We will miss you, Antigua!
It’s the final day in Antigua, Guatemala, and we’re not ready to leave this beautiful place. The people of the community have been so gracious to us. This experience has been a greater gift to us and individuals and future healthcare professionals than we were to the patients we saw throughout the week.
Still not use to the beautiful spots hidden throughout the city.
Today was our day to relax, enjoy the city, and adventure a little. We ended up in two groups for the day, one zip lining and one going for a hike up a volcano. The volcano goers were up and out early this morning headed for the most National Geographic worthy scene around. The volcano towered at about 8,300 feet, but we only climbed a portion of it to get to the top…we weren’t crazy enough to endure the whole climb. From where we were dropped off, it took about an hour to hike to the top and a little more than an hour to hike down. We were then treated to a fulfilling lunch followed by hydrotherapy baths/soaking pools of the hot springs. Our other group of zip liners were able to sleep in a little in comparison to the volcano group, but spent the morning soaring through the skies of a local coffee plantation.
Team takes on volcano hike! [Taken from the top of the volcano]
Team takes on zip lining through the mountains. [Taken from top of zip line trails]
We spent our final dinner together at a nice local restaurant. As we sat for dinner it no longer felt like a modge-podge of strangers gathered for a meal at the same table, but rather a room full of friends eager to share picture’s from the day’s experience. This trip has brought people together in a way that is hard to describe, but this trip will forever hold a special part in each of our hearts.
Random fact: buildings in Antigua that are painted white signify that it is a historical landmark/building and cannot be alter in any way.
We will be headed back to the airport in Guatemala City tomorrow, so please keep us in your thoughts as we make our travels back in the States. Also say a little prayer we make it through customs with all of our fresh coffee… we have been so spoiled to wake up to coffee brewing every morning. What are we going to do without Pablo there to keep us caffeinated (especially since it’s back to studying next week)?!?!
Stay tuned as we share one final blog tomorrow, we have a little something special planned.
With love,
Kaitlyn Kerley — Pharmacy student.