I have just completed my fifth week in Guatemala. I've spent the past week working at construction sites, photographing other people working even harder at construction sites, and editing my short films while drinking delicious smoothies or coffee around town. It is strange to think that I only have one more week left here in this beautiful place. My time here has been an incredible learning experience- both learning about Guatemala and myself. I could write a paper (which I'll probably have to do at some point anyway) about the cultural things I've learned, but I won't go into that now. On the personal side, I already knew that I loved traveling but now I'm realizing that I really enjoy doing so with the intent of observing, capturing, and/or helping with social change. That is what I hope to do in the future to some extent, whether in the form of a career or not. I do not want to just be a tourist, but a student of the culture I am entering. I also know that in the future, I need a companion. A human one preferably, although the countless dogs around here don't hurt. Unless they bite you and give you rabies...it happens! But while I am someone who enjoys alone time, I need to talk about the things that I'm experiencing. Seeing so many new things and just keeping them to myself makes question my observations and my personal bias and am not always sure what is the true reality.
Also, it is very odd to see American news stories while abroad. It is hard to stay up to date and part of the conversation. A lot has happened since I've been here. Caitlyn Jenner, the horrific church shooting in South Carolina, and of course, the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States, among other things. Again, I could go on about my opinions on these stories, but I brought this up to note how it is interesting to see firstly what stories people post on social media and secondly their responses to these stories. I lack a television so I really only know what Americans my age are talking about. So I didn't really hear much about any of the international terrorist attacks or even many of the things going on here in Guatemala. I only have a few people here to discuss these with in person, and our time to do so is often short. Therefore, I have felt kind of in limbo- in an in-between, partially still in American culture and only partially integrated into Guatemalan culture.
At least the weather is something we can always talk about here. It hasn't rained in a while, which is strange for the rainy season, but I'm not complaining. It has been awfully hot though, in the mid 80s every day. It wouldn't be so bad except shorts aren't super common here and I'm still a target for bugs so I end up wearing pants around town and then just sweating a ton. It's super attractive, trust me.
Ok, time to wrap up- I can see you all nodding off already. So although I have learned a lot and continue to meet some amazing people during my time here, I am ready to come home. I want to have the time to reflect more on my experiences from afar, to share my funny and random stories, and to eat Chipotle. Clearly I have my priorities in order. It appears that I will be continuing my work on the videos once I'm home so I'll still be doing things then. I'll be sure to share the link to it once it's online so don't worry! Time to go adventuring for the next week. Until next time!
Also, it is very odd to see American news stories while abroad. It is hard to stay up to date and part of the conversation. A lot has happened since I've been here. Caitlyn Jenner, the horrific church shooting in South Carolina, and of course, the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States, among other things. Again, I could go on about my opinions on these stories, but I brought this up to note how it is interesting to see firstly what stories people post on social media and secondly their responses to these stories. I lack a television so I really only know what Americans my age are talking about. So I didn't really hear much about any of the international terrorist attacks or even many of the things going on here in Guatemala. I only have a few people here to discuss these with in person, and our time to do so is often short. Therefore, I have felt kind of in limbo- in an in-between, partially still in American culture and only partially integrated into Guatemalan culture.
At least the weather is something we can always talk about here. It hasn't rained in a while, which is strange for the rainy season, but I'm not complaining. It has been awfully hot though, in the mid 80s every day. It wouldn't be so bad except shorts aren't super common here and I'm still a target for bugs so I end up wearing pants around town and then just sweating a ton. It's super attractive, trust me.
Ok, time to wrap up- I can see you all nodding off already. So although I have learned a lot and continue to meet some amazing people during my time here, I am ready to come home. I want to have the time to reflect more on my experiences from afar, to share my funny and random stories, and to eat Chipotle. Clearly I have my priorities in order. It appears that I will be continuing my work on the videos once I'm home so I'll still be doing things then. I'll be sure to share the link to it once it's online so don't worry! Time to go adventuring for the next week. Until next time!