3/1/2001

8:35pm, Los Angeles

I'm writing this journal with the intention of having something to reflect on: some substantial piece of writing that will hopefully be able to document the supposedly significant changes that this trip will bring.

So far, it already feels like we have made half the journey, and we're only sitting on the floor at LAX, early as a result of being too keen to frantically buy last minute essentials and make our last contact with civilisation, with our friends and families, for an indefinite period of time. I know I said the whole point of this trip (or a personal goal of mine, at least), was to break the dependency I've come to have on the Internet and technology. However, I can't seem to deprive myself when an opportunity arises in such naturally disconnected circumstances.

Now, ironically, I find myself with 5 other members of our volunteer party, sitting on the floor with our massive backpacks. It's been a long, full, but tiring day. Crossing the International Date Line messed with our time zones majorly. Most of us have gone through 2 full days with little to no sleep, though not without help of a small Starbucks coffee (which is comparatively larger in the States). The day was spent seeing the popular attractions of LA: Hollywood Boulevard, Farmer's Markets, Venice Beach and the like. It felt almost wrong, acting like such a tourist, when I think ahead of what we'll be doing in Costa Rica.

Our flight leaves LAX at 12:30am. Hopefully our bodies will be able to overcome this jetlag rather quickly once we get settled into Heredia.