The running of the TORCHA

The volunteers who made the trek--Sam, Danny, Hannah,
me, Kristina and Veronika.

On Tuesday I participated on one of Guatemala's many independence day activities--the running of the torch. Schools, towns and cities come together to bring the flame of freedom/independence back to their home/school. NPH was no exception and the kids headed off early in the morning to go light the torches that would then be run (many miles) back to NPH. The torch was lit in the town of Zaragoza, which is about 45 minutes (driving) away from NPH. Around 2:30 the rest of the kids and the volunteers who wanted to participate set off to meet up with the crew who had already begun running. We met up with the other kids and all piled out of the bus, in the pouring rain, and began the run back to NPH.

The buses drove next to us so anyone could get on and off as they liked and did not have to run the whole way. I am guessing the whole run was close to twenty miles. We wound through the streets of Chimaltenango all the way to Parramos. I ran hand in hand with many of my girls and took shifts running with different groups. As exhausted as I was the energy was high and the kids were all so excited about the run that we continued. The buses drove along with kids and teachers hanging out the windows cheering all the runners on. 

When we arrived in Parramos everyone got off the buses and we ran together up the hill and brought the torches of independence back to NPH. When we arrived at NPH fireworks went off and we all came together to light the main torch on the cancha. It was an extremely fun and exhausting afternoon--but I am so glad to have been apart of it. The only downfall is I now can't move my legs because they are so sore. 

Returning to NPH as the fireworks got off--still pouring rain.

The torch of independence being lit by two students.