Fond Farewells...

And so, after a very eventful packed out 3 weeks, we spent Leanna's last night with us at the Pender's house eating Costa Rican grub, singing karaoke and playing Apples to Apples. I couldn't believe it when that was the game that Karen pulled out of her bag. Our last few nights in the Creek back in Cali we played that same game. Some things really are universal, aren't they? We got to met a brother and a sister from the English hall in Rotterdam, and as Leanna will attest, we met a brother who is the male version of LaTanya. Brother's got the moves, and pipes to bring down the house! Actually, we asked if the neighbors ever complained about the noise they make when singing Karaoke because it's an apartment that shares walls, but apparently the talent they bring in keeps them happy :) The other entertainment of the evening was provided by Monica's cat Mina, an adorable and very friendly British Shorthair mix kitten who likes to smell feet, and chase plushy mice around the room.

Leanna's flight left in the morning, so we didn't have much time the next day to do anything but head to the airport. Leanna's "strippencard" was just about maxed out, and loaded down with gifts and sweaters, I think she was ready to get back home. Adventure after adventure can't take the place of solid routine when it comes down to it.

I had hoped to finally be able to visit the small Rembrandt Museum housed at Schiphol, but instead I had to settle for a visit to the somewhat international airport grocery store that we lived off of when we were first in town ourselves. Turns out that you have to be on the other side of the security gate to get to the museum. So, maybe Leanna got to see it! After waving goodbye to Leanna, watching as she made her way through passport security (with a passport now boasting gobs of Amsterdam stamps, no Italy stamp even though we asked for one, and a couple of Zurich stamps), I turned back to the bus stop and back to my own routine.

Matt and I still call the guest room Leanna's bedroom...