Translation of velorio

The machine arrived in Cuba at nine and it was already dark. The border control was nothing like the one in Mexico. They were communist and one could see the strictness and uneasiness of them.
The climb was much exhausting than I had presumed. I had forgotten that we were at high altitude where there is less oxygen and that every step required double effort. It was a great exercise.
El calafate airport was a mess. The airport was as big as a hotel lobby, but packed with people and all the luggage came at the same time in the same place. An officer checked the baggage receipt to avoid theft.