Since I am now back in the States, I guess that means this is the last post in this edition of my blog. It's strange adjusting back to life in NYC... I've traded cobblestone streets and chicken buses for paved sidewalks and the subway, and I can speak to strangers in English (although I may or may have not said gracais to the English-speaking US customs officer at the airport just out of habit).

I've been trying to sum up this blog post with reasons why this trip was so great or all the things I learned, but there's just too much to type. Just take my word for it that you should volunteer abroad at least once in your lifetime. So instead, I will leave you with some photos that did not make it into my blog before.

(Below & Left) This is probably the signature photo of Antigua... I walked by it almost everyday while I was there. This is called the Santa Catalina Arch and was built to let the nuns cross the street below without actually going outside.  

(Below & Right) Antigua used to be the capital of Guatemala until an earthquake devastated the city in 1773. The governing body decided to move the capital a 45-minute car drive away to Guatemala City which also allowed for expansion. You will see ruins like these all over the city. Between the ruins and the mountains, it reminds me a lot of Greece.

 










 



 
Guatemala is known for its excellent coffee and tasty chocolate. Instead of getting one or the other, I got this mocha, a combination of coffee and chocolate. Starbucks has nothing on this drink from Cafe Condesa, a cafe on the west side of Central Park.

 

In the middle of playing at the ball field, the kids wanted to have a photo shoot. After taking about 20 pictures of these three, this is the photo that could be published in a kids' clothing magazine.

 
This is one of my favorite pictures I took on the volcano hike... our guide decided to take a break while most of our group was taking photos of the sunset. It looked especially cool from on top of the volcano because you are over 8000 feet above sea level... meaning you are way closer to the sun!

Thanks to my loyal readers for following along, and I hope you enjoyed this blog. If this has inspired you to volunteer abroad or do any traveling, I'd love to know. And if you have any questions about my trip, feel free to ask (k.fedeson at gmail dot com). Until next time!

 

mi aventura en Guatemala, 2012