That's a Wrap!

I can't believe it's already been three weeks since I started this adventure. I remember landing in Chile and wondering what lay ahead and how I had so much time to experience everything. Not only did it go by really fast but it also felt a lot longer than just three weeks. Between the journeys with my family and fun times with the group trips, I can't believe we fit all of that into just three weeks. Going into this, all I had was excitement and curiosity. I had no idea what to expect. I wanted to like my host family and vice versa. I wanted to experience all there was to Chile. I wanted to like the schools. The whole experience was all I had wished for and more. Standing in the airport with my host family saying goodbye was the hardest part of the entire trip. On the final plane ride to Concepcion in the beginning, I kept telling my friends that I wanted to like my host family so much that it would be hard to leave them. I surely got that wish. We took one last picture and I waved goodbye to them through the glass watching them go back to their normal lives wondering if I would ever be lucky enough to see them again. Living with them made the experience ten times more enjoyable. I actually felt part of their family and for that I can never thank them enough. I got to go to some of the coolest places that I never imagined I'd ever get the chance to see. I learned all about what it's like to communicate with someone without using the same language. I fell in love with Toddy cookies. And I gained a new perspective after being in another country's school. I will never forget this experience or the times I shared with the people I met and the people I went with.

My wonderful Chilean sisters Barbara and Connie

I annoyed her enough by making her hang out with me the entire trip. Thanks for the laughs, Kali!

Sweet and spunky Mariela. I hope to have the attitude towards teaching that she had every day.

The last thing I thought I'd do on this trip is run a 5k. Guess ya never know what to expect when you go out of the country. At least Barbara and her friend, Victoria, ran it with me. Just kidding. I ran while they walked. 

Gotta say there is nothing like being a few feet away from a huge sea lion. Or sea wolf as they call them in Chile. 

Unfortunately ya can't find views like this in flat Louisiana. Can't find the hot springs either! 

Emilio!! If I could have taken him and Connie home, I would have been more than ecstatic. Kenny was right. Somehow Chilean children are cuter than U.S. children. But these children made the days even more exciting.

The times I spent here and the memories I made will stay with me forever. Before I left, my sister told me there is nothing like the feeling of being in a foreign country and she's more than right. This is one of the opportunities you should take while you can but they not only don't come around every day but they become less and less possible the older you get. 3 weeks have come and go. Well, that's a wrap!!