Cuenca!

Back in Cuenca. This morning I ran, took my first hot shower in weeks, and then ate my delicious breakfast of fruit, cereal, yogurt, and coffee. I walked to school with Wick and then finished catching up on all my journals. Our group relocated to La Cigale because the internet at Amauta (my school) was not working. We spent the morning planning our final presentation and allocating tasks. At one point we needed to consult Maria Luz so we got to go see the office and talk to her about how we are going to spend our $400 dollars. Our team is able to choose how they would like to use $400 as we function as a virtual NGO. I am loving our thoughts as we hope to stretch every dollar and truly have a sustainable impact. I walked home for lunch and enjoyed great conversation with Mariana and the 60 year old man, Juan, who is living in the house. At both lunch and dinner today I served as the mediator and was able to translate for both people from English to Spanish and vice versa. It was an incredible feeling to have the confidence to do this. After lunch I went back to La Cigale for more preparation. I am so frustrated to be spending my last hours in Cuenca working on this presentation but I hope it will be very fruitful and useful. After working all afternoon, Elizabeth and I walked around the market and caught up on life. It is such a joy to around her and I am SO thankful that she has been on this program for me. Eventually I returned home for a quick dinner where I truly felt a part of the family. I am so comfortable in the house and with everyone here. Of course this happens right as I am about to leave. After eating I met a few friends at Café Ecalyptus and then we migrated to La Cigale for the evening. The group has an overwhelming feeling of readiness to return to the US. We will fight to finish strong but we are homeward bound.