true life planet

So, I leave in half an hour for the airport.
I am sorry to say that for all my planning, this last day has been a mad rush.
Thanks to all of you who have helped me-you know who you are!
Flights:
Leave SFO to LAX on Oct 30th.7:25 pm
Arrive LAX on Oct 30th. 8:55 pm
Flight # is 7784, flying on Express Jet Airlines(Delta)
Leave LAX to Guatemala City, La Aurora Airport on Oct 30th. 11:25pm
Arrive GUA October 30t1st, 5:07 am(CST)
Flight 2003, flying on Taca Int. Airlines(United)
Should be Xela by the afternoon(taking the bus)
Email contact for where I’m going is cdl.elnahual@gmail.com..this is the school’s #, not my personal #.
I’ll find an internet cafe in a few days and blog away!!!!.

Things I will miss about small town life in Winters, California:(in no particular order)

1. Being able to walk down the street at any time of day or night
2. Living on “Main Street”
3. Having the best coffee in the world right next door,Steady Eddy’s Coffeehouse!
4. Having people remember my name, say hello to me
5. Friends
6. Smell of breakfast in the morning, wafting in from the cafe
7. dogwalks by the creek
8. friendly bank tellers
9. driving my car out of town, going thru the towns one stoplight!
10.the wonderful Hispanic ladies I work with

Yesterday was my very last day at work. For over a year I have worked multiple jobs, some at odd hours, to pay for this trip. It was extremely strange to realize that as of today I would be-unemployed! Today I ws thinking how much of my time is generally taken up by work,schedules,time management…basically MOST of my time for the past year. I liked my jobs, but it will be nice to not have to have a regular job for awhile.
Now I will be working-if you can call volunteering working-but it will be so much different. I will get to spend my time doing what I am most passionate about-helping people.
[read on]

Earlier on this site, I posted my packing list…Guess what? After I road-tested it in real life, I’ve made alot of changes.
What I learned from a real-life test:

1. Some things washed/dried into a wrinkly mess, even though they said “wrinkle free”.

2. Layers, lots of them, work better than heavy things

3. I felt more comfortable in skirts than pants

4. Having a little color is a good thing

5. I’ve got foot issues-so I’m bringing way more shoes than most people, as two pairs(the usual suggested #) did not meet my needs.

6. No matter how many packing lists I read, in the end it’s about what I need to bring for me…

7. It really all does still fit in a Kelty daypack (Moraine Trail series daypack).

8. Using two medium sized Eagle Creek compression bags makes a significant difference in how much I can pack. [read on]

It’s really been hitting me over the last few days that I’m about to actually do this incredible journey around the world. Actually, it’s exciting to go around the world; but it’s thrilling to do it alone and with the purpose I have in mind,that of service to others. [read on]

IF YOU ARE DOING VOLUNTEER WORK, YOU MAY FIND THESE GUIDELINES HELPFUL…If you want to see the actual packing list of what I’m bring in insane detail, it has moved to another spot on this blog. Check on list at right and scroll down to entry made October 16, 2007: :” The Real Life Test….Packing List” [read on]

Everyone’s asking…here’s the answer. Alot of hard work,alot of time on the internet,alot of phone calls,and alot of late nights staying up researching different organizations!

Your skills,your commitment…
First,be willing to look at your skillset and what you can offer. Everyone has something they can offer-you don’t have to be college grad to volunteer. You could work with orphans that have AIDS,you could take care of wild birds in a breeding program, you could do health education with women…

Second, make a commitment to spend some time with the project you choose. It is the rare program that will be happy with your commitment to help them for a week or two.You will make more of a difference and have a richer experience if you stay for longer periods of time. [read on]

Today is October 1st, and I’ve got 30 days until I’m in Guatemala! I am extremely excited.

Many changes have been made since the last entry. At first, I was just going to rewrite the first entry, but instead I will leave it as is. I think that being flexible and comfortable with change is a big part of travel. I think it’s important to be open to change. [read on]