Se trata de la vida

So of course the first two days in Central America have been amazing beyond any words I could articulate to justify what I've seen. It's absolutely a different world, different and yet the same to what I expected. But one thing I can absolutely articulate is that the last two days have had more game changers than I expected or have ever had before in my first two days to any other country I've been to.

1. Situation: leaving for the airport. Description:I slept through my alarm so we left 20 minutes later than were supposed to. That one happens all the time, no big deal, it happens all the time. Effect: minor concern. Treatment: being an slight ass to the lady at the check-in counter and pushing my way through security.

2. Situation: Houston flight. Description: Somebody on the flight before mine relieved themselves in their seat. Translation: somebody shat. in their seat. Effect: Hour-delay while somebody tracked down another seat cushion. Reaction: It takes five, ten minutes tops for these guys to fix a wiring problem with a wing, but apparently it takes an hour to get a friggin cushion so somebody can sit in the seat. I mean for gosh sakes, just upgrade the person assigned to that seat to first class on the next flight, caution tape it off, and fabreeze the crap out of it. problem solved.

3. Situation: Belize. Description. First of all, I flew into Belize City. I was supposed to meet my aunt and uncle their with their boat, but se la vi, that plan didn't work out. Their boat was getting repaired and (go figure) they didn't get done, so my aunt, all by her lonesome, hopped on two buses from the tiny shantytown in Guatemala where their catamaran is docked, six hours of travel, just to meet me. From their, we stayed in a very pleasant little hotel across the street from (go figure) a RADISSON hotel, in Belize City, and took another two buses the next day back down to Guatemala. Overall, the trip was not bad, though some of the roads in Guatemala aren't paved, so the van was at times a bumpy ride. But, on recommendation, I ordered some tacos on the border, and as expected, they were delicious. Only problem: we almost missed our bus from Florez (closest town to Tikal, which is the largest Mayan Ruins in Central America) to Frontera where we were going. Effect: In the rush, We left my aunt's bug screen door, which I had hand-carried all the way from Portland in a cardboard box, on the bus. We didn't realize it until we were AT THE BOAT. Reaction: minor heartbreak. Treatment: Cervesa, food, and muy cervesa.

4. Situation: going to town. Description: Uncle Fred let me man the dinghy. First time operating a small motor with the transmission built into the handle. Effect: slightly larger learning curve, and almost bashing said dinghy into the dock. Treatment: more driving, and muy cervesa.

5. Situation: tennis. Description: got invited from the "neighbors" next door, who are sailing between four people what looks to be about a million dollar sail boat. 55 feet of architect/sailor catnip. Anyway, invited without a racket and without tennis shoes. Effect: blisters on hands from using a racket untouched for eight years, blisters on feet from wearing old boat shoes on a concrete tennis court, and very fun but very pitiful tennis. Dad, you'd be ashamed, but hey, I haven't played so what are you gonna do. Treatment. Lotion. and cervesa.

You know, I've long since given up trying to plan my trips to a T, because they NEVER go as you plan them. But they are always adventures, and each plan that goes so magnificently awry makes it that much more adventurous. Which is EXACTLY why I started this blog.....well that and I'm the type that forgets what he did the day before, so I have to write everything down. Almost every event has been a fantastic moment, and I can't soak them all in fast enough. Most of all, I'm thrilled to finally be down here. It's been a long time planning, and while we haven't even set sail yet, my mind is already blown. It's tropical, it's hot, it's wild, it's laid back, it's absolutely a third-world atmosphere, and my eyes are OPEN. And I've slept like a log every night I've been here. In hopes not to jinx it, I'll knock on wood, that my nights will remain that way while I'm here. We have some pretty loud toads, so we'll see.

Happy trails, smooth sailing, watch your step because the boardwalk might not always be level, and remember that sailor's maintenance comprises mostly of duck tape, WD-40, and CERVESA.

buenos noches, mi amores