We all had a great time as a family and an extended family. We are so happy Julie was able to join us, not to mention many of the new friends that felt like family which we met and with whom we shared experiences along the way.
We all learned Spanish. I am thoroughly impressed by the ease and speed with which both of the kids learned. Tias had been diligently studying for some months before our trip and was in a strong second place behind Linda before our departure. Will
a and I had little prior study. At the end of the trip, Tias was negotiating prices for his souveniors in complete sentences that the vendors had no problem understanding. Willa balked at the formalized study of the Spanish courses as being a bit advanced for her age, with which we had to agree, so we backed her time off to an informal format for two hours a day. Well, later she started playing with kids her age, and her language ability left me in the dust. In fact, she was constantly correcting me and explaining to whom ever I was trying to converse with what I actually meant, also in full, complete sentences. I think a few times my jaw dropped open in observing both Tias and Willa's communication abilities. Not to mention Linda, who put over a year's worth of effort. 
a and I had little prior study. At the end of the trip, Tias was negotiating prices for his souveniors in complete sentences that the vendors had no problem understanding. Willa balked at the formalized study of the Spanish courses as being a bit advanced for her age, with which we had to agree, so we backed her time off to an informal format for two hours a day. Well, later she started playing with kids her age, and her language ability left me in the dust. In fact, she was constantly correcting me and explaining to whom ever I was trying to converse with what I actually meant, also in full, complete sentences. I think a few times my jaw dropped open in observing both Tias and Willa's communication abilities. Not to mention Linda, who put over a year's worth of effort. 
The kids learned more than we could have expected. On the surface, they have their home school projects that they will do at home. Far more important than those points though is the expansion of ideas of possibilities for themselves and the future world as a result of encounters such as these: glimpses of lives much more difficult than the ones we lead in WI; the people we met trying to make a difference in these difficult lives; seeing and hearing of the results of a relatively recent war; a ca
sual conversation with an engaging volunteer; well, this list could go on, but you get the idea.
sual conversation with an engaging volunteer; well, this list could go on, but you get the idea.Naw, this is not the end, only of the story of this segment of the journey. This trip touched each of us in many ways; fun, learning, experiencing new things together. Most profoundly is the inspiration and awe we experienced seeing those whom we met along the dusty roads we travelled, with their intentions of making whatever improvements they could in other people's lives, will be always with us.
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