Goodbye, Shalom, and Farewell (and a special tour) (Saturday - Sunday)

Saturday, Anna Rachel left to go back to Boston.  Back to the "real world".  Far, far away.

It was a sad moment when we dropped her off at the airport.  I've now been so often that I know the way from Condado del Rey.  I know where we turn, and where to expect traffic (the toll booth on the Corridor Sur)  I know when we are approaching the airport - both in excitement and, as today, in sadness.

I was also reminded of my own upcoming journey.  When I returned from the airport, I began packing in earnest.  Over the next week, I rejiggered my bags many times.  It was both elating because it meant I'd be seeing David - and Rufus in the interim since David would be away for 2 weeks after my return as he was on an around-the-world business trip for Google.

On Sunday, I went to Balboa Union Church for the last time.

I wished I had arranged something in advance because I really wanted to thank the folks there for being such a supportive community.  But I hadn't, so I decided to 'wing it" anyway and sang "Shalom Chaverim"  I wish I had been able to do it this well:
Shalom Chaverim

After church, I went to Il Nonno with the Maduros.  What a wonderful family!  We had a great meal and I had pizza for the next night's dinner.  It was the final game of the World Cup (a very big deal here in Panama!) and Carlos was anxious to get home so he could watch it.  So we scurried to get him home as close to on time as possible.

And then we took a tour of the Avenue of The Pushbuttons.

What a hoot!  We laughed and laughed!

And I even got back in time to see the final minutes and overtime in the final game where Germany beat Argentina.

What a day!  What a weekend!