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The Resurrection of Amalia Mendoza - Day 3

As everyone gathers one night at her restaurant, Amalia Mendoza tells the story of her trip to America to have her new face made. Although still blind, Mendoza hopes to re-open her restaurant again and return to a normal life in Colombia. Greg Kahn/Staff

Photo by GREG KAHN

As everyone gathers one night at her restaurant, Amalia Mendoza tells the story of her trip to America to have her new face made. Although still blind, Mendoza hopes to re-open her restaurant again and return to a normal life in Colombia. Greg Kahn/Staff

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  • Amalia Mendoza, center, talks with family and friends while she waits in the Miami International Airport to fly back home to Colombia after being away for months. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza steps off the airplane in Colombia with her son Antonio by her side. 'I feel normal and happy once more,' Mendoza said. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza is greeted by friends and family after arriving in Colombia. 'When I arrived home there was a crowd of people awaiting me,' Amalia Mendoza said. 'Everyone who knows me was there asking me what had happened. It was very emotional and surprising. They barely recognized me and that made me feel great.' Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza, right, laughs with her mother, Rosa Solano, after she saw Mendoza for the first time with her new prosthetic face. 'She is more talkative,' Solano said. 'It definitely did her good. She is more willing to greet people and have conversations.' Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza, lower left, hands out gifts to family she bought in America while in her resaurant in Valledupar, Colombia. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza is led around her now closed restaurant by friends as she spent her first day back home by seeing everyone she knew. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza sits in a empty room at her mother's home in Valledupar, Colombia. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Soldiers in the Colombian army touch the face of Amalia Mendoza after they noticed her walking through a plaza. 'I know they are fascinated and say my eyes look like they are following them around,' Mendoza said. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Amalia Mendoza touches her face as she lays down for bed at her daughter's home in Colombia. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • As everyone gathers one night at her restaurant, Amalia Mendoza tells the story of her trip to America to have her new face made. Although still blind, Mendoza hopes to re-open her restaurant again and return to a normal life in Colombia. Greg Kahn/Staff

The story of Amalia Mendoza who lost her face in a car accident in May 2001, and came to Naples, Fla. to have a prosthetic face made for her by David Trainer, one of the world's leading prosthetic makers.

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