On my way

Hi Everyone!

I am going to write little excerpts of the day and then publish it all at once tonight or tomorow.

Got up at 2am this morning to leave for the Omaha airport at 2.30.

So far everything went smooth. The shuttle-bus must have seen me turn into the long-term parking lot, because it was waiting for me as i got out of the car. A great blessing as it is still really cold at this time. I was surprised that the "arrive 2 hours before bording" does not apply here in the early morning. The counter was not even open until 1.5 hours before take-off. They worked really efficient though and i was checked in within 5 minutes. Online pre-flight check-in does make a difference!

Now i am sitting here at Eppley Airfield and am using the internet they provide. Way to go Omaha Airport, 21st century right here! Next stop is Chicago O'Hare. I hope they have Internet too! Looks like it's time to board!

And here an image of the inside of the plane.

Arrived in Chicago O'hare without any problems

and was really surprised that it was snowing here! I am including a picture of the terminal connection tunnel, which i have always liked. I think light-sound installations are great.

Next stop Miami. Did i mention that i am a sucker for Airport architecture?

Wow! I arrived and Guatemala is really nice! 80 degree temperature (around 30 c) I was picked up by a driver who held up my name.

That was a first, and it had to be documented.

Since the airport is in Guatemala City, we had a 1 hour drive to Antigua, which i really enjoyed.

I love hills and mountains, they remind me of home and it makes me feel quite content to see a lot of mountainous landscape while i am here.

Here is an image righ outside Jim's entry looking at Montana Fuego.

I'll post some pictures of Antigua later on.

So long for now!

Antigua - A World Heritage Site

I am counting down!

Only four days left and so much stuff to do. The preparations are running full steam. 9 hours of work can really split up a day of preparing :-)

Today i got a Hepatitis A shot. Could have thought about that earlier, which would have guaranteed full immunity, but thats just not me. Bleah!

Anyways, I am happy to have some protection and glad that my awesome workplace allows us to flex the work time a little to take care of something like Dr's appointments in the middle of the day.

I dug out my old German mason's pants - they got a cool side pocket for a construction rule and thicker cloth around the knees. Functional and stylish work-ware made in Germany. Yeah! You'll see some pics of me wearing them on the construction site.

So apparently Antigua is quite famous for its architecture, the cool ruins and the churches. I have seen pictures of Antigua before and was in awe but had no idea that it was a world heritage site. I am really looking forward to seeing the city and hope that i have enough time to explore a little. And to be surrounded by active volcanoes sounds very adventurous! Lets hope that i can make some nice pictures to share here.

Hasta Pronto ... thats me practicing ;-)

Just Six Days

On January 30, 2010 i am going to fly to Guatemala with the goal to help build a house for a family in need.

I have six days left to prepare for an exciting week of volunteering.

There is a lot of stuff to be done but i am cheerful and do not anticipate any problems.

The organization i am going with is called Constru Casa.
Check them out at construcasa.org

I am also going to send out a fundraising letter i prepared.

I just got done and do know that that is terribly late, but i am confident that i can raise enough to round up my volunteering with covering some of the houses construction cost even if its after i am back!

I hope you will be able to follow this blog.

I will try to update it every day that i am in Guatemala, but am not quite sure about the availability of net access.

Please pray for smooth preparations as i am counting down the days to departure.

Ilja