I'm here! Or there, whichever you prefer...

I've made it! We touched down right on time, and I am now writing this from my hotel room (at the low price of 60R per hour...). Here are a few highlights from the trip--

My mom and I left at 7 to drive to Milwaukee, and it was snowing during the drive. It took me a while to realize it, but that is the last time I will see snow for a while. Weird. Then, got my stuff loaded, went to sit down to wait for my flight, and then found out I had to "check" my guitar because the flight was overbooked. So, thinking fast, I wrapped the blanket I had in my case around the whole guitar, padding it just a little bit more. It survived the 2 hour flight just fine, and I was off to run through the Atlanta airport.
I had about 5 hours before my next flight, so first off I found my terminal, then walked back to information to figure out if there was anything I needed to do before my flight (there wasn't), then got 350 R (about $60), then panda express. After that, I really didn't have anything to do but sit and wait. I sat in the terminal for a while before anyone else from my flight got there. Right as a girl showed up, this boy came up to me and asked if he could play my guitar. Being nice, I said yes, making sure I watched him the whole time (I am also a wary person). He didn't take it, but he did talk to me for a very long time. He was on his was to Israel "for God," and found out that I was Jewish. He left after a while, and I got a chance to talk to the girl from my trip. There were 5 of us on the trip, and everyone got there just fine.
At one point, this woman came up to me, asking if I was Jewish. I said yes, and she started asking my about my faith, and how much I keep. I started getting a little uncomfortable, because I don't keep very much, but I didn't want to be rude. Then she started telling me about her cousin's sister's son (monster's inc reference, but it was some obscure relative), and how I should go to Baltimore to marry him. At this point, I'm trying not to laugh, but again, don't want to be rude. Then she says "How old are you?" I say 20, and she says "Oh, he is 30, he would be good for you." ?!?!?!?!?! I could barely control my laughter at this point, but I told her that I was in a relationship already, and that I didn't know if it would work. She starts telling me about keeping the sabbath all week, and how it isn't that hard, and then she finally leaves with an all-knowing look. My group didn't even know what to say.
Finally we board the plane. It was jam packed with people from all over, mainly the south, going to ZA for a stock car racing event. Apparently, its the first in the country. Who knew. And who do I get to sit by me? The biggest guy under 5'6". Hooray. The flight overall wasn't so bad, even though I didn't sleep like at all, and I was cold, and the food was bad. In the end, there was a lot of TV and movie options, and I made do with what I had.
Arrival! We got in around 5 ZA time, and went through passport control and customs and such. We then met with our instructor, who told us where to get money, phone cards, adapters, etc. Then, with all our stuff in tow, we hiked to the van, drove to the hotel, and that is where we are now.

So, that is all for now! I will be out of internet commission for the next 10 days, so the next time I write will be the 7th. See you then!

Two days to takeoff!

Ok. I am not the blogging type yet, so excuse the first couple of posts for boring stories and terrible jokes. So, today will be spent finishing applications, packing, and maybe going to see a movie with Chris. And packing. Good lord, and packing. I think I might just leave it here for today (I told you, no judging the first couple of posts). Thanks for reading!