Thank you for the advice on the phone. Getting a "disposable phone" sounds like a fine idea. I can communicate with him while I'm there, and maybe even be able to communicate with my family by using the Facebook chat feature (if the phone has data) or text messages.
I'm hoping the trip will be fun. I haven't seen my friend since before his children were born, even though we've kept in touch. I went to Costa Rica once with a friend, but haven't been out of the country otherwise (does across the border to Mexico or Canada even count as international???). I'll be there two weeks, so that should be enough time for culture shock to wear off enough for me to enjoy the trip!!
Thanks for the advice on the "blood pudding" or sausage, or whatever.....I'll avoid anything with the word "blood" in the title. He does want me to make Southern biscuits, as soon as he can wrap his head around the fact that they aren't digestives.
For some reason, physical adjustments on the flight have me more worried than strange food, and even stranger accents, do! I don't typically have a problem with flying. I've flown from Charlotte to Costa Rico, Palm Springs, Denver.....those were long flights. This one shouldn't really be different, correct?