North of the Rio Grande

We made it back.  We were zipped through immigration in Texas so that we could catch our flight, but the official insisted on speaking to us in Spanish several times.  We have obviously become Chilean in our two weeks abroad.  At SFO we stepped off the plane and Hannah made a beeline for Peet's Coffee for a bran muffin and a large cup of the strong stuff.  You can take a girl out of California, but...

The chocolates and biscuits Silvi sent us with didn't even survive to San Francisco, and we popped the bottle of Chilean Champagne at lunchtime to alleviate some of our mourning for the country through alcohol consumption.  Always a constructive way to do things.

Massive thanks to Pete and Fini and Pepita, Raimundo and Tere and Teresita, and our wonderful hosts Ignacio and Silvi and Ignacito.  We have had a mind-bogglingly huge adventure through deserts, cities, coasts, earthquakes, Spanish, etc. and it was made what it was by the wonderful company and kindness to us by them all.  When California finally kicks us out, we'll head south.

Final, tearful (from us!) goodbye.  Ignacito is very relieved to get his bedroom back.

Back at SFO with coffee and muffin in hand.

Toasting a wonderful holiday with some Chilean bubbly.  Until next time...