Arduous Journey

I kinda guessed this journey might be off to an interesting adventure when our first flight was canceled before we even got to Minnesota. Thankfully American was nice and got us rescheduled on a 0705 flight. So, at 0400 this morning we woke up and had an amazing fresh coffee cake compliments of Jason (Hailey's stepdad). At the airport we were lucky enough to run in Kris Jetzer who got us amazing seats on our first flight. After a nice 1 hour and 49 minute nap - we landed in Dallas and spent the next 3 hours walking around. On the bright side - the bar at Bennigan's was showing the Badger game, so we got to see the game up until half time. The flight from Dallas to Belize City was delayed about 15 minutes because it was being inspected by "security". Once in the air we were excited again to be leaving the country. Touching down in Belize it was a blamy 78 degrees farenheit (I need to work on my ability to convert from celsius...). Once through the ridiculous clulster that was immigration and customs we stood in line for at least 45 minutes waiting at the Tropic Air counter to get our flight to Punta Gorda. There was this one guy working the counter who was extremely nice and helpful. He took our bags, helped us get our flight - really took care of us. After all this waiting, it started down-pouring and our plane decided not to come to the airport... So with some help from the extremely nice staff we ran into another student headed to the clinic too (I'm actually sitting in the hotel talking with him and Hailey). We got a ride to the Global Village Hotel in Belize City where the staff was also extremely helpful and got us into the hotel safely. With the free internet up and running, Hailey and I headed out in search of dinner. Attempting not to get run over (Belize has no sidewalks) and avoiding the hooligans at the local bar, we ducked into a chinese restaurant about a block from the hotel. There was ordered our food and had our first Belikens (Belizean beer). Also got to see our first lizard on the wall there. Walked back to the hotel again trying not to get run over and ran into some people we had met at the Belize International Airport. First thing she said, "Where'd you get the beer?". The entire hotel lobby is full of people we met at the airport who also had their flights canceled. So we ate dinner with them. Now we've been chilling in the hotel talking with the other student. We've got a flight to Punta Gorda in the morning - 1030 and will hopefully not have any further troubles. It's been a very interesting trip so far and we're only on the first day. I can't wait for the rest.

Finally

Well I did it. I got everything packed (Qualifier: my backpack is not packed but it is meant to be the last thing to be packed). I'm actually fairly proud of myself. I've only got 3 bags total: 1 checked bag at 54 linear inches and 40lbs, 1 carry-on at 34 linear inches and 25lbs, and 1 personal item (i.e. backpack). I don't think I have ever packed this light before. And as far as I can tell I haven't forgotten anything. Although I guess I'll know that for certain once I get down there.

I can hardly believe that by this time on Saturday I will be in Central America. Hailey and I are leaving WI tomorrow, then saying "goodbye" to the US on Saturday. We've got a 0845 flight on American from MSP to DFW, then a 1305 flight on American from DFW to BZE!!! I feel like I've been waiting forever for this trip to get here. These tickets were purchased back in August, and that was after months of following ticket prices on Kayak.

This may be my last post while in the US for awhile. I'll make sure to update as often as possible - hopefully there will be a first night/morning post when we arrive.

Wish us safe travels!

Packing

I'm currently living on a couch in the living room of "my" apt. It's tough not having your own space and trying to pack up things for the month you're not going to be in the country while at the same time deciding what you're bringing to Belize and how you're going to find everything you need in the mean time. I feel like I'm in this strange limbo. This isn't really my apt, it's not even my couch, and yet it's my bedroom. I've commandeered a space behind the couch too that currently holds the disaster that is my attempt at packing. I'm such an organized person that I can't even look at the mess behind the couch without shuddering. I have no clue where to start, and with T-minus three days to departure I need to get to work on packing: NOW. I've resolved to keep it simple - not take more than I need - not over pack. I'm limiting my luggage to 2 medium bags and 1 carry-on. I think I can manage... right? Most of you know me and my packing abilities (or lack thereof) - any comments? :-D