Today on my long walk into the city, I suddenly became very aware of my surroundings. There was so much going on but I found myself able to focus on each one of my senses. The sight of the on-going rocky road with the green mountains looming tall, outlining both sides. The feeling of gravel (and regret) in my shoes, as I had chosen to wear sandals that morning. The herbal smell of a variety of plants being harvested on the farms both on the flat areas and carved into the sides of the mountains nearby. The taste of bug spray still in my mouth from earlier attempts to keep the bugs at bay. The occasional itch on my leg from the remaining bites that have yet to go away. The low rumbling of a Tuc-Tuc approaching from behind me and the smell of diesel exhaust as it passes. Seeing cute stray dogs asleep on the side of the road, flies buzzing around their heads. The feeling of the warm air, with a cool breeze coming up from the lake. I see a woman in her traditional Mayan outfit, clutching the hand of her young daughter as they stroll along. Walking towards Guatemalans is just fine. Walking behind them, on the other hand, is a painful experience for those like me who walk quickly. I envy their slow pace, which is not at all due to laziness, as is my perception of many of the people on campus, but rather due to their relaxed, living-in-the-moment mindset. I see men walk by, in jeans and a t-shirt, who politely say "Hola Adios" in one breath as we pass. I hear the powerful pounding of a waterfall to my left and can see the water cascading over the top of a cliff. I hear distant unidentifiable birds and voices quickly speaking Spanish words I cannot make out. As I get closer to the city, I hear upbeat Latin music and more mechanical noises of trucks. I can begin to see the peaks of the nearly twin volcanoes over the lake. I hear the fast patting of hands, forming round tortillas to sell for the day. I smell the corn used to make them. I see a bicyclist riding toward me and feel the warmth of his laughing smile as we unintentionally play chicken on the side of the road. I get to my destination, the Panajachel Center, where I will spend the afternoon on the second floor restaurant, with sparkling lemonade, delicious coconut crusted avocado fries, and free Wi-Fi. I overlook the main street of Santander (Saun-taun-dare) and can feel the breeze through the open window in front of me as I continue to edit my video. It is a good day.
Elise
This is my blog about my 2015 summer internship in Guatemala. Archives
November 2015
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