Monday, February 16, 2009
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Another Transition
I can’t believe I am leaving Guatemala in three short days. It seems like yesterday that I was frantically rearranging items in my suitcase hours before my flight here. And now I am packing up my little apartment and realizing what few possessions I actually need to live a happy life. Although part of me wishes I could take many things back (the markets, my amazing teachers and friends, the climate, $1.50 breakfasts, etc.) deep down I know these things are best left here.
This experience has been incredible. It has been equally challenging and rewarding. I have felt frustrated, scared and guilty. I have also felt deeply happy, fortunate and at peace. I have learned some Spanish, established some amazing relationships and developed a better understanding of the world in which we live. Above all, I have felt much of the strength, independence, and joy I have been searching for the past two years return. It has been worth every Quetzal for this alone.
I wish I had more time here; there are more volcanoes to climb, more meals to cook and a whole world of “subjunctive” to be learned. But I am hopeful that I will return again sometime in the near or distant future.
This experience has been incredible. It has been equally challenging and rewarding. I have felt frustrated, scared and guilty. I have also felt deeply happy, fortunate and at peace. I have learned some Spanish, established some amazing relationships and developed a better understanding of the world in which we live. Above all, I have felt much of the strength, independence, and joy I have been searching for the past two years return. It has been worth every Quetzal for this alone.
I wish I had more time here; there are more volcanoes to climb, more meals to cook and a whole world of “subjunctive” to be learned. But I am hopeful that I will return again sometime in the near or distant future.
I often wonder what will become of Guatemala (and the US) in the coming years. This country has endured much the past fifty years. One of the hardest parts about my experience has been learning the direct role the US government had in igniting the horrific 36 years of Civil War.
While traveling in Semuc Champey last week, Ethan and I noticed that we were not greeted especially warmly in this region of the country. Then we learned that this area was hit especially hard during the war. We met a very friendly young man in his twenties who told us about his experience during the war. His father was taken from their village without reason and held hostage for 40 days. In an attempt to save her husband and father of her children, his mother went to Coban to beg for his release. A few days later he has killed.
In order to protect her three children and 2-month-old baby, they fled to the United States. (I couldn’t help but notice the irony that the United States was both their safe haven and the root of their need to escape in the first place). He lived and worked in US for several years, applied for residency two times and was denied. Forced to return to Guatemala alone, he has not seen his family in over five years. Now he runs a travel agency, diligently working in hope of one day being able to gain U.S. citizenship and live by his mother and siblings again. And I return to the United States in a few days with the hope that our new government will make it easier for such individuals to realize those dreams that we once had a hand in destroying.
While traveling in Semuc Champey last week, Ethan and I noticed that we were not greeted especially warmly in this region of the country. Then we learned that this area was hit especially hard during the war. We met a very friendly young man in his twenties who told us about his experience during the war. His father was taken from their village without reason and held hostage for 40 days. In an attempt to save her husband and father of her children, his mother went to Coban to beg for his release. A few days later he has killed.
In order to protect her three children and 2-month-old baby, they fled to the United States. (I couldn’t help but notice the irony that the United States was both their safe haven and the root of their need to escape in the first place). He lived and worked in US for several years, applied for residency two times and was denied. Forced to return to Guatemala alone, he has not seen his family in over five years. Now he runs a travel agency, diligently working in hope of one day being able to gain U.S. citizenship and live by his mother and siblings again. And I return to the United States in a few days with the hope that our new government will make it easier for such individuals to realize those dreams that we once had a hand in destroying.
Mis Maestros
I had a some wonderful teachers during my time here. I have already mentioned Jose Carlos in my "Top Five from Xela". I also worked with Paty, a wonderful teacher at PLQ. Paty was the perfect balance of fun and strict. I always did my homework and my brain usually felt like it was going to explode after her classes, but I loved it. We told many stories and spent most of the five hours laughing. She and her sister (who reminded me so much of my aunt Patty) both taught at the school. They would joke with each other during class and gossip during break. I swear they were the Guatemalan Byrne sisters! It so fun and so comforting.
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