The end.

The time has come. Time to pack our backpacks one last time, to make our way to one last airport, fill out one last immigration form, and close the chapter on this incredible journey.

To say it has changed me can hardly capture the essence of this experience. As I sit here, at one last internet cafe, I am flooded with memories from the past 3 1/2 months.

Bustling through the halls of Hospital Hipolito Unanue, bouncing between operating rooms. Comforting crying post-op babies. Listening to parents and families who saved up all year long to bring their kids to the hospital. Walking the winding streets of Cuzco. Accidentally crashing a funeral. The majestic Andes peaks. Making hostels home. Getting my bag stolen in Ecuador. Biking 26 miles through the Andes towards the Amazon. Being in an ecuadorian music video. Seeing Bridget and hanging out with the amazing Padròn family. Switchbacks. Sleeping in the airport (twice). The inspiring people we met in Guatemala. Weighing children in El Fortìn. Finding spirituality. Finding peace. Finding myself.

So what have I learned? I have learned that strength, humility, and hope are three virtues that can get you through most any tough times. I have learned that no matter where you are, if you have an open heart, you can make anywhere feel like home. I have learned that you can tell a lot about a country by how it treats it´s elderly, poor, women, children and marginalized. And I have learned never to underestimate the kindness of strangers.

I am so blessed to have been given this opportunity; a truely life changing experience. Now all that is left is to hop on that plane, hug my family, and start putting to practice all that gifts that this trip has bestowed upon me.