By Maddie Wade
Beyond the intense work that OCHO volunteers perform during the medical brigade, they have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty that surrounds Atima. There is something unique about the mountains in the area, and hiking has proved to be another way to learn about the culture, the geography, and the agriculture of the region.
Read the reflection of the youngest member of our team, Maddie Wade, as she recalls her hiking experience.
“A group of us were to hike the tallest peak in Atima, including my dad and I. It was a tough, dangerous, and fun activity. We hiked up a little ways until we ran into some barbed wire. Our guide had to pull it up so we could wriggle under. We trekked up about a half mile, where I tripped and got a bad cut on my leg. It looked bad, but it, surprisingly, it didn’t hurt that much. I still have a mark from it, but it will probably go away soon.
The group struggled up a little ways before it started raining. It was a quick rain, but it made the rest of the trail in front of us extremely muddy: but that didn’t stop us! When we finally made it to the top, everyone was out of breath. A couple little Honduran boys said that no girls ever come up there and that made me kinda mad and proud at the same time. I was mad because girls are as tough as boys, and they can handle it too. I was proud because I did it!
Then when we started going back down, it began to pour. It was very slippery. The guide was in front of me and he had a giant sword to chop town plants, and he fell once, so that was scary. When we finally made it back to camp, everyone wanted to take a shower. Luckily I got there quick and didn’t have to wait in a line. It was an amazing experience. I will definitely be back next year.”