Jan 31- Feb 1: Departure and Homeward...

Backpack ready to roll...
left clothes and extra pair
of shoes for someone to select!
Check those mountains in the background! 

Left most of my clothing, extra pair of shoes for someone who has so little... the price of freedom.

Riding in van and on way to airport...
looking out from this side of the wall...

Hoping to get to Annunciation House this morning but didn’t want to stress the system! So caught a ride to airport with 2 families... one heading to Florida and one to Tennessee... while in 3rd seat Ralphie was calling and texting that flight out of El Paso and flight from Chicago had both been cancelled due to weather...  

Yes Deb it will be another adventure!

Playing games while we waited in airport for their flight...
heading to Florida ...note gloves .. 
kids loved these... laughing as we tried to get them on!!!

They were able to reroute me thru Denver then DC (overnight in airport), then arriving in Rochester tomorrow [Friday] a.m... I spent 3 hrs with my family, a beautiful mom and her 10 yr old son... from Honduras... We were playing tic tak toe! They were really good... taught them a stick block game... 

We seemed to gather another woman from Honduras...(then I broke out Spanish translator because questions were too numerous)... Then [we picked up] a man who spoke Portuguese but some English... and 2 men from Guatemala ... Think about it... no money, no phone, no  one who speaks Spanish, and your first time in an airport getting ready to fly!  

No luggage... so hope they make connections! Annunciation House guests get bags packed with sandwiches and snacks for them. Folks were so willing to share them if someone came with no food! They are leading such brave lives... so joyful... gracias gracias gracias... Left El Paso just after they did as our gates we next to each other.... 

So on I went to Denver... and just made connection to Washington DC .... Haven’t spent night in an airport in several years... United folks were wonderful... food vouchers, blanket, overnight kit! Time to rest just like home with basketball game on!!! But Ralphie turns it down.!... 

This entire trip has renewed my hope in man and womankind!!!