Saturday, August 1, 2009

Testing, Testing. 1. 2. 3.

Cheerio good neighbors! I thought it would be wise to get my blog started before I leave. Actually, Brad Bonner thought so, but whatever. ;-) Here goes:

I ship out on Friday the 7th at 6:00 AM. My family and I will head to Omaha on Thursday afternoon to dine and enjoy our last American evening together...but I think the true reason for this is so they don't have to wake at the buttcrack of dawn to drive to Omaha. I do much prefer the sugar-coated version. From Omaha, I will go to Houston. And from Houston to Miami. It is in Miami that I switch airlines and head to Santa Cruz, Bolivia. My 10:30 PM arrival in Santa Cruz is all hunky-dorey and such, but I will have a 12-hour overnight layover. This, I am sure, will be my first "learning experience." Though Brad Lee Bonner tells me I will be fine in my Rotary blazer, I like the idea of a giant hoodie covering my blond hair and pale skin much better. Also, my amazing Nana and Papa(Diane and Bill) have purchased a 'net' of some type for my carry-on. I put my bag in it and padlock it to my body so no one can slash into it or run away with it. A bit extreme, but they are the most worrisome grandparents in the world. It is greatly appreciated. Either way, it will be an experience, and I am always game for growing up. I leave Santa Cruz at 10:30 AM and arrive in Sucre one half hour later. Yay!

For at least the past 4 months, I have had visions of me meeting my host family in the airport and other things of the same sort. It is exactly like in the movies, when the guy keeps imagining how the date is going to go, but then it is always wrong. seriously. I will think about discussions in my head, and then try to imagine the same discussion in Spanish. It's ridiculous. I am prepared for everything to NOT go as planned though.

My first host family includes Viviana and Jorge Rodriguez, and their son Jorgito(8). Yes, it is okay to laugh at the names "Jorge and Jorgito." I almost always say it with a stereotypical accent and chuckle. I have been emailing Viviana quite often. Viviana is an attorney, and Jorge is a civil engineer. They are an incredibly affectionate family, and I am sure they will treat me well. They also have a daughter my age that will be on an exchange to Luverne, Minnesota, while I am in Bolivia. Her name is Maria Jose, and she will be in Sucre for the first four days or so of my exchange.
As for Sucre, I could not have chosen a better place to spend for a year. I will be leaving the toasty, humid states for a perfectly moderate climate....which is maintained year-round. Yay! Adios, Iowa humidity and blizzards. Sucre(pop. 300,000) is nestled in an Andes valley at an altitude of 9,000 ft. I am going to have the sexiest, healthiest heart when I return home. Another yay!

I think that pretty much covers the typical questions. I am getting really good at answering the same questions over, and over, and over, and over, and so on. Public speaking will be cake after this year....thank goodness! I suppose this will be all until my arrival in Bolivia. Ciao!

P.S. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, Rotary and BBonner! Simply put, Rotary is amazing.




8 comments:

  1. Well this is just awesome..except for your running over your phone with the lawn mower OOPS!
    I love your blog and will visit it often. Best of luck to you. Post photo's as you able. Such a great kid..be safe and enjoy your experience.
    Mrs. Janae Harlow's mom~Kathe

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hayley,
    I wish you the safest of travels, you are going to have a womderful adventure! Please keep in touch, I will look forward to hearing from you.
    Good luck!
    Love you lots
    Elise

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great first post Hayley. Hey, Sylvia is bringing down that gray over-the-shoulder bag you liked. If you want, you can take it with, but you don't have to of course. Best of luck.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was there when she lost her cell phone but she found it in one piece, or should I say Darby found it. Enjoyed seeing you before you left Sweetheart. Have a great time and skype me when you can.

    I love you so much,
    Goob

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hayley,

    We know you are leaving tomorrow and just wanted to say good luck, be safe and enjoy. Looking forward to following your everyday adventures through this blog even though I am old and stupid when it comes to blogs I will try to learn.

    Love ya Babe,
    Goober and Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hayley,
    Have a safe journey, always remember you are a very intelligent young lady. You have a lot of people in Iowa that will miss you dearly. So glad you have this blog so we can keep in touch with you. Best of luck!
    Shelly

    ReplyDelete
  7. The adventure has begun! We left Hayley at the airport at 5 this morning in a torential downpour. All has gone well and she actually has a "family" member meeting her in Santa Cruz so she doesn't have to endure a 12 hour layover in the airport. I am SOOOOOOOO excited for her. Rock on Hayley!!! Love you sista!!!
    ---Love Mom

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gah I feel so anxious, I can't wait to hear about your journey there. I hope all goes well. :)

    ~Sarah C

    ReplyDelete