MY GOODBYE PARTY IN TARIJA

 On my last Wednesday in Tarija, my three host families helped me throw a big Goodbye Party. I invited almost every single person I had known on my exchange which rounded up to being just over 300 people. I made cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries and my friend Veronica's dad lent me speakers for a big sound system. It was held in my Rotary Clubs House and was a really wonderful experience. I am so thankful.

Pili and Cintia <3

Natakia (Nata) and Veronica (Vero) are two of the most beautiful and patient friends I made on exchange. We met when I changed to the History and Math Class in Grade 12, they are super sweet and I am so thankful to have them in my life <3

Big Cuddles

Big Cuddles

Brandon, Adri and I

Team Intercambio <3

Friends are the family you choose <3 SML

Maria Renee... There are no words to describe how thankful I am to have this talented and beautiful friend in my life. She guided me through my choir songs and always encouraged me. We might have a 2 year age difference but she is more mature than most 15 year old girls I know. Keep singing Maria Renee because one day you will make a huge difference in the singing world, touching every persons heart along the way.

My Pastor's Wife - Angie: Such a strong and beautiful christian woman, who really helped me grow in my walk with Christ and was a huge support and guidance in my leading the worship team. I will miss her, Pastor Jimmy, Natan and the whole Youth Lighthouse Church so much.

Luuuuuuuuu <3

Rene :)

Leonardo :)

Osorio

Sebastian, Tia Kristina and Adriana (Family Friends - Missing Tio Rodri)

Grosso :)

Fabian :)/

Camba (Juan Carlos)

Above: Merritt (Sebastian)

Below: Adrian (Sori)

 Antonieta - My best friend and go to.... A vibrant and intelligent young woman filled with God's joy and laughter. I miss her so much already. I will miss eating a tub of ice cream together or watching a  movie before she fell asleep... My rock and my smile I miss you already (Ya Te Extrano)

 Gabi <3

 Vale Cortez <3

 Claudio :)

Nico Merino: I will not be surprised if the young man to the left of me in this picture one day is seen traveling across Canada touring as a musician. Such a talented and wonderful young man who plays incredible guitar, drums, double bass, ukulele and sings. Nico and I shared many jam sessions while I was on exchange and he really is my best guy friend and my favorite guitarist to work with <3 Missing you already, but I'll catch you in Quebec Nico!

 Lore

Nata <3

These are just a few photos from one of the most memorable nights on my exchange and I am so thankful that at least 210 of the 300 people were able to make it out for a hug a cupcake and some tears/laughs <3 I miss you already my CHURA Tarija.

Here was the Chocolate covered strawberries and the flag cupcakes I made with Michelle for my See You Soon Party which was held the Wednesday before I headed home to Canada, a delicious but very tedious task.

 My last day of school at La Salle Particular Colegio, Tarija.

 Vale Gomez made me a beautiful art piece <3 Te extrano amiga mia 

 Flo and I

 Clari and I

 Nata and I

I am so thankful to have met and worked with Director Javier Carillo, he is such a fantastic and inspirational leader in our school and helped me in so many ways with Operacion Barrio Miraflores. On my last day I was handing out my thank you cards and he ushered me into his office for a brief moment. He told me that in all his years with La Salle they had had over 7 foreign exchange students, however onl two had truly stepped out of their comfort zones to make a difference. He said I was one of those students and told me that when I left, I would leave behind me a big hole in the hearts of many staff members and students. I will never forget Director Javier and hope one day to meet him again.

The three teachers you see above are my three favorite teachers from my year abroad, Profe Delfor of Social Studies and Civics, Profe Huanca of Literature and English (Spanish) and Profe Ilsen of Music and Choir. I am so thankful for their guidance and patience over the past 11months, for all the opportunities they gave me and all the goals they helped me achieve. Their teachings and smiles are forever imprinted on my heart. <3

 The last part of my exchange I spent a lot of time exploring the country side of Tarija, going on various hikes with some gym friends. The photo above and the two below are from Coimata a 45 min hike with a double waterfall view, simply stunning.

 Bringing a little Canada with me wherever I go.

Los Cachorros de Junina (The Jets of Junina) was a 2 hour hike along a sketchy old Inca Trail that was scary during but totally worth it at the end. The giant waterfall and crystal clear glacier cold tide pool made for a cooling and relaxing wade in and out.

My last lunch in the Avila-Terzo household in my second week in Tarija was one of my favorite meals - Tacos... My brother Ale and my dad Enrique made me a delicious lunch and it was a great memory of our beautiful family. I miss them so much!

Judith's last night and day in Bolivia :( 

 Judith was and always will be one of my closest and truest friends from my year abroad. Being the only Youth Exchange Students in my school in Tarija, we learnt and grew so much from one another and as individuals side by side. When one of us struggled the other one was the crying shoulder or the helping hand. Judith is from Nuremberg, Germany and is a hard working, selfless, energetic, funny, thoughtful, intelligent young woman who loves cooking, baking, writing, traveling and photography. She holds and always will hold a very special place in my heart. (The first two pictures are from her last night in the Plazuela (Main Square), a popular gathering place for us and our friends... Some tears and lots of laughter where shared as she explained to me just how much I needed to prepare for my turn which would be two weeks later.) Boy am I ever thankful she warned me, because even when I thought I was prepared leaving my Chura Tarija was the most difficult thing I ever had to do in my entire life.

 Salo, Claudio, Judith and I (Two of our best guy friends and just super awesome young men). 

 Majo and I took our last photo together as she had a modeling show in Santa Cruz and couldn't be at the airport for a last hug... For a while anyway.

 Sweet kisses from Alejandra (Ale) make me do silly faces :P

 Vale C and I - Another dear friend who had to snap a quick photo with me as she was heading out on a family vacation and couldn't be at the airport to see me off. <3 Te amooooooo Vale

This was the last photo the 'Three Moskateers' were able to take before Judith left. Brandon (Arkansas), Judith and I became a pretty close knit group as we only had each other to really speak about exchange problems and successes. I miss them so much!!! PS: ft Red Faces because we all were crying (except for Brandon)...