JA2A 2024 Final Blog ✈️

Hey everybody, it’s Ethan and Xadani. Today we woke up tired and filled with a range of emotions knowing it would be our last full day. Breakfast was warm filled with delicious ham, omelets, fruit, and some toast. We organized a candy hunt after breakfast for all the glimpsers who ran around all over our property collecting Ethan’s candies. The rest of the morning was spent packing, writing our final evaluations, and preparing for our flight home. Lunch was delayed but ended up being delicious lasagna, lentils, salad, and, as always, rice (with a touch of bacon). After lunch, we all prepared for our final activity of the trip where we would be going to “I don’t know waterfall” (says Mayra). Many glimpsers jumped in while others relaxed in the sun. We took final photos with lots of our newly made friends and enjoyed some of our last memories in Jarabacoa together. Before going home though we made a quick stop at our favorite shop in Jarabacoa “La Melaza”, drank some delicious smoothies, came back, and dressed up in our fanciest fits for our final dinner. We were surprised by going to “Pizza and Pepperoni” a restaurant in the city. People (Ethan) were drawn to the television and vibrant atmosphere of finally eating out. Our leaders also got us a cake to celebrate Winta and Alessandra’s birthday, Pride Month, and the completion of our journey. We made it back home tired and expecting a 3-hour long nightly meeting but we had one final surprise from our leaders. Bonfire! We got to share our favorite moments from the journey and spend our last moments together before our long travel day ahead. Knowing this was the last blog we would love to share the ups, downs, chaos, and tears. But as leaders, we know that you, the family, are expecting your glimpsers to tell you their exciting two-week journey. Parents I warn you now that your child might be grumpy and disgruntled to see you after a long travel day, but deep down know that in their cold teenage hearts, they are just as happy to see you as you are. See you tomorrow!

Ethan-Hi family, can’t wait to see you tomorrow be ready for my texts on the plane!  (I’m craving some Chinese, Japanese, or Korean food)

Xadani- torta sin jalapeños. Love you guys and can’t wait to see you guys soon.