Adios Amigos!!

Name: Brittni Palkert Date: 6/22/09

Padre… Lo Siento the computer was occupied like all night yesterday but happy fathers day!! See you soon


Name: Kelsey Jacobson Date: 6-22-09

Hola everyone! Alrighty, so we have one day left, and I am for sure going to miss this place. BUT, I miss all of you at home so so so so much! Ok, so today everyone went to Antigua, but Maria, Natalie, and I stayed at the casa for multiple reasons. So we spent our day hanging out with the kids. We watched them play soccer and chatted up a storm with them. Maria and Natalie decided to design my “cast”. They did a sweet tye-dye design. Then, after the rest of the group returned from Antigua, we all headed to lunch. We spent the rest of the day just hanging out with the kids. So basically today was a very low key. Yup. That’s pretty much it.
I can’t wait to see you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Name: Erin Date: June 22

Reality check: We leave tomorrow morning. We’re all finally realizing, especially the pequenos, that in less than 24 hours we will be back in Los Estados Unidos – away from all of the new amigos. Melvin is in a depressing mood, which is totally not the Melvin I’ve grown to know over the past two weeks and Gustavo won’t stop giving all of us hugs whenever he can. I can’t even count the number of LAST futbol games I’ve agreed to play tonight. Before we left, I thought two weeks in a foreign country, with a limited Spanish vocabulary, inexperience with machetes, and with 24 (plus) other teenage girls would go by slowly. I am so glad that none of those things hindered my experience or interaction with NPH and the kids. I am definitely going to miss all of the mountains and volcanoes, the delicious food, the numerous basketball and futbol games, trips to Antigua, the daily rain and thunder storms, the simplicity of their lives, and the constant translating (I still HATE the flies!!) As cheesy and as cliché it may sound, I honestly wish there was a way to capture the moments I have had here (better than what a disposable camera could do) and be able to share them. I will see you back in good ol’ Minnesota! Mucho amor! (Sorry for the constant Spanglish)


Name: Kelsey Jacobson Date: June 22

Well all I can say is that these past two weeks have been incredible. I can’t believe that we leave tomorrow! Last night and early this morning, I was almost ready to go home, but after our last day today, I am not ready at all. Today, we were able to see the realizations on the kids’ faces that we are leaving tomorrow. The kids kept giving us hugs and whenever we tell them we’re leaving tomorrow, they get all quiet and sad. Even though I miss home a lot, I am going to miss NPH so much! I will miss the constant warm smiles that we receive from the kids every time they see us. I will miss the simple lifestyles that the Guatemalans live, the lively energy of the kids, and just the entire experience as a whole. I have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding of the Central American culture. The thing I will miss the most though is playing soccer with the pequenos. Not going to lie, it was the sweetest thing ever (even though I got hurt). Friends and family: I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, and I love you all!
P.S. Mom: Remember to tell Tannie about her friend Elmer

Name: Devon FitzGerald Date: 6-22

Post: Right now it is raining, but in about twenty minutes the group is going to head up for our farewell FIESTA!! There’s said to be some sort of treat, dancing and games…the Guatemalans sure know how to party! Unfortunately, we had to work in the fields again today – planting trees and hoeing, but luckily that was our last day of working in the fields, at least until next year! Tomorrow we leave NPH at 10:30 and arrive home a little after midnight, so I’m sure it will be a long, yet fun day. Don’t worry Pauline and Rick I still have a whopping twenty dollars I can spend tomorrow during our 3+ hour layover in Texas. Adios mis amigos.

This is the last entry! We hope you enjoyed it and we'll see you back in Minnesota, Estados Unidos.