Hi all...well this is a test email to make sure I have the email group formatted right...and it is the first of many emails to come as I prepare to depart.  It's Thursday evening, 5:30 and I'm packed and ready.  My friend Cameron is picking me up in a bit and we are going to have dinner and then take me to the airport.  I fly to Mexico City and then transfer to another plane which will get me in Managua, Nicaragua around noon tomorrow. 

As far as I know a Hospitality Club member is picking me up at the airport in Nicaragua named Ricardo Juarez and I will stay with him for two nights.  However, these things sometimes fall through so my back up plan is the Backpackers Hostel in el Centro de Nicaragua.  I will then go to Granada where I will spend the bulk of my Nicaragua time.

The last few hours leading up to departure are always so stressful...I always feel like I forgot something, get into "what if this happens?", did I turn everything off, did I finish all my work, etc.  Once I get to the airport...I feel completely at ease and excited.   I can't describe it..but it is like being at peace with where I am at the moment.  It is quite adventurous to just go somewhere and not really have a plan..and to be honest this is probably my least planned trip....I've been so busy I didn't get to adequately plan and partly I just felt like why not just show up and go with the flow. No matter how much you plan stuff..things always change.

Hopefully I will find my internet café tomorrow evening and let you know that I arrived all safe and sound.  Thank you for letting me take you along!