How is it possible that so much time has passed since we said “adios” to you all at the airport?! It doesn’t feel that long ago when we were splattered in blue paint and playing the basic phrases matching game with Guatemalan students. Gato y raton in the schoolyard, anyone?
You’re probably back in school or off on new adventures but we’re still thinking of you all and the incredible couple weeks we had together this past July. I’m sure the students at E.O.R.M Tierra Colorada Baja are still glad to be welcomed into their school day with the beautiful “Bienvenidos!” mural, and the mural that reminds them of important values and morals. I’m guessing a couple juice boxes have been spilled on the walls by now but I bet the fresh paint still makes the environment feel brighter and more inviting. Remember the little dance party and goodbye celebration they did for us? They were grateful for all the hard work you did.
I remember talking in some of our small groups about who was most impacted by our time here, and I was glad that you all recognized that you were the ones who benefited most from your service and your experience. How has your time in Guatemalabeen impacting your life back at home? Do you feel like you aren’t taking things for granted as much? How have your perspectives broadened or shifted? Do the stories you’ve been telling about Guatemala broaden other people’s perspectives instead of reinforcing the single stories they may believe? We learned a lot together and I hope you’ve been able to carry some of that back home with you.
Some favorite memories from this trip:
– Hearing Nayo tell his powerful story about his experience growing up in Guatemala
– Shifting our language from saying “that’s weird” to “that’s new”
– How amazing you all were at playing “Heart and Soul” on marimba and the double bass
– Playing the song from Free Willy while don Julio made pottery
– How much you all loved getting to choose your bus
– The birthday piñata
– Hot dogs— on our pizza… in our scrambled eggs… in our stir fry… 🙂
– The dogs who followed us everywhere because they knew someone would give them treats and flea treatment…
– The pickup truck that mooed the whole way up that windey road to the Laguna Chicabal trail head
We had so many good memories in our couple weeks together! Please know that you’re in our thoughts and we hope you’re doing well. Maybe we’ll see you on another GLA program or perhaps our paths will cross on some other adventure farther in the future!
Best wishes,
-Julia and the Guatemala Team
