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On September 13, we headed out again taking the bus ride to Guat City.  We stayed at Los Torres, a nice little hotel in Zone 10 (Guat City is sectioned in zones, gringos avoid Zone 1, not exactly safe). On Thursday morning we saw Dr. Karen, and walking to the hospital next door, we had blood work and other tests done. The hospital experience was quite the experience, and one we will both remember.  At 4pm, we went back to see Dr. Karen to receive our results.  Yes, it was that fast.  She saw both of us at the same time and Aaron had one parasite and I somehow had three.  Aaron had probably killed the others with mas rum.  She said we most likely got them by eating or drinking the water.  Very most likely by the ice.  A lot of places do not use purified water to make ice.  She wrote up prescriptions and on our walk back to the hotel, we stopped and picked up our bag of goodies and that night we started taking medicine to kill the parasites.  It is a 3 day, twice a day regiment.  I was also put on antibiotics for five days.  We didn't have any energy to do much, other than walking to restaurants to eat.

 On Sunday, we flew back to the states. for a two week visit flying into Miami, staying with our good friend Marc in Ft Lauderdale, and visiting Jeff and Cindy (S/V Island Link)  in Stuart, Fl.  We unknowingly met Jeff and Cindy in San Pedro, Belize one morning as they sailed by our boat to inform us that our dinghy had runaway during the night to our surprise..

They had responsibly taken care of the situation and now our dinghy was locked up on shore awaiting our presence. We fretted and worried just like parents do when their kid is in jail. Aaron hitched a ride into shore and made bail ($40 was all he had in his wallet).  We promised to be better dinghy parents as she came back home.  Our first week at Mario's Marina, we met Jeff and Cindy at Happy Hour and over the course of our conversation discovered that we had already met in Belize when we were telling them how our dinghy had somehow runaway one night and this nice couple on a catamaran had told us our dinghy was ashore and to see Ramon.  Jeff looked at Cindy and started laughing and said that that was them and our friendship began right where it had ended.

                 
   We visited our home state of Kansas next and stayed with Jessica (Aarons daughter) and Jeff and our four grandkids, Hunter (7), Chase (6), Drew (4) and Ellie (2).  Our grandkids kept us busy:

 playing basketball, golf, having tea parties, watching the boys play soccer, and celebrating Drew's 4th birthday, our days were full of fun.  During our stay, we visited other family members and enjoyed the get together at Highfill's Hall, (Lyla's family) as we sang karaoke and ate good ole homemade food.

  The next evening was a gathering of friends and family at Dr. Craig's. It was another great time poolside (too chilly for a swim), as we all chatted up and caught up with the latest news over Jell-O shots.

  The reason we had made the trip back was to see Jason (Aaron's son) and his new bride, Salena who had just returned from St. Lucia where they were married.  Over a family dinner at Jessica's, they shared their experience with us thru photos and a video.  What a gorgeous wedding it was and we were thrilled to welcome Salena into our family.

  As always, there is never enough time and our visit was much to short. But it was great to touch base with our Kansas roots, good for our souls and we left rejuvenated filled with love and support.
   Back in Ft. Lauderdale, it was a rush to get all the required equipment we needed to replace what the lightning had damaged.  Plus, all those extra goodies that you can only get in the states, like Crystal Lite cranberry drink, pocketsize bug spray w/Deet.  We had to buy another suitcase in order to haul everything back.  (Thanks Marc for all your help and hospitality, he isn't nicknamed Dad for nothing!)  We did enjoy our fast food while we were back in the states, a Wendy's double hamburger for Aaron and a chicken filet sandwich for me was a must before we left.  The normal amount of time to await being served food is much more of a wait if you are outside of the states, sometimes as much as an hour.  But hey, you are where you are and the adjustment to time not being a rush but rather truly enjoyed is a way of life.