I know some of you have been waiting for this and have probably given up on me, but finally, I post the last blog of the most amazing year of my life.
Initially, I was afraid of what my reaction might be upon my return to the US and all of the life changes that go with that. I felt that I had learned a lot about myself, priorities and life in general while in Honduras. I felt different and it seemed impossible to go back to the life that I was living before.
With that said, I have returned to the exact life that I had before (same job, same apartment, same friends, etc)and I feel as though I never left. This has made the transition very easy, but has also been very disappointing. If I learned so much and gave so much of myself, why don't I feel different?
There have been moments when I realize that the way that we live is very extravagant and our priorities are sometimes very skewed. For example, I returned in the midst of the NCAA basketball tournament and everyone was so excited that life pretty much revolved around those games. At moments, I realized and looked down on this tradition, but after time, came to think that this is what makes living here so great. We have the luxury of foregoing the necessities of living to concentrate (and spend our money) on sports.
As I move around the city (walking, running, biking, car, bus, train), I am amazed at its cleanliness (in the relative sense), beauty and convenience. Every time I am out and about, I think that I would love to show just one of my girls from Honduras what it is like to live here. We are so lucky.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Despedida
Well, one more week here in Honduras and I am having very mixed feelings about leaving. I am very excited to get back and see my family, but will be very sad to leave the ranch and all of the people I have known during this year. It has been a great year that I will never forget. There are so many things that will forever remind me of Honduras. Here are some short lists of the various sensations that I associate with Honduras.
Sights: mountains, farm animals in the street, cement walls with chipping pastel colored paint, small junk food shacks, vendor ladies in ruffled pocketed aprons, hillside farming, laundry on the line
Sounds: the chug of an old school bus, the rambling Spanish language, blaring ranchero music, vendors yelling out the names of their goods as if it were all one word, children playing, rain on the banana tree leaves, flowing stream water
Smells: fried chicken, fresh rosquillas, camp fire, maracuya (passion fruit)
Taste: sweet melting lychee fruit, salty cheese, the taste of camp fire
I have learned so much from the people of Honduras and the kids here on the ranch. My hope is that I will be able to carry these lessons back to the states and find a way to integrate them into my life there. Here is a short list of some of the things that I have learned.
1. Respect and tolerate other cultures as they are. Just because you don't understand their customs doesn't mean that they are wrong.
2. Point A and B aren't always the most important. What's on the way from A to B can be just as important, so always be aware of the in between.
3. Slow down and enjoy your surroundings whenever you can. Don't rush unless you have to.
4. You can learn a lot from a bus window.
Well, the next time I post anything I will be back in the states and going through culture shock in reverse. I am hoping that it doesn't hit me too hard.
Sights: mountains, farm animals in the street, cement walls with chipping pastel colored paint, small junk food shacks, vendor ladies in ruffled pocketed aprons, hillside farming, laundry on the line
Sounds: the chug of an old school bus, the rambling Spanish language, blaring ranchero music, vendors yelling out the names of their goods as if it were all one word, children playing, rain on the banana tree leaves, flowing stream water
Smells: fried chicken, fresh rosquillas, camp fire, maracuya (passion fruit)
Taste: sweet melting lychee fruit, salty cheese, the taste of camp fire
I have learned so much from the people of Honduras and the kids here on the ranch. My hope is that I will be able to carry these lessons back to the states and find a way to integrate them into my life there. Here is a short list of some of the things that I have learned.
1. Respect and tolerate other cultures as they are. Just because you don't understand their customs doesn't mean that they are wrong.
2. Point A and B aren't always the most important. What's on the way from A to B can be just as important, so always be aware of the in between.
3. Slow down and enjoy your surroundings whenever you can. Don't rush unless you have to.
4. You can learn a lot from a bus window.
Well, the next time I post anything I will be back in the states and going through culture shock in reverse. I am hoping that it doesn't hit me too hard.
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