This is happening.

Amigos y Familia, (<--- see how rockin' my spanish is? front!)

I think our guest total is around 32 right now. What? Gary and I could not be more amazed and how many of you are going to make it. It's unbelievable.
We arrive on February 2nd, and will be staying somewhere in the area. So, as people arrive just come down to the beach and chill with us, or do your own thing. Whatever. We check in to the house on February 9th at 12:00p and check out February 17th at 12:00pm.

Ceremony update: The wedding and reception will now be held at the house our parents are renting which is like 2 km down the road. We can walk, bus it, or get a ride (there are a couple people renting cars). Prepare to work! If throwing together wedding decorations and cooking all day sounds like your idea of a good time, then let's do it. We're going to do the wedding ourselves. And by ourselves I mean everyone but me. Wink!
My sister, Lyndsay, will be your boss on the 14th. She's funny, hot, she's got a dirty mouth, and you need to listen to her. She is El Capitain Delegate.

I can't wait to drink cheap beer, get sunburned, and find sand in places it doesn't belong with all of you!!!!

One last thing, our colors are midnight blue and white, if you are the type of person who cares about such things.

XO,
Carrie

Registry! Help us get there


The gift registry has been created.
We really don't need small appliances, bath towels, or candles. That's not to say that we we would be offended by new front loading washer and dryer, toilet, roofing, and siding for our home in Chickaloon, but we still have some construction to finish first.

If you are looking to get us something, the most memorable gift for us would be your support of our trip to Central America and making our wedding beautiful!






Accommodation DEETS!

Word!
We are 85 days or 12 weeks and 1 day away from getting married.

So, many of you are looking for some more details on recommended accommodations. I've looked into a few places for you.
The following three places are all at km (kilometer marker) 42 which is .5km from Los Farallones OR about 1/3 of a mile OR about 1600 feet.
To put it into perspective... that's about 6-7 average city blocks.... probably less than one trip around the Trapper Creek circle.... 60% of the distance between the inner most Esplanade to the Man at Black Rock City.

1. Eco Del Mar info@ecosurfelsalvador.com is located at km42
http://www.ecosurfelsalvador.com/ Price is total persons 2-4 persons A/C $40-$80 for all persons,
NO A/C $35-65. for all persons

2. La Sombra Hostel is located at km42
http://www.surflibre.com/hostaleseltunco.htm $6.-$20 per night

3. Tunco Lodge is located at km42
http://www.hosteltrail.com/tuncolodge/ $25-30. for 2 people per room

Does that help at all??? Hostel Trail dot com also list Hotel Mopelia at km42.

Let me know if you have any questions!
Carrie

126 days OR 18 weeks OR 4 months away!


Yo!
Here's an update for you folks who just can get enough G & C in your life.
1. To the LEFT is a better map of the area with an actual address
Km. 41.5 Carretera del Litoral, La Libertad, El Salvador

2. We have purchased our tickets! We are going a bit early to hang out and get a lay of the land enjoying our our pre-marital time together before everyone arrives. The wedding party is the 9-17th, so if you are looking at tickets, please use those dates, or very near those dates. Gary and I will also be doing a bit of honeymooning after the 17th.

3.I bought my dress! Woop!

4. Los Farallones' website looks a little different than it use to. The Beach House has, this last year, turned into a resort-ish place. It's now more expensive and there are more rooms, but they are going to honor our original agreement that we made last February and not book any of their other rooms to outside guests. The rooms are like $90. a night which is expensive!

5. Last but not least. We are trying to figure out how many people are really coming. If you are for sure going to be there, please let us know asap. If you are on the fence, let us know that too. If you absolutely can't come, let us know and we'll take you off of the 'maybe' list. I have to get a close number to the Beach House in December since they are doing the wedding for us.

You can always call or email us with any questions!
Love
Carrie



El Salvador or Bust!


When: February 14th, 2012. Valentine's Day, baby! The whole shebang is from Thursday the 9th- Friday the 17th.

Where: Playa El Tunco, El Salvador, Central America. The actual super short ceremony will be at Los Farallones Beach House on Playa El Tunco.

Lodging: There will be room for 12-14 people including the happy couple at the Beach House where we are staying. Family will get first dibs. I'll be posting lodging recommendations in the near vicinity very soon.

Website of Los Farallones here with pictures.

What Lonely Planet has to say about El Salvador.

Playa El Tunco is one of several amazing beaches outside (several kilometers) of La Libertad, El Salvador and is only 30 minutes from the airport. Like I said, we will post lodging recommendations that are very close to the beach house for those of you who prefer to not be kept awake with music and partying, or there's just not enough room.

If you are looking up flights, make sure that you look for San Salvador, El Salvador NOT San Salvador, Chile. Big difference. Estimated about 5 hours from LAX.

Stay tuned!









Lodging and Shoestrings













Above is a very basic map of the area.

I recommend getting this lovely book on Central America. In it, you'll find great Lonely Planet picks on lodging, eats, and, what to do in the area, and beyond!
If you don't need that much information, you can buy digital .pdf chapters of the book here for $4.95

As I said... here are some lodging recommendation from the web and from lonely planet.

Family will have first dibs on the rooms in the house. There are only 3 rooms with 2 double or queen beds in each room. But we have a kitchen and pool and two story gazebo for everyone to come hang out in. If you aren't staying in the house see below. Anyone who is staying in the house need be prepared for late night drinking, pool splashing, and loud friends.
This is going to be so much fun!

Qi-X Surf House looks pretty sweet. Starting at $20-30/night

Papaya's Lodge $8-14/night description in Lonely Planet

Hotel Mopelia $10-30/ night depending on whether you want a/c- description in Lonely Planet

La Guittarra $35-75/night Lonely Planet makes it sound awesome!

Eco Del Mar $25-50/night depending on guests and a/c description in Lonely Planet

Tunco Lodge Starting at $25-30/night

La Sombra Hostel Starting at $10-20/night description in Lonely Planet

Hotel Tekuani Kal Starting at 73.50 single rooms and up to $105. for 4 person rooms/night.



More lodging recommendations to come, hopefully.













Cross your i's and dot your t's

WikiTravel has a nice and concise overview of El Salvador. Travel Guide

For those of you who aren't travely inclined. I thought I'd lay out a few steps that you're going to have to take to leave America the beautiful and step into El Salvador the awesome.

Do you have a passport?
Yes? Make sure it's valid (not expired) for 90 following your departure from El Salvador
No? Click here and follows these easy step by step instruction on applying for your first passport.

El Salvadorian visa for entry/ exit- See here that U.S. citizens will need to purchase a tourist card for $10. upon arrival from immigration officials. There is also a departure tax or exit fee that is usually included in your airline ticket of approx. $40

Airport- You're going to be flying into El Salvador International Airport. The airport code is SAL. A non-stop flight from Los Angeles is 5 hours. Your travel time will obviously vary. From Anchorage there are connections in Seattle or Houston so you won't have too many stops.

Language- Get to know the basics. Bathroom, Money, Hello, Goodbye, Food, Help, etc. It might also be handy to bring along a dictionary that has English words and their Spanish translation, so you can look up words in English and communicate your idea or question in Spanish.

Use common sense.