Sunday, Arriving in Belize

2:43, Jan. 24, 2010, Sunday,

I am finally here! I am sitting on a hard bench in the hold of Philip S. Goldson International Airport. I’ve actually been sitting here since 1:20. It’s hot outside, but it’s nice in here, and since I’ve got another half hour or so of waiting for the rest of the group’s American Airlines flight, I am writing—by hand!

I awoke at 4 am and Jon took me to the Norfolk Airport. I got teary when we parted. However, I do have some photos of him and my little album of the pets. I have looked through it once already. Before I got through security, I was patted down, but that’s all. I got through okay and found my gate. My mind wanted coffee, but my body didn’t want anything for nerves. The plane took off pretty much on time. A kind, but bland and boring man sat next to me and slept most of the time. I peeked at his boarding pass; his name was Kenneth.

The plane took off 15 minutes late, so our 6:15 flight turned into a 7:13 am one on account of rainy weather and low visibility in Atlanta. They even re-routed the flight pattern. As a result, I didn’t get off the plane in GA until about 9:30 am to connect with my 10:05 flight to Belize! After hearing so much about the Atlanta Airport’s size, I was very worried. Luckily, right after I got off, I was directed to a staircase and boarded a tram before its doors closed. It only took 3 quick stops to get to my concourse; from B to E. Too bad my gate was 32 and when I found the correct wing of the concourse, it started at 26. I’d already been running here and there, but at that point I kept up a good determined trot and made it into the last of the trailing line! Too bad that once on the plane, the captain let us know that the weather was doing too poorly for take-off. I dozed off, and when the plane got moving again, it was only to get in line behind 6 or 7 other aircraft.

On the flights, I read a lot. I finished a book on how to write my novel in a year, and I started my second Karen Miller book. I ate some cashews and Chex Mix my mom bought me and some granola bars and fruit snacks from home. I got Sprite on the flight.

At last, the second plane took off. Both flights were only 2 hours, but they seemed to take forever. When I saw land after passing the Gulf of Mexico, I wasn’t sure if it was perhaps part of Mexico, but the land was beautiful; especially when we flew lower over what I assume was Belize. It was very odd to fly alone, though.

When I got off the plane, it was pretty hot outside. Many employees of the airport were standing, sitting, even lying around! I showed my passport and got it stamped. After I got my bag, I knew I should wait before customs as Diann told me, but the customs officials made me go through. I was nervous but I got through okay. They peeked into my large bag but of course nothing made them suspicious there, thank God.

It is now 3:10, so I expect the group to appear at any moment!