#cafayete

A strong, hot wind known as Los Colorados was blowing when the photographer took this photograph in Cafayete, Argentina

Photographer: Gonzalo Javier Santile

As I sit here on a 2 hour plane ride, back to where it all began, I think about the breaking ground for new friendships, new perspectives and a new life. The memories we made and the places we left behind. On that very first day in the airport we all in someway connected. We all met around 4pm and by 6am the next day we were a group that seemed as though they knew each other for years. We all felt excited to see new things and meet our new host families. The first two days was group orientation in Buenos Aires. It was more than just group orientation, it was laughing, crying, playing, and bonding. 

By the third day none of us wanted to separate and be alone with this new family for two days in a strange city with out having any way to get away. The home stay for everyone was nerve wrecking, exciting, amazing, and overall one of the best experience of our lives. One the last day of the homestay no one wanted leave. We had all just adjusted to the new lives we had. Now we had to change all of that again? We had done amazing community services in our city. We had met some of the friends and family that were now our friend and our family. The strange city of Salta was now our city, our home, and was no longer strange. By the last day it had felt like we knew our sisters and brothers since we were born. It felt like our parents were raising us like their own. We were excited for our new adventure in Chicoana but definitely dreading the goodbyes.   

One our first day in Chicoana everyone was a little down. We were all still in the mindset that we would see our brothers and sisters in just a few hours. That we would be going home to them. First thing we visited the school and immediately everyone was working hard to fix up the school despite the sorrow. The school needed to be painted and cleaned. We painted the hallways of the school and it was amazing how much brighter the school seemed. We also put a stone walkway in front of the school. While at the school I had a very special project. I planted a garden in honor of the Megan Hughes Foundation. I was able to create my own addition on to the schools amazing garden. On our last day in Chiconna we were able to meet the students. They were all so grateful and welcoming. They were at first shy but it did not take long for them to warm up to us. By the end of the day they were sad to see us go and the whole school gave us a huge thank you. Our next adventure would be the horseback riding. 

The horseback riding was an amazing part of the trip and for me a huge lesson. On our first ride of the day I discovered that I was highly allergic to horses and would be unable to continue with the rest of the group. Although it was not what I wanted to do I was able to see some amazing students at English Land which is a local English institute in Chicoana. The students were so happy to be able to talk to a "native" English speaker. I had an amazing time teaching them a little bit about my life. After a long three days, I was reunited with the group. I was able to here about all the funny and not so funny moments that happened. Next we headed to Cafayate. 

While in Cafayate we went on a bike riding excursion to some nearby sand dunes. The ride was so much fun. For some of the group it was tough, but it was great to see everyone trying there hardest to push through it. While on the ride we passed many vineyards. Cafayate is known for its wine and beautiful vineyards. When we arrived at the sand dunes everyone began to play in the sand and take photos. We had a great time in the Salta. Our guide Sergio was amazing and we all were sad to have to leave him. Our last day in Salta was spent revisiting our favorite places and our host families. 

We arrived and Buenos Aires and had a team meeting. Our team meeting was an activity where we used yarn to create a web that connected all of us. We all said something we would be taking backing to the states with us. At the end we cut the web and we each took a piece and made a bracelet out of it. We would now be bringing a piece of everyone back with us. We will all be leaving a piece of ourselves here, Whether that piece is big or small.