The Journey into Bliss, is not so blissful...

Even though I haven't received all the pictures from my trip, I thought I'd start posting them anyway. Missy's camera has all the fun video footage from zip-lining and the last couple days.. but I figure if I post it by each day, by the time I make it to that point, I'll have those pictures. So here goes... I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Day One: Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger...

So, due to my excellent procrastination skills, I was running around like a mad women the day we were leaving. I put all daily functions aside... eating, drinking water, breathing... and just focused on "my list". As we were driving to LAX, and I finally had a chance to evaluate my condition, I realized the hunger pangs that had been stabbing me all day. So I told myself, just get through security and you can get food in the Terminal while you wait 2 hours for your flight. Imagine my surprise when we finally get through and meet up with the rest of our group to find out that the restaurant in the terminal is closed. And the Starbucks next to it. And the snack stand down the way. Everybody say it with me, "Seriously?? Seriously!" There was no food coming. No ice cold bottled water. The only thing that damn terminal had open was a drinking fountain. A room temperature trickle of water, which had a line. By the time you walked back from the drinking fountain, you were thirsty again. It was unreal. I was in survival mode. Conserving energy. No talking, no laughing... Just kept repeating, make it to the flight, make it to the flight.

Wasting away at the airport... will blog for food.

And now is the part of the story where I tell you we flew out the night of Daylight Savings. Our flight was scheduled to leave at like 2:05, so we were confused as to what time that actually was. And when we asked the counter, they had no sort of answer either. So long, miserable story short, we had to wait an additional hour at the Gate. And then the only meal we'd be getting on the plane was breakfast towards the end of the 6-hour flight. But I made it through that wilderness... oh, somehow I made it through, ooh ooh...  (Sorry, couldn't resist) 

And after another 5-6 hour nightmarish bus ride through Costa Rica (and I thought my driving was bad... Yikes), we had finally reached our destination. Hotel Los Mangoes, in Montezuma. AKA Paradise. Welcome, friends. 

The Shuttle Crew, and also half the kids attending the retreat.

Freddy, Our first Tico friend. There's just something about him that reminds me of my Great-Grandpa.

 He's like the younger, Latin version.

Me and Miss on our bus ride. Bellies full. Two happy little Campers.

Final Destination, Bungalow 18.