Day One started with a 6 am meeting at RDU Airport. We added some team equipment to personal bags and checked in through International Departures and flew to Atlanta. Short layover and then on to Guatemala City.

Customs was a painless experience. We were met by high-ranking Officers in the Guatemalan Military as well as Silvana Ayuso and Rodger Harrison of Paramedics for Children. We were quickly and efficiently (did I mention quickly?) transported to our quarters near the airport.

We met Colonel Roman and Colonel Charchal, who were instrumental in clearing the way for us to travel to Guatemala to teach. The warm greeting and kind words that flowed made us all feel honord to have an opportunity to work with such dedicated professionals.

After lunch, we checked in and unpacked, then off to meet Minister of Defense Abraham Valenzuela and the Vice President, Dr. Rafael Espada. We were warmly greeted by everyone and made to feel very welcome. Dr. Espada lived for a number of years in the US and is an accomplished surgeon. He spoke frankly about the past and present in Guatemala and his plans and hopes for the future.

A stroke of luck put our arrival on the same day that a very popular young singer named Fabiola was performing near the Presidential Palace. We were escorted to seats next to the stage and promptly floored by the talent of this singer, She sang "I Will Always Love You" with a range that equaled if not surpassed Whitney Houston, and she's only sixteen!

Tomorrow we begin training. Our students are all in the military, which will be using the truck and equipment on it. In brief discussions with the "students" we were impressed with the skills that they already have - although they use different names, they are well versed in the knots we use in the states. We recognized quickly that this visit was going to be an exchange of knowledge. The Guatemalan Rescue team responds to incidents in numerous Latin American countries, and the people they have are skilled and knowledgeable.

Initial Impressions? Wonderful hospitality, warm and friendly people. A five-hundred year-old city with amazing architecture, including the remnants of an aquaduct built centuries ago. A group of eager students including seasoned commanders and elite paratroopers (Paracadiste) who radiate capability. It's going to be a tiring week, but we are tremendously excited about the days ahead.