A Lesson in Kindness & Patience.

Well, after a more or less three day trip, and some frustrating delays...I have arrived in Xela, Guatemala!

I began my journey on Saturday morning at about 3am, as my family took me to the airport in Chicago. My first flight was delayed an hour due to ¨technical problems¨, but it went fine. I had a 4 hour layover, but I met Jennie, one of my fellow Finca volunteers. We were chatting, making sure to listen to every announcement...no problems. We realized about 10 minutes after our flight was supposed to leave that we had heard nothing about it. I walked around...couldn´t find it on the boards...nada.

Well, it turns out that our flight had changed gates, of course without an announcement, and apparently they made an announcement for final boarding, but we and 8 other people did not hear it! We literally missed the plane by 15 minutes!!! Frustrating to say the least. After a few choice words and some less than polite talks with representatives, we placed ourselves in the re-ticketing line. We remainded here for approximately 2.5 hours...and it must be noted that when we got in line we were only 3rd or 4th in line!

Good news is we were reticketed for Sunday free of charge, but without a place to spend the night. HOWEVER...we made friends in line with an adorable family who lives in Miami, had problems as well, and offered to take us in! I know it probably wasn´t the ¨safest¨idea, but my heart and Jennie´s heart...and our tired bodies said...YES! It was the best decision ever. This family was so kind...they took us, let us swim in their man-made, backyard pond (seriously), ordered great pizza for us, and gave us a great bed! It was just what we needed. We arrived to the airport way on time on Sunday...and made our flight...everything great. Oh and our luggage, which was on the plane the day before, was still there! Amazing.

Once we arrrived, Gilda, a great woman, picked us up from the airport and took us to her home/hostel. She is awesome. Her and her two daughters speak perfect English and were so accomidating! They made us dinner, drove us to the bus station (making sure tha we were all set) and were just beautiful people!

SO...after a 4.5 hour long, super bumpy bus ride on something that resembled a road, we are her in Xela safe and sound! We went briefly to our school, but I am anxious to get started tomorrow.

So, with all that being said...I am happy to be here and hopeful for the future months. Pray I can aquire this language! Much love!