Has the past year been a dream? As I now sit comfortably at home in Ohio, my experience in South America seems surreal.
Memories flash before my mind, eliciting a smile or a tear and confirming that this was a real experience, a year in Colombia.
I recall the fresh fruits, happy giggles, blazing sun, broken Spanish, bumpy bus rides, and the list goes on...
Ask me to share about my time teaching and traveling on the Caribbean coast. Some stories are heartwarming, while others are scary. Even still, more are funny, adventurous, and joyous. Some stories are almost unbelievable without understanding of the cultural context, but I will do my best to accurately convey the reality of this wildly beautiful experience.
Now, all I can express is gratitude. "Muchas gracias" to strangers, students, fellow volunteers, family, and friends who supported me on this journey if only for a moment. Because of you, my year in Colombia was a priceless opportunity.
Here's to the next adventure.
