Safely Arrived in Managua

Nothing much exciting to report as today was just my travel day. I was up unitl about 2:30 am last night & up at 5:30 so my main goal was to sleep on my first flight! My dear friend Linda took me to the airport & I originally was in the last row of the plane & supposedly the flight was full but I nicely asked the agent if anything opened up more in the middle of the plane would she move me & just as we were boarding she motioned me up & I ended up in row 22 with the middle seat open (tender mercy) so I did sleep for 1 1/2-2 hours of my Orange County to Houston flight. I had a 3 hour layover in Houston so I treated myself to a "Texas BBQ Lunch" of beef brisket, coleslaw & corn bread as my last "real meal" - it was yummy. I made my way to the other terminal & my gate & met 2 of the doctors who were also on my flight to Managua. Dr. Murray Kesselman the Pediatric Intensivist from Canad who will be in the Recovery room with us & Dr. George Lesznik one of the Anesthesiologists. They were both super nice & it was really nice to be traveling with other Op Smile people. That flight was fine too...we arrived in Managua, went thru customs & paid our $10 for a Visa - I could be here for 30 days if I wanted!!! we got our luggage - I was happy to see it arrived :) and then went thru customs. In amny of the Latin American countries you put your bags on a belt that goes thru the xray machine & either a red or green light comes on & if a red one comes on your bag is searched. I was SO HAPPY to get a green light because if they opened up my luggage they would probably think I was going to open a childrens clothing store!!!  Thanks to sweet friends & a generous luggage policy I packed 15 pairs of flip flops, 16 dresses, about 10 boys outfits, & 15 CHOC T Shirts plus some bath & body items I bought  for the moms of the sweet patients. That pretty much filled one entire suitcase!   
We are staying at the Hotel Hex...it is not bad - the rooms are about the size of a small dorm rrom with 2 small twin beds - & that is fine :) My roomate hasn't arrived yet, there are a few people who had flight issues. I did meet Eva the other Recovery Room nurse - so I have met our entire PACU team & that is nice! After reaching out by email I was contacted by 2  of the LDS Church Stake  Presidents in this area & fingers crossed that I will get to meet them on Saturday & use some money friends gave me to help church members here in Nicaragua - it is so AMAZING to be a part of a worldwide church - I am excited about that.
The crazy mission schedule starts tomorrow - wake up at 5:30 am, breakfast at 6, bus to hospital at 6:45, meeting at hospital 7-8 am then set up & start screening. They expect we may screen 200 children - it is sure to be a busy day. we are going to be at a "German Military Hospital" - clearly my history knowledge is lacking as I am not sure why or when the Germans were in Nicaragua???
I am looking forward to seeeing Erika & meeting the rest of the team in the morning and I am certain  there will be some very sweet & humble people that we will meet tomorrow in screening - that I will then introduce to my family & friends via my blog. Screening while hectic is often one of my favorite days! Good Night from Managua Nicaragua!