It's really happening! I just purchased my plane tickets for Guatemala. (Now I'm just waiting for my credit card company to call or freeze my account.) Buying plane tickets is like the ultimate bargain hunting job. Call me crazy, but I think I definitely got the cheapest deal out there. That said, any donations are being wisely used! There still remains in the back of my mind that little voice that says... just wait until you get to the airport and they add a fee for everything from checked bags, to carry-ons. Even RyanAir (the renowned cheapest airline around) talked of adding fees for toilet use. After an uproar from passengers they recanted saying "we were only kidding".
I'll be flying out of Minneapolis super early on July 31st and arriving in Guatemala City that afternoon after a transfer in Miami. It's about a day earlier than I expected, but for safety reasons I decided it be best to arrive the same day as one of my fellow missionaries. There is also only one flight each day that arrives early enough in the day that I don't have to worry about taking a four hour bus ride at night.
I've done my fair share of traveling on my own, but there are a lot of firsts with this particular arrival. The last time I packed my life into suitcases for any extended period (5 months) I was heading to England. The massive amounts of luggage I and my classmates had made it a dead giveaway that we we're travelers.
However, it was at least a country that I could speak the language (for the most part) and as a pale redhead I pretty much fit in as English or at least Irish. This time around I will have plenty of luggage, but in no way will be mistaken as a local returning home. I could very well be the only pale redhead many in Guatemala have ever seen. Then there is the whole language thing... as I've said, the Taco Bell dog speaks better Spanish than I do. So all in all it is a good thing I was able to get the flight that I did.
I'll also be flying back to Minneapolis August 22nd a few days ahead of my sister's wedding. It will be a whirlwind weekend and I'll be flying back to Guatemala with my one-way ticket the following Monday. Although, I don't expect to blend in any better the 2nd time around I can say with confidence my Spanish speaking skills will at least be enough to upstage the taco dog!
Make today your best day,
~Kit
No comments:
Post a Comment