The U.S.A. was calling me to come home!  It was time for a trip to visit family and friends.  It's hard to visit everyone; they're all spread out in 3 different states.   On this trip I concentrated on a visit with childhood friends in Florida and a visit to family in Arkansas.  The rest will sadly have to wait until the next trip.   (Update - little did I know that would not happen for awhile with the outbreak of COVID-19.)
    I will have to say that the trip from Montevideo, Uruguay to Miami, Florida was the absolute worst.  The flight was fine; it left on time from Montevideo.  I sat with a group of 20 urologists all traveling to Miami for a medical convention.  They were a fun bunch and a delight.  Uruguay being small, of course my seat mate knew a mutual friend!  
   The problems started as we landed in Miami.  You must pick up luggage before going through Customs.  We were sent to an area with NO bathrooms, no seating, and no access to water or food.  And there we stood for 2 and 1/2 hours waiting.  I was hotter than a firecracker and needed to pee like a racehorse!  We then formed a very long line of tired, angry travelers, all of whom missed flight connections.  URrrgh!!!
   I'd love to say the rest of the trip went smoothly.  It didn't, with typical Florida thunderstorms, heat, and mosquitoes.  I did, however, love seeing my two best childhood friends and their husbands on Longboat Key.  I got up early every morning and watched the birds and fishermen on the beach.
   Getting to Little Rock was a breeze in comparison and I absolutely adored seeing our son, daughter, and granddaughter.  I love them all so very much.  They were the best hosts, ever!!!  We went out to eat all my favorite foods, we played board games, I read stories to my granddaughter, and we even had a pedicure!
    Visits are a reverse culture shock.  Everything in the U.S. is so busy and loud!  I hear English everywhere!  Gotta love these trips.
   Update:  I am beyond grateful to the Universe that I chose to see my childhood friends on this trip.  One of them passed away suddenly in 2022.  I'm so blessed that he and I had this time together in Florida.  We sat on the beach every morning drinking our coffee and chatting.  He was a dear friend for over 50 years and always there for me no matter what.  I will miss him terribly.  As destiny would have it, his grandson is staying in Uruguay this year (2022) on a college Study Abroad program!