To all of the families and friends awaiting our ten beloved chicos,
We’ve just bid the sleepy, smiling faces of our wacky and wonderful group ‘hasta luego’ at the Lima airport, where they’ve started their long journey home to you. As a few guys mentioned in previous posts, we conquered many a mountain on our Salkantay trek, which rewarded us with spectacular vistas, sore legs, and a final treat of a day spent exploring the mystical site of Machu Picchu. The hike was lovely, but we all looked forward to warm, comfy beds in Cusco and a few last days to complete souvenir and gift shopping, partake in more Peruvian fare (along with some hamburgers and McFlurries, if we are being honest), and enjoy some quality time together reminiscing about our semester. We were fortunate enough to steal each student for a last 2-on-1 chat, during which we shared appreciation for the uniqueness each of them brought to the group, and discussed any anxieties they might have about reverse culture shock and the future. We reconvened as a group for a closing ceremony full of gratitude, intention-setting for the upcoming months, and writing airplane letters for each other by candlelight. This ceremony was followed by our favorite pastime of eating delicious food together, this time in a fancier and more celebratory locale.
We feel incredibly fortunate to have spent the semester with this hilarious, intelligent, hard-working group of young men. They all put in an impressive effort to learn Spanish, engage with the local culture, and acquire travel savvy. They are looking forward to the holidays on home turf, and we are looking forward to following the future adventures and endeavors they will undoubtedly embark upon.
We’d like to thank the guys for coming, and their families for believing in the power of experiential education. We don’t mean to sound pompous, as it was the effort of the guys that made the trip, but we think you’ll find upon their arrival that it was worth it!
May all of you have a happy holiday season catching up with your globetrotters!
Much love and gratitude,
Lindsay and Topher