Adios Antigua!

Que Pasa Carpe fans?!?! Tonight is our last night at the Earth Lodge. Orientation was quite the experience, we all established a strong camaraderie within these first few days. From moving group discussions to rolling on the ground laughing playing pterodactyl, (which was mostly me, Jared) we have all gone from strangers in an airport to a forming small family.

Antigua was a great segue into our Central American journey. I remember sitting in el parque central with Alex, when a little Guatemalan kid ran by. Alex was taking a picture with his splendid camera of a beautiful church.. when the boy leaped in front of his camera with a giant smile. It was adorable. But the kick to the story was the second after he snapped the picture and a lady walked by and demanded a dollar for the picture. We had to bargain:)

I was pretty happy when the bus came to pick us up into town the first day, and there wasn't room on the bus for me and a few others.. we got to ride in the back of a pickup truck. Yes mom, no seatbelts. But don't worry, mom.. there were bars on the sides to hang on to.

I washed my clothes by hand this morning at 8am. Now..now i miss my mom. Pushing the comfort zones!!!

Tomorrow is a 3 hour bus ride to our first homestay family. I'm sure most people are at least a little nervous. But its ok, because thanks to wonderful Alex and Jackie we all did skits practicing awkward situations. Not getting enough food? No problem. Family trying to marry you to their daughter? No problem..

Oh, almost forgot, my new friend Patrick says hello to all his family and friends reading. And that he misses and loves them all:) That guys a cool dude.

To all the families dying to know when the next time a blog will appear, or an email will arrive.. (DAD) we will most likely be able to have internet access around the 20th. However, EMERGENCY cell phone reception will be available. Not that there's going to be one though:)

We are all going to miss Antigua. Wonderful sunsets and rumbling volcanoes. But more adventures are waiting!

Talk to you all soon!

-Jared

ps.. Happy Valentines Day Em:)