I made it here!! The hardest part is over. It was sad saying goodbye. As I walked through the security area at LGA I debated turning around. I was definitely having lots of mixed feelings and was on about 2 hours of sleep. However, I got the courage to get on the plane. Danny and Meg both wrote me really amazing cards so I read them first thing so I wasn't too puffy eyed when I got to Guatemala. I passed out immediately after and was in Miami before I knew it. The flights were easy and smooth. Customs was a little scary, but also really easy. The airport was newly renovated and really nice. I waited and waited for my luggage. One suitcase showed up, the other did not! I was slowly the last person waiting at the carousal. I had to go claim it and all they gave me was a form to call the airline. Very frustrating, but I pushed on. I walked out of the customs and saw tons of people offering me a taxi. I was happy to hear someone yell my name, and it was my principal. She gave me a huge hug!! It was such a nice welcoming. Other new teachers were there and another principal too. I was impressed that even the principals pick you up from the airport. They were so organized and gave us cellphones and money immediately. It was smooth sailing from there on. We went right to the hotel, The Clarion Suites. It is a beautiful hotel. When I got up to my room, I looked out the window and saw a beautiful mountain landscape. The weather was gorgeous. Mid 70s and sunny. Right now is the rainy season, so at about 3pm everyday it rains and thunderstorms roll in. Within an hour they stop. Not a bad rainy season at all. Being that the best part of the day is blue skies and sunny! They told us to meet in the lobby at 6pm for dinner. Only six teachers had showed up so far, so we walked to a little taco place with the middle school principal. I thought it was really cool once again that the principal came to dinner with us and bought up a bucket of cervezas! We drank a beer called Gallo. It's really good. I ordered a vegetarian burrito, which ran me about $3 bucks haha. It was nice to sit down and get to know the new teachers. I love them all. Everyone comes from a different part of the U.S. with totally different backgounds/experiences. I am one of the youngest. The average age of the new teachers is 30. After dinner, we headed back to the hotel and went to the bar they had downstairs. We found out that Guatemala is popular for their rum. So we tried some rum and hung out in the lounge. Shortly after, four more teachers showed up! My principal was with them and they all joined us in the lounge. It was a really nice night and I felt immediately reassured that I wanted to be here. That I made the right choice :)
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