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Published: April 4th 2014
YYYAAAYYYY!!! It's time for Ned to go on Vacation with a capital "V"! hastagvacation!
Super excited, I feel like I haven't done a get down and dirty, hang with the locals on their mud floors, eat street meat, fresh fruit, end up with 'ahem' bathroom issues due to previously mentioned events; feel better and do it all over again!
My last visit to the Central/South America continent (which is without question my fav) was in Dec 2010 when I did Chile, Argentina, and Easter Island. That was the trip that started this blog, truth be told, and I am beyond delighted to be here again, about to set foot on Spanish soil. My language skills may not be any better, but I will have a heap of fun trying!!
Of course preparations for this trip were right on schedule; lists made up 2 weeks prior and everything done the night before. I often send my dear friend Errol and email that goes something like this: "OMGI'mSObusyandnotreadyandhavetodolaundry,havetopack,havetohugkitties,checkpassport,cleanhouse,finishworkandomgomgomg" Yup - his generic response? "Snicker, Ned's going on Vacation again!" Without fail, I was still cleaning and packing late last night, trying to wind down to go to sleep. Riiiiggghhhhht. Between cat hugging, packing (leaving cat out of bag - not as easy as it sounds), fish snuggle (also doesn't work very well), cleaning, panicking and wondering what I forgot it was a great night. With wine included of course.
Now my "Ned Shenanigans" have already started (also right on schedule). Went through security and left the lid to my water bottle in the tub (it's a stainless steel bottles so CATSA asks me to open it). Realized it after I had gotten through US Customs (with my smuggled PB and Banana sandwich - HA!.) Hmmmmmm conundrum. SO I walked back to US Customs, entered the DO NOT ENTER doorway, wandered up to an Agent and sheepishly explained my dilemma. His response was HOW do you know you left it at security and I said I undid it and don't have it so it's there as I know I never picked it up. He grunted, took my passport and allowed me to go into the DO NOT ENTER doorway #2. Then the lady covering that was all confused so I had to explain again, wandered over to the security conveyor belt and there was my wee little lid, sitting all by it's lonesome. Had I more time a photo would have been classic, but I scooched it up and went back in reverse, with smiles and giggles. Once I showed the Customs Agent the lid, he cracked a smile finally and agreed with me a water bottle is useless without a lid!
4 hour flight to Houston (truly home away from home for me!) 5.5 hour layover and then a shorter flight to Guatemala City, Guatemala. I have been working with a private operator who is picking us up, and has our pre night hotel booked. Tomorrow morning we are off to a real LIVE Volcano hike (say it ain't so Plucky!) and I"m so excited I could squeal right now!! Thank you Sheena for even telling me about that option - uber excited!
Then the next night our G Adventures trip starts, this being the trip that was going to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. The trip that forced us to renew our passports as they were 5 months validity, and Guatemala and Honduras were fine with that but El Salvador was not. And someone bothered to get malaria pills for El Salvador because according to the doctor he spoke with WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE IN CENTRAL AMERICA. snicker. Anyhoo - got an email yesterday, yup, yesterday saying we are not going to El Salvador. Jerks. thanks for the notice.
Truth be told I actually like the itinerary even more now, as we spend more time in Rio Dulce and Lake Atitlan which will be nice. But being told 48 hours before the trip starts (after having our starting hotel changed 7 days prior) was slightly annoying. Oh well, guess I come home with 49 countries under my belt instead of 50. *grin*
Plane due to board soon, and I have my new thank you mastercard (really does buy everything else) macbook pro so I can hopefully blog with photos (random!) and keep in touch a bit with the world. Iphone 5 left at home, so no texting, no phone calling, just relying on wifi- exciting!
I'm off to Guatemala! I'm off to Guatemala. I'mactuallyatairportontimewithproperdocumentationandmysmuggledpeanutandbutterandbananasandwichandstarbuckscoffeeinhand
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Georgie
non-member comment
PB - Really?
PB and a fruit? REALLY? You're as bad as my friend who just came back from Chile with a suitcase full of avocados and plant life. Don't you people watch border security? Love you! xo Have fun and a cerveza for your auntie.