What a week. Words can't come close to describing it. But it's been almost a month and I need to get something up. So I'll let Chuck’s photos do the talking. Enjoy!
Chris and me in the back of Orlando's pickup, bombing through the mountains of Guatemala at 80 mph.
Orlando with his new baby, back in El Sal.
A few rockstar volunteers in training who were visiting my community for their immersion weekend. They're gonna be great PCVs.
Chuck's special delivery. Here I am opening up a box of keyboards and mice donated by Dana's (Chuck's fiancée) high school in Hingham, Mass. Incredible!
A tour of the community with my boy Carlos. Unfortunately, Chuck was the camera man for the week and there aren't that many shots of him.
My vote for the shortest woman in El Salvador. I've already contacted the folks at Guinness World Records. She's super sweet.
Playing the touch the cow game, which apparently I suck at.
After a day of hiking around my community, swimming in the river and meeting families on three hours sleep, we were a little tuckered out.
But we soldiered on... and headed to the beach. This country's small, but has a lot to offer.
Jimbo and his buddy Dave, who I couldn't help but call the human tennis ball for the week. Such a cool guy.
Um...
After the beach, we headed up to Juayua, where cool temps and strong coffee attract travelers from all over.
Los Chorros de la Calera
Chris in the famous tunnel, a 100 meter passage cutting through the side of a mountain where, for a five meter stretch, the ceiling dips and you're forced to dive under and swim through the tunnel dragging your hand on the ceiling until you feel air and reach a small cavern. If you're brave enough to attempt it, you're rewarded with an incredible swim out through a waterfall on the other side of the mountain.
Campo dance party!
Goodbye dinner with the fam.
The girls were obsessed with rabbit ears and back massages.
So we returned the favor. Sidenote: Chris and Chuck were rockstars down here. Eating everything, trying their best at Spanish (no tengo pene! - priceless), respecting the culture, embracing my salvo and PCV friends. Love you guys!
After trying a different route and quickly getting lost in the Guatemala mountains turning a four hour trip into a seven hour epic adventure, we arrived at Guat City's international airport.
The definition of a successful vacation.
I guess I'll just say that the trip was a powerful experience for everyone.
For my buddies, it was an exotic, crazy trek through one of the murder capitals of the world. (Still amazed they actually came.) For me, it really drove home the point that Gabe at 29 is a very different person than Gabe at 24. Maybe even than Gabe at 28.
It would be an understatement to say I view the world through a different lens, but having just passed my one year anniversary, it couldn't be more true.
Looking forward to showing the next group all the amazing things this country has to offer.
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