MCAD Guatemala 2010

we are ALL home!

Megan Leafblad — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:33:53 +0000

just got word that Bernard & Charles’ plane is on the ground. So, we are all back in the states! Waking up in my own bed this morning was surreal. I am definitely happy to be home, but truly missing all of my fellow adventurers, and feeling a sense of sadness & helpless about the state of Guatemala and most of Central America.

Over the next few days I will be trying to post photos and itineraries from all of the days of the trip. Guate Gang- I would love for you to help me fill in the gaps and tell our stories! Simultaneously this group of travelers would like to have your help as we think about ways to give to and support Guatemala during this time of devastation and need.

Muchos abrazos mis amigos. Te extraño mucho a todos

monday afternoon update- mexico city and beyond

Megan Leafblad — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:23:57 +0000

we now all have a stamp in our passports for visiting mexico, such a crazy side adventure for all of us. Crossing the boarder in the middle of the night was definitely an experience. I am very proud of our group, everyone was flexible, mature, and light hearted while dealing with a lot of difficulties. Of course we are still geting punches thrown at us. Here is the update:

MSP group 1- this crew is still here in the Mexico city airport waiting for their flights through Houston. They are still on track with their itinerary.

MSP group 2- is also hanging out in the MEX airport waiting for our delayed plane to arrive so we can go to Charlotte. So far the delay shouldn’t cause any problems since we have a longish layover.

JFK/Theo- We sent sweet Theo off on his flight to New York. He should be the first of us to set foot on US soil!

BWI/Dulles/Reagen Crew i.e. Bernard & Charles- Because of the delay in the flight to Charlotte these guys are having to spend the night in the Mexico city airport and take a direct flight in the am. They should be contacting you with their exact information. Thankfully they will get to rest in a nice free airport hotel (in the airport) and have all of their meals paid for.

Such a crazy adventure we are having. Huge thanks to my co-partner in this Bernard Canniffe, his level head and experience have helped us make difficult descions and take this return home one step at a time. And to the MCADers on this trip, YOU ROCK. I already miss being together as the guate gang. SAFE TRAVELS and you all better call me and text me when you get home.

change for the 2nd MSP group!

Megan Leafblad — Mon, 31 May 2010 11:21:57 +0000

it is amazing how many hiccups we have experienced getting home. We are all in the Tapalucha airport about to board the plane for Mexico City. When the 2nd group of MSP six tried to check in our entire reservation had been cancelled. Apparently there was some issues at 2:40 this morning and our entire reservation disappeared. GOOD NEWS IS THIS, we got online and rebooked! But we will be coming in a bit later than before

Courtney, Amy, Katelyn, Katherine, Amy, and Megan will leave MEX on US Airways on flight #828

MEX, 1:40> CLT (Charlotte), 6:21pm

US Airways #352

CLT, 10:11pm > MSP, 11:48

hoping this is the last time we update flight info etc before we see you folks at home!

flight to Dulles

Megan Leafblad — Sun, 30 May 2010 23:36:17 +0000

AIR MEX # 2487

TAP, 6:40 am>MEX, 8:20 am

US Airways #828

MEX, 1:40pm > Charlotte 6:21pm

US Airways #2630

Charlotte, 8:05 pm> IAD (Dulles), 9:30 pm

JFK flight

Megan Leafblad — Sun, 30 May 2010 23:27:08 +0000

Itinerary for JFK

Aero Mexico flight #2487. TAP, 6:40am> MEX, 8:20 am

Aero Mexico #402. MEX, 10:25am> JFK, 4:20pm

travelers to MSP

Megan Leafblad — Sun, 30 May 2010 23:09:24 +0000

The whole group will fly from TAP > MEX together tomorrow am, on Aero Mexico Flight #2487
We booked the first group of 6 on the first available flight which is as follows. After we booked that there wasn’t room for the 2nd group of 6, so their itinerary will appear after.

Group 1
Lairen, Kacie, Jordan, Jean, Nathan, and Vicky
Aero Mexico #2487
TAP, 6:40am> 8:20am

Continential # 1525
MEX, 5:25 pm> IAH (houston) 7:42pm

Continential #2816
IAH, 8:55pm >MSP 11:33pm

The second group will go through Chicago. It is Katherine, Courtney, Amy, Katelyn, Hanna, and Megan.

Aero Mexico #2487
TAP, 6:40 am> MEX, 8:20am

Aeromexico # 686
MEX, 9:40 am> ORD (Chicago) 1:40pm

American Airlines, Flight 1493
ORD 3:10pm > MSP 4:35pm

Itineraries for the Baltimore & New York crew are coming.

hoping to see you all monday night

Megan Leafblad — Sun, 30 May 2010 21:00:56 +0000

good news, the road to tapachula is clear. we are trying to get our things ready to hit the road! we are just in the process of purchasing new tickets, but I believe the itinerary will be the same as the ones I posted if we left on Sunday. (we might be arriving a bit later) More to come!

sunday am update

Megan Leafblad — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:37:32 +0000

We just finished the most delicious breakfast at the black cat hostel and the sun is shining here in Xela. We are meeting with a travel agent this afternoon to assess the roads out of Xela and see how work has progressed to clear them. We are putting all of our positive energies towards keeping the rain away and hoping the Guatemalans that need help are getting it.

There is a small chance that the roads to Tapachula or Tuxtla may be cleared this afternoon or tomorrow morning if the rain holds off. Again we are waiting until we are confident that we will all be safe before leaving Xela. We hope to see you all soon.

we are doing okay here in xela

Megan Leafblad — Sun, 30 May 2010 04:36:56 +0000

We aren’t sure how much is in the news in the states, but we want you all to know that we are doing just fine. We are at a high altitude in the city center and staying in safe accommodation, so the storms aren’t creating chaos here. There are many problems outside of the city center, so please keep the people of Guatemala in your minds and hearts.

It is a bit difficult to obtain updates, but we do know that the roads heading out of the city are closed and that the airport in Guatemala City is still closed due to the volcano and the storms. We will continue to play it by ear and keep you all informed. We have internet access at the hostel (and free breakfast!). The city center is on high ground and it is very unlikely that we will have flooding. Please continue to use the blog as a means to communicate. All the students are doing well, you should be proud. Another update will be coming in the am. If you are getting other information about the storm in the states, please post here so we can get all the accurate information.

in between all the hard work

Megan Leafblad — Sat, 29 May 2010 23:04:23 +0000

we found some time to enjoy all the amazing sites and culture that guatemala has to offer. On thursday after a morning of painting and working at the school we headed to Fuentes Georgina, http://www.lasfuentesgeorginas.com/ amazing hot spring up in the mountains.