
looking forward to spending four hours at the airport with a baby, but
we made it. Our flight home was delayed an hour, since they had to do
some repairs, but both baby and mom were so tired, that I think we did
not notice and slept the whole time. At last, we were home and we spent
last week settling back in, retaking our routine, and planning for the
next adventure that comes in two weeks! So, stayed tuned for the next
trip.
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