Nothing truly prepares you for the end of a journey. Several noteworthy events materialize along the way: friends are won, learning moments are shared, tears are shed. And somehow, the all encompassing feeling of those experiences can be felt in a single step, the step of a voyage complete. But not all is lost. We take with us the memory of the times we had, all those individual discoveries as well as shared stories, hilarious, frightening, exhilarating all. We take back with us too the bonds we made with those extraordinary individuals by our side, those we could not fathom the beauty they held inside just a week prior. This is a unique journey to be sure, one that if one is lucky will have at least once in their lifetime. Men and women, young, curious, full of life and a drive, transverse as individuals across a sea to a place unknown, and come back with a deeper and shared understanding of the wonderful world they inhibit. Santiago is a city whose people, streets, buildings, cooking, dogs, and everything else in between I will never forget for the rest of my life. The spirit of those friends who saw all of those glorious features by my side will always be with me. At the end of it all, as I step into a new phase of my life, all I can say is, it has truly been a beautiful ride.
Frank and I on top of the world
One of my favorite sketches of the trip
Veggie squad at our favorite restaurant
My Santiago crew