Written by: 1/C Sean Davis
Today was the last day before the 12-person team of Buccaneers started work and Spanish lessons. I began my morning at 0700, heading to the roof of the hostel to sip coffee and chat with my good buddy Nate, affectionately known as “Chief” or “Jefe” in Spanish. We talked for about an hour before I went downstairs to get dressed for the day. We headed to breakfast at Violetta’s, where we munched on cornflake cereal with strawberries and papaya. It was delicious as the fruit’s natural sugars soaked into the milk and cereal.
The plan for the day was to hike and swim at a mountain called El Pilar. Before we began, we learned that the pool at the base of the mountain is filled with cold, refreshing water directly from the mountain which is the perfect reward after a challenging hike. Personally, I was excited for the hike, knowing there would be stunning views along the way. The trail proved extreme for some, with a steep incline and sections of stairs that were precariously held together. Despite the challenges, it was all part of the adventure. Eventually, we reached a point where the trail merged into a road that led further up the mountain. At this juncture, the students elected to continue further up the climb beyond the planned turnaround point while the professors opted to head down.
As we continued up the road, some team members decided to stop for lunch at a spot where the road transitioned back to narrow, rugged trails. After eating, we collectively agreed to head back down the mountain. This decision not only allowed us to jump into the refreshing pool but also gave us more time in the afternoon to explore Antigua. The hike down was much quicker, and the moment we reached the pool, we savored the taste of victory by diving into the cold, invigorating water. It was a rewarding and relaxing experience, capping off a day of adventure at El Pilar.
We returned to the hostel and had a few hours to unwind or explore the town before our final “family” dinner, hosted by CAPT Lennon and Professor Cadwalader. During the downtime, I tried to teach some team members how to play Rummy, a card game I grew up playing. Before we knew it, it was 1800, and it was time to walk to our professors’ house for dinner.
We arrived and got to see the Professors’ house, which is a typical Antigua villa with beautiful architecture and layout that takes advantage of the temperate climate by combining indoor and outdoor space. Before dinner, we played pool and watched football. Dinner consisted of pasta, bread, watermelon, and Guatemalan galletas for dessert. Needless to say, it was a fantastic day, and I’m excited to get to work tomorrow!
Written by: 1/C Sean Davis
