I yawned and stretched.  The morning light was seeping around the curtains on our patio/balcony door.  It was the last morning in this comfortable bed and luxurious room.  A twinge of regret struck my heart as I prepared myself for our departure today.  But there was no rush.  We could enjoy these last hours before checkout at 11 am.
I gathered stray items drying on the balcony.  Leaning on the rail, I listened to the small birds that sang in the bush surrounding our hotel block.  The clear blue sky glowed with the rising sun.  I breathed in the slightly salty air, trying to store in my memory bank these wonderful sensations that would disappear quickly once we landed on Canadian soil.
Since our lovely room didn't have a coffee maker or microwave, we had to find our morning coffee and meal at the International Buffet.  But we looked forward to seeing Jorge once more and say "good-bye".  We found a table in Jorge's section and tried to cram in as much conversation and exchange e-mails to keep in touch.  Walter had suggested I pack a  sandwich as it would be a long stretch between meals today.  I wrapped the simple cheese and bread in a paper napkin.  We took a picture of Walter and Jorge, then hugged our new brother in farewell!
What to do on our last morning?  We took a few pictures around the grounds of the resort.  Honestly, I can't recall anything specific we did except wander around leisurely.  We were basically packed.  Just carrying our luggage to the front lobby and wait for the bus to take us the 1 1/2 hours back to Santa Clara Airport.
Waiting in the lobby for about an hour, we chatted with our Regina friends who had lost their luggage.  They did receive their missing bag the next day.  Air Transat had only carried it to Veradero so they sent it back to Cayo Santa Marie via taxi!  Impressive.  We chatted comfortably with them and with a mother/daughter from Hodgeville, Sk.  The girl was in highschool curling so we had a passion in common.
Finally, the shuttle arrived and we loaded onto the bus.  The return trip was pleasant.  Walter sat in the window seat and snapped some good shots of the local scenery and the unique architecture in the passing villages.  We passed through Jorge's village of Coumanjaia( sp?) and prayed that God would touch this community by His Spirit!  And if we were to return someday, that God would so direct us  I nibbled on my dry bread and cheese sandwich, sipping water to wash it down.  I was thankful for the snack as we weren't sure what the airport had by way of food services.
Soon, we turned off the main highway and headed towards the airport.  The highways were exceptionally narrow but of good quality.  We double-checked our passport and visa that we needed to show to leave the country.  This part always makes me nervous!  We saw the line-ups for the immigration officers and stood in one.  Only two were open, yet we saw many airport employees everywhere.  Some were visiting, having snacks, laughing.  Somehow, it seemed unprofessional, but in other ways, things were quite formal and official.  Eventually a couple more booths opened and the tourists flowed through more quickly.
On the other side of the door that the officer buzzed open, we passed through security, which was less strict than any Canadian or American security.  Then we were seated in a large, open area.  There was a duty-free store with rum and cigars and of all things, Pringles potato chips among other souvenir type items.  There also was a restaurant of sorts.  Walter went to find himself some food.  I just wanted more water.  It felt like a long wait there; but waiting was better than rushing or feeling like we may risk missing our flight!
The seats were typical airport style.  The walls were an odd orange colour and then some turquoise shade of trim.  Seemed very "island" in decor.  People poured in the entrance way from security in spurts.  Then one flight loaded, directly through a sliding patio door that led to the tarmac.  The plane simply waited in front of the airport and people loaded up the stairs.
Finally our flight was called.  We boarded, found our seats, which were both window seats on the opposite sides of the aisle!  Oh, well!  Walter and I had things to read so we would be fine for the five hour flight.  But first we hopped over to Veradero where a few passengers disembarked and a few others were added.  I saw a guy I recognized.  It was a coworker of Daniel's from Town N Country (who also went to highschool with our kids), but he was too far away to greet.  All our passengers were flying to Regina, so it makes sense we may see someone we recognized.
Our flight was uneventful.  We flew back over Florida.  We had a screen showing our progress and places we were flying over.  As the day was drawing to a close, we passed over the city of St. Louis lit up in the darkness.  A lovely sight!
I read, rested and began to prepare myself for re-entry home.
Finally, after the captain announced the initial descent into YQR, I felt that familiar rush of excitement:  home!  I tried to keep reading my Kindle but my interest was gone.  I gazed out the window, hoping for any signs of recognizable landmarks.  The final descent brought us down and into the Regina Airport.  The landing was smooth.
We were home.