As I sat on the plane ride back home, it began hitting me that the trip was over, and with that, so is this blog. Of course if people would like to continue adding content, please do. I would especially like to read what you all have to say once you get home and have had some time to ‘digest’. A warm thanks to everybody who blogged, even when tired, hungry or just not in the mood. I think that without realizing it, you have made an impression on more people than you ever imagined. Already I have received comments from parents, administrators, and even other students who want to join us next year.

Since everybody left at a different time, we didn’t really have a chance to all say our goodbyes. If I missed any of you, it was only because I was running out of time to make it to the airport. Thank you so much to all the students that came with me. Each one of you has taught me something new.
un abrazo,
annie
  ¶ 2:17 PM

  Well, I guess by now everyone knows that we made it to Santiago ... all 16 of us and all walking. We have been here for a few days now, but I don´t think the journey we have just completed will really sink in until we are back in the States and reflecting on our time here.

The city of Santiago is truly amazing ... unlike any city I have seen before. It has a real mix of styles from old and historic to new and modern. The University setting is beautiful. There are lots of trees around campus and it seems almost removed from the downtown hustle and bustle that is going on only a few streets over. The area around the Cathedral has lots of stone streets with little shops and cafes ... an easy place to get lost in. The main parks are another place to wander around for many hours at a time or to just sit and rest. People here seem to really value the large parks and, as a result, they are very well maintained. Large fountains, benches, and many winding walkways can be found in any of the parks both here and in a majority of the other towns we visited along the way.

The next couple of days are the final days of our field site experience. I think everyone is anxious to go their separate ways since we have been together for so long; however, I know it will feel awkward the few days after when we are no longer together as a group. I think each of us has learned a lot about other cultures from this experience, but more importantly we have learned a lot about ourselves.

A special thanks goes out to GIEU for allowing each of us to take part in this amazing program. Afterall, like Andy has said many times along the way, Is there really any other way you would want to be spending your summer vacation?

Jessica  ¶ 3:31 AM

  Well, we made it to Santiago all in one piece and have been wandering around the town for the last couple of days. I´m sad to see that the program is almost drawing to a close and that I will have to leave España. I have had some great experiences and gotten to know some really nice people. Deborah has already mentioned it, but a few nights ago, we were listening to a group of students from the law school sing on the streets. It was the same group that had been in one of Annie´s videos last year and I recognized a few of them. Annie told one of the guys that I wanted to hear a song, even though I hadn´t said that. After a few songs, one of the members came and got me out of the crowd to come and stand in with them so that they could sing me a song. They put one of their capes around me and I had to stand there while they sang to me. I didn´t know what to do, but apparently it was all right and now I have a great story to remember.

See everybody soon,
Erin


  ¶ 1:00 AM

  Hey Des-You mean to tell me you had to go all the way to Espana to eat sushi?--We love you and miss you and will see you next week-Can you believe it?-Come home safe and you know the rest-wen  ¶ 6:37 PM