Arrival and Initial Impressions

So, it´s official. I have stepped on foreign soil. It didn't count in El Salvador because we didn't leave the airport. My plan had been to grab a taxi and take it to the beach for the 5.5 hour layover. Unfortunately, the group didn't see eye to eye with the plan and we just chilled inside—basically America Land with a Brookstone and Lacoste to boot. I don't know why, but it hasn't really sunken in yet—this idea that, for the very first time in my life, I'm out in the world. I read about this place all the time, see it on TV, see it in the movies, but now I'm actually here. Hell, this could even be the mysterious place that grown-ups are always babbling on about when they wax nostalgic about the real ¨world¨. Maybe it´s because I haven´t seen it during the daytime yet. I first felt it, the feeling that something new and big was coming, was when the plane was landing in El Salvador. I was shaking all over; so full of excitement. You know that El Salvador didn't end up counting (and, speaking of counting, don´t worry Dad; even though I didn't leave the airport I got you some El Salvadoran money) because we basically hung out in a mall with uncomfortable chairs; but it was daylight and that could partially explain the shaking. I think another reason I might not have felt like my arrival here, in La Ceiba, was the authentic foreign experience was because we saw so many American places to eat, so many neon signs—Popeyes, Quiznos, and a two-story KFC. The picture I´ll put up with this post is the first time in my life that I´m seeing the Pacific Ocean. That`s all I’­ll type for now. A lot more happened but this is what is on my mind right before I drift off to sleep. More shout-outs this post: Mom, you get on here again because I talked about you with a girl on this trip named Carolyn for about 15-20 minutes, and I know I haven´t called yet but I haven´t been near a phone and I´ll call as soon as I can; a special shout-out to Dr. Chappell, he made the donation that finished my fundraiser, a huge thanks to him and to all the others that donated; last shout-out of the day goes to my dad, last night dinner was great even though it was at Uncle Buck´s (I know, it was my choice), we also went to go see UP earlier that afternoon which was fantastic, then he had no problem driving my extremely tired butt to the airport early early earlier this morning, thanks Dad, I´ll miss you a ton.