Volcano Fuego Erupts

Volcano Fuego is located just a few kilometers outside of Antigua, Guatemala and has been consistently erupting for the past few years. It's neighbored by volcanoes Acatenango and Agua both of which are dormant. What makes Fuego truly unique is that a land bridge connects Fuego and Acatenango allowing visitors to get within 500 meters of the erupting volcano. Don't stay too long or get too close, people have been known to lose their lives.
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet” -Aristotle
While everyone in my group was nice and warm in their sleeping bags and tents getting some well deserved rest after a grueling 9 hour hike, I sat outside in the cold for 3 hours waiting patiently for Volcán de Fuego to erupt. Although she erupts every 15 to 20 minutes, a major eruption only happens every few hours. My toes were numb and I was falling asleep, but I refused to go in my tent without catching a big one. When it finally happened, I heard an explosion so loud it sounded like a sonic boom, I gasped out of fear and immediately started taking pictures. The entire time I couldn’t stop laughing: the eruption evoked a happiness in me that was much needed. Also I was so proud of myself for waiting patiently for this shot. It was worth the hike and freezing in the cold, don’t you think?