2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
Buenos Dias! Today is the day we head back to the states. It is beautiful here this morning after a rainy night. Yesterday was a full day and we arrived back at the seminary late last night. We have met so many wonderful people here in Guatemala and it was sad to say our goodbyes yesterday at the Children’s hospital. One little boy found out that it was our last day there and wanted to sing for Linnea Jordan, a 2nd year PT student, who had been working with him this week. He was shy about it, so he hid behind a curtain. So precious! We were able to see a case study of a patient with Guillen-Barre and were able to give suggestions as well as learn the exercises and treatments they were applying. After many goodbyes to both the patients and the PTs, OTs, and nurses at the hospital we headed to Antigua. Antigua is a beautiful city in Guatemala with many shops and colorful buildings. We drove to a coffee plantation in Antigua.

We were all looking forward to this because the majority of the group had signed up to go on the canopy tour (zip-lining) through the coffee fields. We rode up the mountain of two large trunks, driving closely to the edge (I call it the “ride” before the “ride”). Ariel, one of our tour guides, was putting us at ease on the way up. He first told us that this was his first tour (he actually has been doing the tours for almost a year now) and that we would all be given helmets in case we fell. He was a riot. Once we got to the top, we were all fitted in the harnesses and helmets and off we went. It was amazing! They started us off ease at the height of 35 ft and we ended with the height of 219 ft! The view was gorgeous with three volcanoes in the background. After we were finished, everyone agree that it if given the chance we definitely do that again. We stopped at the coffee plantation store and bought some of their amazing coffee. Yum! The market in Antigua was so much fun. We shopped for gifts and souvenirs and I learned the technique of bartering. After zip-lining and speed shopping at the market, we headed to the Casa Santa Domingo, a beautiful hotel where we ate dinner. The food was amazing and there was a quartet that came around singing to us. Such a treat! After dinner, we then said our goodbyes to the translators and the lady who prepared all of our lunches for the entire week.

We are about to head to the airport, so I will wrap this up later. Adios!