I didn’t expect to do a full 180 after takeoff. It’s weird to see this world that you’ve known , the mountains you’ve known, to be rotated and obstructed. All while I’m trying to mentally prepare for this change!
I don’t know about all the other first time goers but it didn’t hit me until we were at the airport waiting to get on the plane. We started by meeting at the delta check in counter! All 15 of the week 2 people were able to make it! Everyone wore their Mexico shirts so it was easy finding each other!
After we got thru bag check in and TSA with no issues we all got to the gate with about an hour for some down time before getting on the plane!
Boarding was pretty standard, besides the realization that even tho we were still in Utah I was now completely surrounded by a language I had never actually be fully submerged into like that.
While we knew we were getting closer to Guadalajara the anticipation grew about what was the come. After we almost landed the first time, we had to circle back around and detour thru some other local cities. As we officially landed the 2nd time around everyone met at the bathrooms before moving onto luggage and customs.
This is where I found out that even previous trip goers had a hard time with the bumpy landing, glad it wasn’t just me, lol!
Everyone found their bags ok so we headed to customs where Kristy got stopped and had her bags checked. We joked it was because she had Star Wars luggage or because she had a mini skeleton…. She said Mr bones goes with her and her other nurse colleagues whenever they travel somewhere so of course he had to tag along for the ride!
After customs we made our way outside to the crisp 86 degrees to wait for the transport vans to take us to Colima. (Fun fact: Stefan and Tonio have been the drivers for us for a while. Tonio grew up in the orphanage and helps out here and there. Stefan is originally from Germany and came down for missions trip. He eventually met a girl and moved back out here! )
Normally they have snacks in the vans but since they didn’t we stopped at a near by gas station, and when I say we got snacks I mean SNACKS! this wasn’t even half of them!
the people at the gas station said “ I Caramba ”
Then we all mentally prepared for a 3 hour drive to Colima.
As everyone took some good quality power naps! We got some good views of the local towns and scenery!
We eventually arrived in Colima and had to treat ourselves to some good authentic tacos at El Taco Loco in the north east part of Colima. After some tacos and juice we made our way to our hotel where we unloaded, got our rooms assigned, got settled, and then met up as a group to go over some basics and plans for tomorrow. They gave us a little devotional booklet that we can do independently and as a group. They also gave us a card to keep with us in case anything happens. We know where to go, what to say, and who to call!
With tomorrow being Sunday we plan on waking up early grabbing coffee down the street and then heading to church, then after we’ll be stopping by a market to grab some fresh stuff for tomorrow nights dinner!
I do wanna take this time to say how grateful I am for the amazing leaders, Dan and Steve! They have made this process to simple and easy. They really know what they’re doing and where we’re going and it gives me such peace of mind knowing we’re in good hands!
I’m excited to see what tomorrow brings! I’m so excited and grateful to be here and for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey! I hope that yall keep tagging along for more updates!🫶🏼💗
Some fun things I learn!
1. There isn’t always toilet paper in the bathrooms ( shoutout to Victoria for preparing me for this fact) and even if there is toilet paper, you have to “wrap it up like a little present” - our leader steve😂
2. In the area we’re in the tap water isn’t good for drinking! So they set up a water jug with a pump outside in the common area for us to use.
3. You leave your room key at the front desk when you leave so they know to come in and clean!
4. To remember pecks compared to American dollars. You drop the 0 and divide by 2!
Some culture shocks!
1. There’s a lot of honking and whistling in the busier towns!
2. A lot more motorbikes, and they are not quiet😂
3. Everything is very open which I love! You can leave your room door open while everyone’s out in the common area. The restaurant didn’t have a door it was just an open wall!
4. The traffic gives me anxiety! The roads are less structured and so people here are just really confident with their driving!
5. There’s police everywhere😂
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