Editor’s Note:
Somehow this story was published and then deleted during the travel day. Ali has now safely made it to La Paz, but you can still read about her travels below! Sorry for any confusion!
Post:
I am on my way! After last-minute goodbyes, a frantic stop at the travel clinic, and some tasty last bites of Cheesecake Factory (YUM), my family helped me load my oversized bags into the car to head down to O’Hare.
The past 24 hours have been long and included lots of packing and morale boosting from the fam. I loved cramming travel into my time at college (live, love, Spirit airlines) but I have to admit this experience has been a bit different. Besides the obvious (I have more than just a backpack), maneuvering the San Salvador airport is finally starting to make everything feel real. Little things like bathroom doors that are indistinguishable from the rest of the wall are really starting to add up and test my patience and adaptability.
I’m holding on to the good moments like saying goodbye to my good pal, Myrtle, the 2001 VW Golf that let me get her up to 246,000 miles (and she’s for sale if anybody is interested)! I’ve also treated myself to two pumpkin spice lattes (if anybody tells my old boss at Farside that I succumbed to that, I will find you) and have busied myself on the plane rides with music and writing (check out the most recent NF album if you haven’t already). I’ve made it through the first two flights and now have two more to go (just under 12 more hours until I land in La Paz)!
When I arrive, one of the current interns from America and the head of HR will meet me with a car and help get me and all my gear to my apartment. This time tomorrow I will be either catching up on rest or exploring the city! My first day of work isn’t until Monday so I’ll have time to adjust and get settled beforehand.
Please continue to pray for safety and sanity as I finish this travel journey! I will keep y’all updated as I’m able.