And we're done...

So as you all can tell, we did not do the best job with writing in our blog and letting you know about all of our amazing and exciting adventures, but let me tell you, there were many. And we can't wait to see all of you and share with you about them. The last couple weeks were a turmoil with finals (yes, we actually did work) and saying goodbye to the amazing people we have met. And now we are each on to our own adventures.

Amanda's family from the US flew in yesterday and she will travel around with them and Andrew for the next couple of weeks. They will leave June 4 and she will spend a few more days in Quito before flying back to the states June 8 with a pit stop in San Francisco to visit one of our friends from our program before getting back to Seattle the night of June 9 where she will be this summer. So go visit her or call her and she can tell you all about our trip!

I am currently sitting in a small town called Alausi in Ecuador with my friend Gabriel waiting to go on a train trip. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do this summer (go back, stay here, volunteer, work?) but I have a plan. I am traveling around Ecuador for this next week until Saturday with Gabriel (started in Latacunga yesterday, today Alausi, hopefully to Cuenca tonight, the beach, Loja, and ending the week with meeting Amanda and her family in Cotopaxi). We do not have any specific plans and this trip has been pretty spontaneous, but it's working out wonderfully and Gabriel is great to travel with. When I get back Saturday my grandma and my sister fly in to Quito. We will spend a week in Quito and 3 days in Cuenca together and then they will go back to the US. When they leave, I will got with Andrew down to Loja to an organic farm for 2 weeks which looks like so beautiful and so fun. I can't wait. Andrew will go back to the US June 23, and the same day I fly from Guayaquil to Lima, Peru. From Lima, I am taking a 21 hours bus down to Cuzco where I will be volunteering for a month. I will be spending my mornings with 4 and 5 year olds at an ecological/garden school and living in an apartment with other volunteers at this project. I am super excited and a little bit nervous as I am going alone. But I am certain it will be wonderful. I return to the states July 27 and will be back in Portland by August 15. So that's what's in store. I will keep updates on this blog, although nothing is quite the same for me without Amanda...

Both of us have truly had a life-changing experience (which is what happens when you go abroad) and we have been so fortunate. We have met amazing people, seen beautiful places, laughed every day, eaten too much food, salsa danced until we couldn't move, barely did any homework, and really made the most out of every moment here. We cannot wait to come back and share our stories and adventures with all of you. We miss you. Hasta pronto!

-Jane