El Salvador at Last

Headed to the Des Moines Airport after pretty much no sleep last night. I could hardly wait to get this adventure started. Met with several of my team members at the airport for the flight to Dallas. In Dallas all team members met for the flight to El Salvador. All flights went well and we arrived in El Salvador. I am pretty nervous as I have never been through this kind of security before. The line to the immigration desk went like a snail. Once it was my turn I presented my paper work along with a ten dollar bill to pay for my Visa into the country. The agent at the desk was very friendly and made going through immigration quick and easy.

Well, immigration went ok, now I have to get my luggage and take it through . Oh I forgot to tell you, everyone on the trip brought 1 suitcase and a backpack. But me the rookie at this kind of travel had 2 large suitcases plus a backpack. Next time I will pack lighter.Next customs, You walked up to what looked like a stop light. If when you pushed the button it was green you just entered without baggage search. Of course, when I pushed the button it came up red so off to screening. So I put my stuff through the x-ray machine, the agent had me open one bag that he looked through. Again the agent was very friendly but I need to know some Spanish before the next trip. He asked me about the cement trowels in my bag. I had a little trouble getting across to him what they were. Finally I though masons and told him they were for the masons and he understood and I was allowed to enter the country..

After a short wait our host from Habitat for Humanity El Salvador arrived and led us to our transportation. We were going to stay at a bed and breakfast in San Salvador and then make the 2 hour trip to Usulutan in the morning. Since this is a bed and breakfast they had our dinner catered by a local chef. he turned out to be great fun. He called himself "Chef Azure (blue)". He was a local TV chef. He fixed us a wonderful vegetarian lasagna. His English was excellent and shared allot of stories and some useful information to help make our stay better.

Next arriving in Usulutan.