Greetings from Hastings, Nebraska

I'm home. Home sweet home. Back in cold Nebraska. I'm sure everyone who's been stuck here is enjoying the sun right now but I'm freezing. It's not the same. I've already been harassed by my roommates for turning the heat on too high. But it is nice to be home. I missed my own space, my own bed, and I think most importantly, my own clean shower.

It feels weird to be back in the States. I drove home with another girl from the trip yesterday and couldn't stop staring out the window at all the cement and buildings that surrounded me. Little things like a frozen lake completely caught me off guard. We joked about all of the differences that we saw during the drive.

Our little travel group spent the last four days of our trip at a resort in Cancun. At first, I was shocked at the resort lifestyle and Cancun. Everyone was screaming and hollering about the ocean as we drove up to our resort, but I sort of sat in a stunned silence. It was beautiful, don't get me wrong, but I was very aware of the fact that we seemed like rich, spoiled, American tourists. The feeling wore off about 15 minutes after we'd hit the beach, but it was a completely different change of pace. Overall, it was a wonderful way to end our trip.

The beaches were so beautiful and the sand was so white and soft beneath my feet. The water was clear and I could see all the way down to my feet. I think I could listen to the waves hit the shore forever. I'm from Colorado so I get the question "would you rather live by the mountains or the ocean" a lot and I've always said I'd rather live by the ocean. I think this entire month has reaffirmed that answer.

I was very surprised at the lack of people and life outside. I understand that it's cold and no one wants to head outside to sit on porches to enjoy each other and watch their children play, but I barely saw anyone outside of their cars or a building on the way home. When we arrived at my apartment, I unloaded my bags in a deserted parking lot and walked up to my front door without seeing anyone. Where is everybody? Where are the people? I think I'm really going to miss the friendly atmosphere I became so accustomed to in Belize and Guatemala.

I'll be uploading pictures one of these days. I can't believe I have so many...three full memory cards...so it might take a while, but I'll get them up as soon as I can.