I am here!

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to tell you all that I am safe and sound in St. Lucia. What a trip! I took my plane out of Chicago at 5:40 am. I pretty much slept through this very short flight, until I of course, got sick toward the end of it. Thank God I did not get sick after the flight though, because otherwise I would have missed my flight to St. Lucia. I ran through the Atlanta airport in search of my flight to St. Lucia. I finally started running towards gate E-15 as I heard on the intercom, "Last call to board flight 561 to St. LUcia." When I saw gate E 14 skip to E 17, I got extremely nervous, but luckily, I ran back the other way, turned down another hallway, and just made it to my flight.

As luck would have it...I was seated first class! What!? I didnt pay for first class. After being offered a mimosa or orange juice, I gladly accepted the orange juice....fearing sickness if i accepted the first! Well then, a beautiful newly wed bride boarded the plane to sit down next to me, as her husband went to the back rows to sit by himself. As I was traveling alone, and probably the only person NOT on their honeymoon on that plane, I gladly swtiched seats with him so that they could enjoy their time together. Which was still great, cause I moved to the emergency exit where there was still plenty of room. I sat next to another newlywed couple, who I talked with a lot about St. Lucia. They seemed very excited.

As we started approaching the island, all I could do was smile, because I was almost touching down in the place that I love so much! I could hardly wait to get off that plane. After a while in customs and getting my luggage, I finally opened the doors to the island and to the sweltering heat. I saw Magnus right away, and breathed a sigh of relief that he was at the airport, and I didnt have to worry from then out. We waited for about 45 minutes for his cousin to show up with the van. In that time, we got to talk and catch up after having not seen eachother for a year and a half. By now I was drenched in sweat (what was I thinking cotton t-shirt and jean capris!?) but we loaded my massivly heavy suitcases in the van and headed out. After nearly an hour and a half ride, we finally got a hold of mr. nolley (who i am staying in his cottage) and figured out where we were supposed to be. We had to travel up a bunch of ricketly old roads that were extremely bumpy to get to the cottage. Magnus and his cousin dropped me off with my suitcases in the middle of the road and I changed into Mr. Nolley's van. From there, he drove me the 1/4 mile to his cottage, which is beautiful.

I have a kitchen, living room, bedroom and two beautiful porches that look out onto the sea and onto the beautiful island of St. Lucia. I had told Magnus to go home, beacuse I was exhausted and pretty much went right to bed after calling my mom. I slept from 6pm until 8 am when I woke up to the beautiful sounds of birds chirping, the forest swaying, and of course rain. It must have rained inches last night! I kept waking up to all these glourious sounds and to getting caught in my mosquito net, but none the less, it was a great sleep. Today, Mr. Nolley is going to walk me down to the orphanage and then Magnus will come get me later to take me around town and get me acquainted with things.

For now, I am going to unpack and get dressed. Maybe eat breakfast looking out on the island! Can't wait to right more!

Love

Amy