aqui estoy...

el primer dia:
The day began at 4:30 AM to wake up, get ready, and travel to Akron/Canton airport for my flight departure at 7:00 AM. It was delayed 30 minutes, however, that was the only glitch in the flight connections to Charlotte, Miami, and San Jose, Costa Rica. I enjoy flying...having time to read and journal, meeting two ladies from Colombia,stretching my legs in the terminal to make it to the next gate, seeing God's glory from the sky in the clouds, the mountains, and the crystal ocean...what a blessed first day!

I arrived in the rain...it is 'el invierno' here...that is the rainy season. It rains most every day in the afternoon. We are also 2 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Going through customs in San Jose was simple. No questions asked. Javier and Annie (LASP prof and intern) welcomed me after I claimed my luggage. The rest of the group met up in Miami to travel together later this evening. So I was privileged to travel to the LASP (Latin American Studies Program) facilities during rush hour with them and get to know them and them to know me (en espanol). Annie and I spent time with Laura, another professor of LASP, in her office. We just had pizza together and will travel back to the airport to greet the other LASPers later this evening. I am excited to meet them and begin this journey together! We will spend the night together and be paired with our host familias tomorrow.

Gloria a Dios, Joanne
(Glory to God).