This side of security.

If you've flown at any point in probably the last 15 or so years or know anyone who has then you're likely aware of the fact that security is where people say goodbye. Once you're through, your loved ones can't sit by you anymore, you're on your own. Sometimes that's not such a big deal. Sometimes you're meeting another loved one at the other end of your flight or you'll be back so soon that leaving doesn't really change anything for you. That's how most of my trips have been.

This time everything was different.
This time I was hesitant to go through security.
This time I left my loved ones on the other side of that gate, not to see them for 10 whole months.
This time I knew someone was supposed to meet me at the end of my journey but I didn't know them.
This time goodbye was so much more real.
This time I walked away from everything I know and love into the something totally new and different.
This time it was terrifying.

I'm not even kidding or being dramatic when I use the word terrifying. I don't cry but I cried so much on Sunday. Every goodbye hug brought a fresh wave of tears. Then when I walked through those security gates, I wanted nothing more than to run back through them and yell for my family not to leave without me. For something that I've always wanted to do, it sure seemed insane to be doing. But I didn't let that stop me, I boarded my first plane. I spent my night in the Chicago airport where I was sick and freezing all night long. Being sick I suppose came from just stressing myself out and it made me question my decision even more. But still, I pressed on into the unknown.

Once I was through customs, I had probably the most terrifying experience of my life as I scanned the crowd of people eagerly awaiting the arriving passengers and didn't see my name anywhere. I'm pretty sure my heart stopped for a few minutes wondering what I would do if there actually wasn't anyone there to pick me up. What seemed like and eternity before I heard my name was probably only more like 2 minutes, but it was terrifying none the less. After that I was put on a bus with the secretary of the school where I'll be teaching.

It is a 3 hour bus ride from San Pedro Sula to Santa Rita and it was awful. I know I'm just being a spoiled American, but between the janky bus, the heat, the crazy drivers, and the terrible roads, it was all rather unpleasant. Then we got dropped off in Santa Rita and I got try to maneuver my huge suitcase down the street to my new home.

My house is much nicer and larger than I was expecting it to be. I have my own private bathroom and a room that's actually probably bigger than the one I had at my apartment. So that's nice. Everyone that lives here is great and they all made sure to tell me that I'm family here and welcome to anything and everything in their home. I spent Sunday evening settling in and talking with my family on skype. I'm beyond thankful for technology!

Tuesday morning I was picked up by a few of the other teachers and we went together by mototaxi to the school. It's a very nice little school nestled on a hillside just on the outskirts of town. Our morning at school was spent just doing small things to help get ready for the upcoming year. I met some of the students and they were all very nice. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better and working with them in the classroom. I spent the majority of Tuesday afternoon and evening just reading on the balcony that overlooks a courtyard at my house. It was glorious and relaxing. Then last night Mildred, the director of the school, invited me to church. I went with her to a small Bible study outside of someone's house. It was nice and I was pretty proud of myself for understanding most of what was said even though they weren't slowing down for the white girl to understand.

Today we again went to the school. First project of the day was scraping and painting some shelves. I really enjoyed that because it felt like I was actually useful. After that we spent the majority of the day moving books into the new library so the old space can be used for another classroom. Though is was hot and this was not super fun work, it gave me something to do that actually felt like I was accomplishing something and helping out. Plus I'm very excited about some of the books the school has in its English library and hope some of my students are advanced enough to read them!

We drove to the town of Copán to drop one of the other teachers off. I'm eager to return there and tour the Mayan ruins. Now I'm just bumming around my house and reading and such. Figured I'd use my free time to keep all of you updated since I promised you that I would. That's all I have for you for now though. Talk to you again soon, world!