Well it's been a busy few weeks as we get closer to our departure date for what should be an interesting adventure. Fundraising at work, taking the form of numerous lunches, has been successful and for foodies out there Colin and I may just have elevated expectations for workplace lunch BBQ's. Hot dogs and Hamburgers just aren't going to cut it anymore! I'm thinking this is a good thing..... and from comments at work I think so does everyone else. That along with the support of family and friends has meant that I've met my fundraising goals and I'm ready to go! A great feeling and a sense of accomplishment! Thanks to all of you for your support. As many of you are aware I've been interested in doing one of these trips for sometime, helping build decent clean housing for families in need.
Many of you may not be aware but to be involved in a Habitat For Humanity Global Village trip takes more then a simple decision to go. An application is required, followed by an interview, and then possible acceptance. In our case Guatemala was where Colin (friend and co-worker) and I had decided we'd try to go. Fortunately both were accepted following applications and interviews with our team leaders for the trip, Sue and Jessica.
I'd worked at the local HFH build site previously but this is my first venture to a foreign location. Of course there has been many questions which have over time been answered thanks to Sue and Jessica. There are 17 of us going, many of us from across Canada. A group of strangers at this point,but, trying to get a sense of each of our backgrounds, at least in a basic way. A website has been set up to allow each of us to provide basic bio info but of course we won't really get a chance to know each other until we meet and share the joy of hard work in the hot humid climate of Guatemala (I think I'm still thinking of it as "joy"). Nothing the matter with a little hard work and a chance to help others which should make for a very interesting cultural experience.
This week was the final date for the payment of all our trip expenses and to have our airline flights in order. By the way, getting to Guatemala, from Vancouver is not an easy route....a guarantee for a long layover somewhere, or at the least a red eye flight can be expected. Trips to the travel clinic are coming soon. Have to make certain I'm covered for protection against any of the bugs that we might be exposed to on this foray.
As we move closer to the beginning of this trip, less then 6 weeks away, I'm finding myself getting a bit excited about visiting Guatemala, meeting and working with the families we're going to help. We'll certainly be seeing a side of Guatemala one couldn't see as a tourista...
