Hasta Luego Republica Dominicana!

Greetings from Santo Domingo!  We are safely back in the land of Wi-Fi and wanted to check in before we head for the airport and back to the States tomorrow.  After five very full and rich days "off the grid," it is in some ways difficult to know where to start in filling everyone in on what we've seen and experienced here.  

Last night, in our final daily reflection, Raphael, another one of our fabulous Rustic Pathways guides, asked us all to sum up our experience using only three words.  The most common words shared were: inspiring, memorable, life-changing, grateful, and pivotal.  As Mrs. Davies so eloquently pointed out, we have had the opportunity to visit three very different communities within this beautiful country and we have grown immensely through what we have seen.

It is admittedly very hard to be faced with the reality of injustice and poverty, yet this group fully embraced the emotions of this experience.  Ms. Boesch and I are extremely proud of how hard the students worked all week, never once complaining, and always seeking ways in which to connect with each community and each other.  As chaperones, we have seen the students become inspired to want to make a difference, no matter how big or small.  Thank you, Brendan, Till, Lexie, Charly, Ashleigh, Madeline, Mary, Lynn, Dori, Katie, Salma, and Helena for being so open to this experience, and for making this trip so memorable for us.

**I will post some pictures tomorrow morning before heading to the airport.