Although this journey is over, there are strong feelings I don't want to forget.
I was free in Maclovio. I had so few material possessions to worry about, just my suitcase, my sleeping bag, a cup and bowl, and a week's worth of clothes.
I was useful there. My body got sore and tired with the hard work, but I really helped someone.
I was full of gratitude there. The people have so little and are so content and hopeful. I have had so much. Now in the end my heart fills up and I don't want to leave.

This trip is one of the most rewarding I've taken. I learned how to stucco, I worked at the clinic, interacted with the people of Maclovio, bonded with everyone, and still had time for myself.

             Working in the clinic was one of my favorite experiences and while I don't have a new passion to work in medicine, I have a new passion and understanding for work that serves people. The trust that the patients put in the doctors and me as a translator,  and the gratitude - for such simple things as vitamins - is tremendous.
            My other revelation came through (what was for me) hard physical labor. Mixing cement and hammering for hours is a different kind of difficult than I usually experience and it's fantastic. Being able to create things with only your work is amazingly rewarding.
             And finally the company. This is the exact group with which I would want to be on this trip. I went through the week with no pressures or mocking (except for those good naturedly between  friends) and learned from, and about everyone. It has been a trip that I won't forget and it has given me things that I will use for the rest of my life.