(oops, this one has been sitting on my laptop for a while unposted.)

Dia Ocho

We arrived back at the Lima airport for the trip home.  Our flight was scheduled to leave shortly after midnight.  This flight is often late because the flight arriving from Atlanta and the time to get the plane ready can affect our departure time.

We checked in and went through the baggage weighing ritual.  They had a scale earlier in the queue so we were able to preweigh and adjust as necessary.  Some of the mission group had to adjust.  All of our family’s bags were 16-17kg which is just under 40 pounds so we were great to go.  We have half the luggage going home since one of the bags going was for the mission and also some of the clothing we wore during the week were donated.

It was a bit difficult at this point because Tori was on a different airline and couldn’t check in for another 2 hours.  I felt a little helpless because I would have liked to see her through more of the check-in process but it logistically wasn’t possible due to the flight schedules.

We then went through the paying of departure tax. This year for the first time, Delta gave us the departure stamps at check in so we didn’t have to wait in a separate line to get them.  We just showed the stamps and went on.  Emigration and security check went quickly and easily.  Shortly we were at gate side.

We were relived when the arriving flight showed up on time.  Fortunately, there was a wireless signal in the airport that was not secured and I was able to view flights.  Tori’s flight still appeared to be on time also.

Sure enough, we boarded and left only slightly late.  The flight was a bit bumpy but I slept through most of it.  It was very foggy when we arrived in Atlanta.  I later found out that many flights were delayed because of the fog.  Immigration and customs were quick and easy.  We then found our gate which had changed since we checked in of course.  The home stretch was uneventful and we arrived home in the late morning.  It had been a good trip but it was also good to be home.