The following post features student writing.

The day started early for a select few, who decided to go on a six-mile nature walk at 4:15 AM to take pictures and get some extra exercise. After they returned and the group had breakfast, some split up to work on independent projects, either to immerse themselves in an aspect of the culture or benefit the community in a different way through personal initiative. Two group members left early to experience life on a dairy farm, where they milked cows, made cheese, and asked the farm owners about living there. They also feasted on some fresh dairy products during their stay. Two other members made a cake with the help of a local chef who showed them how the locals bake. Three more prepared a fire song commemorating our stay in Cabana. We worked on a scoreboard for the local soccer field with replaceable metal numbers and hinged legs to help it stand upright. All of us here are preparing notes about these projects to present at the goodbye party tomorrow. Each group will stand up and tell the community a little bit about what they did, why they chose to do it, and what they learned.  

Otherwise, people continued to work on the church. We all worked together to fulfill various jobs, such as touching up spotty paint jobs on the columns or rolling paint onto the highest areas. The sidewalk was also completed, from the road to the church.   

After work, many of us went to relax in the river, which is bright blue from volcano minerals. There we played chicken fight (where one person gets on the others shoulders and tries to push the others off) — very fun. Next was dinner, delicious stir fry cooked by our beloved chef Elda. Jr and Fedora then held a “fun session” where we played group games like Assassin, Splat, Gotcha, and Mafia.

Hasta luego,

Jake & Riley