Dad and I received our wake up call at 2:45 am in Miami and this is where our day started.

I had the best traveling experience ever and the people I met along the way are the reason why.....

Once thru the ticket line, and with ticket in hand, I headed for my security check at the Miami airport. My dad reminded me one last time that the highway from Pensacola to Miami ran both ways....back to Pensacola I could go if I so chose. I decided to continue forward to central america.

I made it thru security with no major festivities. I do thank my friend, Matt, for pushing me to only pack one mid-sized pack and take it as a carry on... do not check it. I followed his sage advice.

Once at the gate the very nice lady that gave me my ticket at the counter also checked me thru the gate with a friendly "Hello Rebecca!". I rambled onto the plane with my midsize pack and got to my seat. Since my carry on baggage was a little more than everyone elses a very nice gentleman standing behind me offered his help in stuffing my bag into the overhead compartment. Already I am meeting nice people!

My flight was rather uneventful and my layover in Panama City went smoothly. Funny thing... I unloaded from my plane on the tarmac and loaded onto my next plane on the tarmac. No air conditioned, automated walkways here. ha ha

Once in Guatemala City I was a little anxious. My declarations for customs were filled out and ready to be presented. A rather ominous looking group of armed men dressed in black military uniforms stood guard just past the customs agents. My pack on my back I was stamped for a 90 day visit. I am completely innocent but walking past these gentlemen made me feel guilty all the same. I looked sheepishly into the face of one of them and hurried by. I watched as fellow travelers had their luggage looked thru while I simply sailed by with my one carry on bag on my back. Thank you Matt!

I went to the bank and traded my dollars for quetzals and then stepped outside. The first person in uniform I asked "how do I get to the bus for Xela?" and he pointed me to a taxi.

David, my taxi driver, was very helpful and pleasant. While driving me to the bus station he gave me an impromptu spanish lesson. I want my change, how much, I´m hungry, where is the bathroom, and bless you were his phrases of opportunity. Once at the bus station, after crazy crazy traffic driving and laughter at my oh´s and ah´s of surprise, he waited with me in the car until the nice bus to Xela arrived. He stepped out of the car, waved down my bus, and got me on board. Unfortunately, in all the hub bub, I did not tip David for all of his help and kindness. If any of you see David please thank him graciously for me. I did send him with blessings that I hope will help him more than a few quetzals would have.

Once on the bus I watched Guatemala pass before my eyes. On the bus is a luggage handler and ticket taker. He yells at people waiting for buses to try and round up fares for his driver. He also loads luggage on the bus since the bus barely stops for the passengers but rather slows down enough for them to jump on. It was amazing and obviously hard work. I am impressed already with the Guatemalan people!

A 4 1/2 hour bus ride later and I was in the central bus station in Xela. I got a little nervous about how to get to my hotel so I talked to a patron on the bus and she talked to the luggage handler. By the time I was ready to get off the bus the luggage handler picked up my bag and politely asked me to follow him. I did and he handed my bag to a gentleman standing at the bus door with my hotel address. This guy took my bag and the address I had provided to a taxi driver. They told me the price, loaded my bag, and away I went. Now this all sounds nice and easy but this bus station is a madhouse of activity. There are vendors, buses honking, luggage guys yelling, people getting on and off busses, and all kinds of mayhem. However these kind people made my time in it all very pleasant. Many thanks to those men.

Once in the taxi I went directly to my hotel and peered out the window at my new home of Xela. It is huge.... about 150,000 people or more. But the people are beautiful, colorful, small in stature, all hard at work, and busy busy busy in the streets. I told the taxi driver that everyone drives crazy and he laughed and agreed.

At my hotel, Casa Kaehler, the owner answered my ring at the door and took my luggage. I paid the taxi fare and went to my room. For a nice price of $8 I had a lovely room with two beds, my own key, and a wonderful nights sleep.

Before drifting off I sent emails to let everyone know I had made it ok and ate some dinner. Then headed to my room for a head full of "what in the hell was I thinking coming here by myself.... who is going to share this with me? Why did I decide to do this?" and reconsidering, albeit a little too late, my dad´s offer to take the highway back to Pensacola. Toto... we are a looooooong way from home now. I figured a good nights sleep would set me straight... so off I went.
I looked at my watch when I turned out the lights...8:30pm and when I awoke.... 7am. I was exhausted!