Leaving Home...

I’m currently sitting on my plane to Houston writing to you (No I’m not on a fancy wi-fi plane, just going to cut and paste this message when I arrive in Houston). 

So off I go after the hectic packing and organizing of life that comes with leaving the country for a month (making sure bills are paid while you are away and you’ve brought the necessary items along can be stressful!). As promised there were many tears upon my departure.  I waited until last night to put all of my items in my bags and made sure to have my wife there to help talk me out of attempting to bring the entire house in my suitcase. The reason for my delayed packing was that the moment I pulled out the big suitcases and began to put my clothes, field items, and project equipment into bag, my two dogs (Gracie Lou and Theo-also known as Brother) became noticeably depressed. I’m convinced they understand the ratio of bag-size to time away and they showed their lack of enthusiasm for my trip by following me obsessively around the house with tails between their legs (pugs sign of sadness). 

It is always hard for me to leave my home and I think that is a good-thing. It means I love my family and my life, but the call of Anthropology has also been a love, so with the amazing support of my wonderful wife, off I go again on yet another adventure. Having the loving support of friends and family makes a world of difference. I was lucky enough to have both my wife and a very dear friend of mine provide yummy airplane snacks as bon voyage gifts. Snacks are key in the age of having pay for plane food and given I’ll be arriving after midnight.

So, a note as I’m starting this voyage- if you didn’t read my earlier post, there is a very good reason I’ll be sleeping in Houston tonight. I did not want to arrive in Guatemala City around 9pm and then try to make my way to Antigua. I have nothing against Guatemala City but as a woman traveling alone it is not wise to arrive in an area I’m less familiar with alone and then attempt to journey on the roads at night! Please take this advice in your own travels. Also, I have the most amazing parents and grandma (Nanny) who are making a 3 hour drive from San Antonio to Houston just to get to have breakfast with me. I could not be more grateful for an opportunity to see my family or their continued love and support of me! I am blessed with such a remarkable family and though the time will not be nearly long enough, I know it will fill me with the love and support to make the month away all the easier.

Up, up and away!

Chris