It’s always an exhausting time, to go across the river and take care of all sorts of errands and visits. I don’t know if it’s the stress of crossing the borders with the officialdom and red tape like never before, or if it’s the hot sun, but it seems like when we get home, a glass of cold water and a little rest are like gifts of gold. It’s not that being there is a negative! No! It is great to enjoy our friends who we miss so much, to get to go shopping for a bit more than is available on our side of the river,
and there’s always some fun new thing to smile about – it may be a kitten, a horse, a beautiful flower or well-tended co-op garden.
Our friends there always welcome us so warmly, and often insist that we sit and have a glass of hot sugary tea and maybe something to eat as well, though they hardly can afford it. Warm hospitality is just a given in their culture. I, as an American, have learned much from our friends here. I am thankful for our truck which makes visits possible, and I am thankful for the relative ease (compared to nationals who make the trip across the river either way) with which we travel through all the border checks.
