I was writing an e-mail last night explaining how ready I was to come home.  While I was typing it out, the realization hit me that I would be back in the United States of America within hours.  After I’d exit the gangway of the MV Explorer, I would have one more leg until I was back in California.  This would be my “final destination” – a destination so foreign to me over the span of four months time. 

I realized, while writing, how I missed the little things in my life I was so accustomed.  I’ve learned, however, that finding such comfort in these subtleties have really been “luxuries” I’ve lived with my entire life.  A washer and dryer, a full refrigerator, a cell phone, 24-hour internet access, a steady surface to run on, a car to drive… all examples of “things” I’ve lived without since January.  I find it a bit odd that I will have to adapt and remember what it’s like to having these luxuries so readily available.

I’m not sure how I feel about it all.  In fact, I’m still not sure how it’s all going to affect me yet.  What I do know though, is that I’m coming back home with a greater appreciation for those life luxuries.  It may take a while to assimilate back into the American Way, but I’ll do so with a better understanding of the people, cultures and world I have personally experienced. 

This morning I stood by the fifth deck railing, anxiously waiting to see my mom.  I scanned the sea of parents and spotted her instantly wearing a bright, red jacket.  Frantically waving, she reciprocated the gesture.  Although we were still physically distant, our emotional connection made it feel like we were within arms reach of one another.  For the first time in a long while I thought to myself… I’m home.

They’ve told us that adjusting to home will be difficult for most of us.  We have literally been around the world, and in that time, have experienced much.  It’s a great deal to digest, and adapting back to American ways may take a bit of time.  I’m ready for the challenge; I’m ready to teach others of what I have seen.

Speaking of which, it’s almost complete!  We have about two more spreads to finish, the placement of text, and the placing of pictures for our editor’s page.  The executive dean is going to be looking at it at some point tomorrow, so we have an early morning meeting to solidify title, cover shot and final edits.  It’s all coming together.

Dalia and me.  This is the view from Toto’s backyard patio.  You can see some of the volcanoes in the backdrop.

With Toto outside Siman department store, where he works in Optics.

Lava flowing down the Pacaya Volcano

Roasting marshmellows!

My friend Dalia had come to me a few days before entering port asking if I wanted to hangout with her in Guatemala.  She had some family connections in the city and wondered if I’d like to join her on the stay.  I was excited, to say the least, for I knew from past ports that any opportunity for a “homestay” was something I shouldn’t pass up.

Toto was the one we were meeting up with for our first two days in Guatemala.  The homestay was better than either one of us could have asked!  When the ship arrived in port, we were met by Toto’s personal driver with a sign that read Dalia’s name on it.  Classy, right?  We were then driven to the place where Toto works (Siman department store), a family owned venture that is located in various cities throughout Central America.  He’s kind of a big deal.

Toto was friendly and welcoming.  We waited to met him in his office, and he and Dalia spent a little while catching up before we took off for Antigua.  It was fun roaming the streets of the quaint little town.  Toto showed us a couple of old churches and took us out for coffee at a beautiful café.  I ordered a little cappuccino that was just what I had anticipated Guatemalan coffee to be – mild, warm and delicious.

It took a while to get home since we hit rush hour traffic.  When we entered the area where he lived, we drove through his gated community (which comforted me in a number of ways).  We were welcomed by Toto’s private guard, who opened the door for me when we pulled up in front of his house.  What service.  His wife, Dorita, greeted us as we entered the home.  Her warmth and care made me feel even more at ease.  We were given a tour of his three-story house – built high on a mountain that had the jaw-dropping view of four volcanoes in the distance.  Pretty spectacular, I’d say.

Dalia and I were given the new “wing” (if you will) to the house, completed just a few months back.  The bedroom included two twin-sized beds, a computer, big bathroom with shower, toilet and sink, which all connected to a spacious living room.  This entertainment room had a cable television, three sofas and a workspace for Dorita to paint – her newly discovered talent/hobby.

We were told that we had unlimited access to his telephone, so we could call the States if we wanted.  Our jaws dropped.  Apparently, his monthly plan allows him to make calls to America whenever he wants and for however long.  So, of course we both took advantage of this rare availability :)

Their personal cook put together an amazing homemade dinner for us consisting of chicken breast, veggies, potatoes, black beans and fresh tortillas.  It was over and above what Dalia and I could have wanted.  Fruit followed dinner, just like the “desserts” we had in Morocco.  (Fresh fruit is something I CAN’T WAIT to buy when I get home to the California.  I miss it so much).

Needless to say, I had a wonderful night’s sleep.  It made me realize how much I miss the comfort of home bedding… something as simple as a fluffy pillow.  The next day was some market visits and shopping purchases for friends and family back home.  Guatemala was actually a bit pricier than I expected, but I guess anything’s going to be when you buy North Face backpacks for $15 in Thailand and Converse for $8 in China…

The next day we had a nice, sit-down coffee with Toto, and his driver so kindly drove us back to Antigua so we could walk around some more.  We did, and in addition, bumped into some SAS friends who were going on a volcano tour at 2pm.  By the time we found this out it was already 1:45pm.  Their tour group was already full, but with a few phone calls by the tour company, the agent pulled us some strings and was able to let us go.  I was SO PUMPED.

“Climbing a volcano” is one activity on my personal bucket list.  In a group of about fifteen of us, we walked three miles through tropical forest to get to the mountain.  It was worth every second.  Once we reached the stream of hot flowing magma, the ground below my feet was so warm it began burning the rubber on the bottom of the boots I was wearing.  We did get close enough, however, to roast marshmallows!  It was so cool!  It literally took about four seconds to make a perfectly roasted mellow that was golden, crispy, brown on the outside.  Perfection, right?!

Our trek back through the Jumanji-like rainforest grew darker with every step.  Beginning at about our halfway point, the only time we could see in front of us was when lightening struck.  It didn’t help too much, unless you were used to walking through forest by strobe-light.  Not the best idea.  I lost track of how many times I stubbed my toes on the way back to the van.

Since I didn’t really have plans for the last day in Guatemala, I decided to end my stay on that “high” note.  I knew I couldn’t top climbing a volcano (no pun intended), so I stayed close to the ship the third day.  I got some business taken care of that I wanted to do, so I made my “day-off” a pretty productive one.  Sleeping-in was a bonus :)

I feel truly blessed to have had rare opportunities (like meeting Toto, being welcomed to his home, etc.) in many of the countries we’ve visited.  Only days before port, I didn’t have any kind of plan for Guatemala, and sure enough, I had some of the best experiences here.  Like I believe… everything happens for a reason… and in the end, things WILL fall into place inevitably.

Just have the faith that it will.

Anyways, here’s a head’s up on what’s going on for tomorrow…

Tomorrow: church at 10am, Transit the Panama Canal (all day), getting closer to finishing the voyage book with pictures and text, register for Chapman classes at 7:15pm, and then Ambassador’s Ball at 8pm!

Today officially started my summer!  YAY!  I’m almost home… 3 more days!

(My Guatemala post is soon to come.  I’ll try finishing it tomorrow).

Study Day tomorrow, marketing final the following day, then Guatemala!

Dalia and Me waiting for dinner.

Cheers!  First legal drink in the U.S.

We rode in a limo back to the ship.  Style – it’s just what we do :)

The night prior to arriving, I pulled out my cell phone to charge.  I hadn’t touched this old lifeline for nearly three months, so it was pretty weird to physically see it sitting on my desk.  I had to hold it up to my ear just to remember what it felt like.

In the morning, I walked from my cabin (on Deck 3) to grab some breakfast on Deck 6, I saw about two people that WEREN’T talking on their cell phones.  It was hilarious to see people huddled in a corner or buried away in some nook of the ship to talk in privacy.  Likewise though, I was just as eager to call my family and friends, so I made my way outside to talk in some fresh island air.

My time in Hawaii was purely relaxation.  Being at sea for nine days started to give people a little cabin fever (me being no exception).  Lindsey’s dad had reserved a room for her at the Wyland Waikiki, and she invited me and a few others to join her for the night.  It was surely a treat!  We were about ten minutes walking distance from beach access – so, the location was awesome.  I had never spent much time on the south part of Oahu in my visits to the island, so Waikiki, for me, was a complete change from the rather “low-key” areas of the North Shore.  Proving itself as quite the tourist destination, Waikiki was still as fun as it was beautiful… soft sands, bath-temperature waters and a quiet breeze took the edge off the heat.

We spent both days at the beach (who wouldn’t right?!), and I felt so UN-pressured to partake in any kind of tourist venture.  It felt more like home than anything.  Soon enough… right, mom and dad? :)

The daytime consisted of shave ices and acai bowls, and my backpack only contained sun tan lotion, a towel, iPod and running shoes.  Undoubtedly – my kind of combination.

Nightlife was fun.  Around 11pm, we eventually made our way to a bar/restaurant called Duke’s (named after a famous surfer in Hawaii) which we soon found out was the local SAS hangout.  Surprisingly, we managed to find a table, sit and order a round of drinks.  Dalia, Lindsey and I enjoyed buying some “foofy-girly” ones, and I was asked to show ID for the first time!  Hahaa.  We spent the remainder of the night and early morning sitting on the beach just hanging out some more.  It was refreshing to spend the night on land, since we had one more week at sea ahead of us.

Thanks for all the texts and calls, everyone!  I loved being able to chat with you all… even if it was for a short while.  I’ll be seeing you in person soon!

Waiting!

The bullet train.

Lindsey and me by Landmark Tower.