HOLA!

OH GEEZ! I am so sorry I have not posted anything lately, but we have been soo busy with mid-terms! It has been so challenging lately, physically, academically, and emotionally, but it is amazing and I know it is just going to help me grow.

THE GALAPAGOS!!!!
This was an unforgettable experience! The 14 of us, and two of the four teachers, were on a boat for seven days with a crew who cooked and cleaned for us...talk about the treatment! We had a library for a guide...his name was Diego and he was hilarious...but he wasn´t even aware of how funny he was. Every day we would land on an island and take a day hike, learning all about the species and plants of the island. We swam with sea lions and hammerhead sharks, we went on a mad dolphin chase one day when we were scuba diving, and we relaxed in the sun. But it wasn´t all relax. We still had classes on the boat, but not as much as regularly because this was kind of our spring break...and boy was it an amazing spring break! The days were long and tiring from the blazing sun, but so worth it! One day we were all hanging out on the deck doing some homework, and out of nowhere Diego yelled ¨Dolphins!¨ It was so cool!!! A pod of them flocked to the bow of out boat as we were motoring across the ocean, keeping up full speed with the ginormous, full speed moving vehicle. We hung off the bow for about 10 minutes watching them play and jump. I loved it! I am writing an article on the galapagos for travel journalism, one of my classes, for the evergreen high school newspaper, so hopefully you can hear more then...sorry my time is limited.

And now as of late...We returned from the Galapagos and reunited with Cara and Heather, the two teachers who didnt come with us. We spent the night in Guayaquil, and then travelled to a surf town in Peru called Mancora. It was soo much fun!!! We learned how to surf, resumed our intriguing classes, and hung out at the beach...I felt so at home! We then took a 24 hour bus ride to Huaraz after our week in Mancora, where we have been for the past week. Today we had a day hike in preparation for our Santa Cruz trek which we leave for on Sunday. I will be backpacking in the mountains for six days which I am a little nervous for, but can´t wait at the same time.

I am truly having a once in a lifetime experience here in South America with the 14 other amazing girls and 4 wonderful teachers. I love every minute of it, even when I come across the challenges...and trust me there are many. I know this trip is going to allow huge growth and will take a lot of processing when I get back so I am really taking the time to be fully present. I miss everyone, but I am so grateful for this time. Hope everyone is doing well.

Love, Phoebe

oh yea P.S. yesterday we had this amazing science class on trash and it is ridiculous how unaware we are...I had no clue about the pile of trash in the ocean that is twice the size of North America, ruining ecosystems. Here is the link to the article our science teacher Heather read us...please pass it on...more people need to be aware.
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/the-worlds-rubbish-dump-a-garbage-tip-that-stretches-from-hawaii-to-japan-778016.html

I know anyone can make a difference, so dont feel discouraged...