Thursday, March 29, 2012

Surreal-EyeOpening-Work-Splendid-Lemons-Appreciate-Together-Different-Infinite.

            Over the past five days I have being telling stories, showing pictures, doing anything to try to answer the question, "how was your spring break?" but nothing can explain the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and growth I experienced while living in Guatemala. If you truly want to know how the trip was, sign up next year- there's no possible way you will regret a second. After hiking up the volcano the first day, hauling 20 lb sacks (or 44 lbs if you have abs like Josh) back down home, biking in place in order to pit the beans, drying, fermenting, and shedding, and sorting, and roasting, and then grinding the beans, my view of daily life has dramatically changed. Every person we met only spoke of what they were doing to progress, provide for their family, children, or grandchildren; even if they would never meet one another. The support system the community showed was incredible, and how much they appreciate what they have that's good in their lives. So often we complain that we need a new phone, clothes, TVs, ipods but this trip really opened my view to know there are people living under the same sky who work all day, to provide for others, and not once  complain or desire personal 'needs'. One man who we met really made me realize how important it is to care for others, it was about halfway through the trip while having dinner at a farmer's home. Afterwards he told us about his life, beginning with when Guatemala was in civil war brought on by none other than the U.S. (who also provided weapons). Living in times of the civil war he knew he must help the rebels for if they lose, the farmer would also lose his family and life. Once peace settled, the farmer began to be successful and working with As Green As It Gets and was able to provide more opportunities for his family such as a middle school. His unselfish, genuine care for the idea that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren will attend school, even though there is a very good chance he will never personally witness this, was astounding. The growth we as a group were able to bring to deserving lives was incredible, and I am so happy to have shared the experience with every person/puma who went. I want to thank you Mike for gathering us all together and Mother Hen for keeping up the chicklets b.p. Just enjoying an entire week with our own sense community we created was so relaxing and an escape from the busy 'Amurican' dream life. If this trip has convinced me anything is to go out and find out what's really going on in the world. Experience life, do what's important, and understand other's daily lives.
Now I will try to explain the experience in pictures, which are worth 1000 words but still don't cut it.
I love this photo, it really shows the beauty of the beans when harvested
What's significant here is the smiles on our faces, and this is how it always was even after 9 hours of exhausting hard labor with depleted oxygen and limited water. We're Guatemalan tough now.
You decided your future.
'And in that moment, I swear we were infinite'

-Dana McDaniel

No comments:

Post a Comment