Arrival.

We seem to hgave overcome our technical difficulties (who knew a Google based blog site would be unsupported by a Google-based browser?), but this post was written last night. Hopefully by tomorrow we will figure out how to incorporate pictures! From Saturday:

Well, we made it! The group trickled in today from all over the US. Utah, Ohio, Mississippi, and half of Oklahoma flew through Houston, while Miami and the other half of Oklahoma arrived this morning.

Customs is little more laid back here in El Salvador. Unlike the US, travelers are allowed to roam the airport, shop, use the restroom, and eventually wander downstairs, where a customs officer collects the $10 visa fee and stamps passports.

After we claimed our bags, we stood in line to see if we would require additional screening. Here`s how it works: stand in line. Press a pedestrian crossing style button on a pole attached to a traffic light. If the light turns green, you may exit the airport. If it turns red, you walk to the side for additional screening. In the past, our group has had necessary items confiscated; we all looked nervous as we waited to see if we would get through with suture, crutches, spinal kits, and implants. Phew! We made it.

We settled into the hotel and tested the local margaritas to make sure they are up to par (they are). We enjoyed the rowdy band for what looks (and sounds, obviously) to be a great wedding. The first bus leaves at 6:30 tomorrow AM for patient screening. We'll do six surgeries tomorrow. We're recruiting hip patients to make sure we have enough, so if you happen to be in San Salvador, you may see Jordan, our Salt Lake PA, trying to pull people off the street!