Oct 3rd 2010
Hi all. I have arrived in my first country of Guatemala. Let me back up first. Saying all my goodbyes were not easy. I’m still so thankful for this opportunity. Who gets to travel around the world for 11 months? Thanks to everyone that has supported me. I will miss all my family and friends and am already counting the days until I come home (and this is only day one!). I have flown or been in an airport having a layover for the past 24 hours. The flights were all great except for the one when I was sitting in front of a small child that kept kicking my seat. Thankfully that was a short one. Anyone who knows me knows that I have NO problem sleeping. I can sleep anywhere at any time and had some beautiful sleep on the flights. I met most of the rest of my squad in LA. The team leaders had flown ahead. It was strange seeing everyone that I hadn’t seen since training camp. The first person I saw was Sarah Anderson. She was my bunk mate at camp and came to find me (I was lost) and rescue me with a cart. The airport carts are the best thing ever when you have a giant backpack. Before she got to me, I had already rode the bus around in a complete circle. Turns out I was at the stop I was supposed to be before I got on the bus. It was so great to see Sarah. She made fun of my outfit. I deserved it as I did (and still do) look like a zoo keeper. Sarah of coarse was wearing pink, a color I brought none of and she will most likely be in everyday. Love you Sarah.
Next was the bathroom trip. All plumbing is not created equal. Don’t forget and flush your TP when you aren’t in America anymore. Enough said. Finally we all arrive in Antigua, Guatemala. It’s beautiful here. Surrounded by mountains. Great weather. It’s really a little chilly. I’m just so thankful we all made it with all of our packs! The packs were all piled on top of the vans and we were off the hostel . I’m in my room at the hostel now as I type this. I’m loving that for now we have a bathroom. Hoping that continues, knowing it won’t.
It’s been nice seeing Allan, Cassie, Jake, Christy, and Alex again. This is my lovely team, if you didn’t know. These five are the people that I will live with and do everything with for the rest of the time. You can follow their blogs too. Just had lunch with my team. We will be here until Tuesday and then splitting up and heading off to our location to do whatever it is we will be doing.
I won’t be online for at least the next 48 hours. We are doing a fast from all things electronic. I’m not super excited about this to be honest, but am trying to just go with it. There will be times where we have no way to communicate and this is supposed to get us ready for that. I’m sure like some things, I won’t understand while having to do them, but will learn something through it all. I’m sure we will be busy with other things too. I’m so sleepy. May try to nap before church tonight. Hopefully I can send this loooong blog. The internet connection is bad, but there is a internet café across the street that should work. Love you all!
Oh I almost forgot my pancake part. Christy woke me up on the plane for breakfast. I told her to wake me up for food and water and she did a great job. I know what’s important and that poor girl couldn’t sleep. The best pancakes! They had these hot apples with them. I thought in that moment that I just might make it J.
