One final Chao by Emily Rhatigan

I can't believe it's time to say goodbye! These passed four weeks have been nothing but absolutely amazing.  I have met the nicest people, new friends, and lifelong lessons and experiences that I will keep with me forever. I can't think the people on this trip, my host family, and my teachers enough for all the incredible adventures and activities that occurred. This last week has been so crazy, so busy, and so emotional.

Kassie, Fabiola, me and Mariela

Katty and Me

This week on Tuesday, we went to a tiny school in the mountains to help plant some trees.  This school only have one building with less than 15 children that went here and were from first through sixth grade. There was a fire in the mountains not too long ago that burned down a good bit of the forest near the school, but thankfully just missed the school.  So, we helped them plant a bunch of trees to help rebuild the forest they had lost. 

The holes before we planted the trees!

On Wednesday, we taught in the classroom all day and at night had our formal teacher dinner at a delicious BBQ place right next to Huertos. This was the most bittersweet moment.  All emotions came upon me at once, when my body had finally realized that my time here was running out. I a shed a lot of tears and cherished all my people around me for one of our last times together. 

Thursday is when all the real good byes started happening. It was a busy fun filled day. We taught in the classrooms in the morning and then left school early to go to a BBQ lunch.  At lunch, we sang our hearts out to karaoke and made ourselves look like fools, but it's okay because we were all having the time of our lives. We learned Chile's national dance, the cueca, along with a dance from Easter Island, which was super odd, but super cool! After the delicious BBQ, we went back to school for their annual English song festival. The kids from the school and from other schools around come and sing English songs to all the gringos and school community. Lastly, we ended the night with a cocktail party put on by the PTG of the school.  

Me, Haley, Kassie and Morgan at the BBQ

And lastly Friday, the final days of goodbyes.  I spent my day getting in last minute teaching experience and saying goodbye to all my students in the classroom.  Having to say bye to everyone here was so sad.  Saying goodbye to my teachers and students (1D) was very hard and a little bit heartbreaking. I hope one day I can come back and visit here!  To say I'm going to miss it here is an understatement. 

My 1D class not wanting me to leave 

Martin is crying because he has to say goodbye