Time here is different. The days are long and the weeks are fast. All the days blur into one. I think I’ve found this to be a challenge to process what I’m doing each day.
Last week, we visited current volunteers, Samira and Hailey, in Los Santos. When I think back on the trip, so much comes flooding to my head. We toured the local schools, planted trees, facilitated workshops, cleaned a beach, handmade small tembleques, and so much more.
Before this week, I was apprehensive of living with another host family and bracing myself for all the activities. Right as I met my host mom, Ilka, a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. Ilka is so caring, thoughtful, and genuine. We had great conversations around youth wellbeing, spirituality, and growth. She has traveled to a lot of different countries, even visited Pikes Peak in Colorado!
Teresa, another trainee in my cohort, shared a room with me. It was nice to be together and help each other with our Spanish. There’s so much I want to write about but not much is coming to my head right now.
Interacting with the kids reminds me why I’m here. I find myself to be more comfortable talking with kids than adults. I don’t feel as judged. Their energy, curiosity, and strength excite me.
Seeing the relationships that Hailey and Samira have formed over the past year is super inspiring. The communities embrace them and support their projects. I know it took a lot to get where they are now: lots of conversations, awkward silence, and patience. When I think about my service, I am envisioning the challenges I will encounter: the language, forming relationships, and letting go. A lot of this journey for me is to let go and relinquish control.
In the past, I’ve liked to have a plan. Up until now, I’ve had something to lean back on and catch myself whether that be school or swimming. Here, everything is different yet so much reminds me of how I want to live.
Since I’ve arrived here, I’ve been trying to put pieces together and make sense of everything. I’m slowly realizing that pieces may not need to be put together, that things may not make sense yet still be beautiful, and that human connections can occur in the most unexpected places.
After a long week of work, a small group of us went up to the mountains in Alto de Maria for one night. We got to relax, sleep, and cook our own meals. I loved laying in the hammock and going on a small hike.