Houston we are a go!

Three o'clock in the morning feels earlier when you are getting up then and not going to bed. But, when your international flight leaves at 6:40am and it is suggested you arrive 3 hours before it's no joke. With heightened security for all flights entering the United States customs is an ordeal to say the least. After a half dozen lines, from ticket check-in, to a holding pen, questioning from a customs agent bag check, shoes off, metal detector and finally a very intimate pat down from Ernie we managed to be the last group to board, second last row of a totally full plane. After an airline breakfast of Total cereal and a cake-like muffin I tried to sleep the rest of the 4 hour flight to Houston. Made it most of the way asleep until my strange dreams were interrupted by some jostling from some pretty good turbulence. I felt bad for the young girl in the last row who didn’t like the bumps. Made it to Houston in one piece though and now just killing time before the last leg of flying gets us to Managua.

Kris

Kris pretty much has it covered. George and I got the fifth degree from the immigration officer who was doing his patriotic duty in protecting his country. I also got the pat down before being grilled about the contents of my backpack. Apparently it set off alarms. So far the best part of the day is when George got I.D.'d when ordering a beer at lunch. Let the adventure begin!!

Lisa

I wasn’t attractive enough for the “pat-down” nice old lady just said get lost!! I probably will. Tight fit on the plane and fairly rough in spots but managed a few winks of sleep. Seems that practicing “napping” is paying off. Big Texas beef burger for a lunch and off on the final leg.

Dennis

We meet up with Ryan for a couple minutes last night, I relayed a terrible story that Steven Armitage had told us earlier in the evening – it seems a young girl in Edmonton had to be taken from her parents because they were beating her. They sent her to live with her grandparents but again had to be removed from their care because they also beat her. They tried a foster home, same result. Family services finally asked her where she thought she would be safe, she said she wanted to go live with the Edmonton Oilers, they don't beat anybody!

George

!