As I run water over my toothbrush in my bathroom upstairs I remember what is like to have to use bottled water. When I sit on my front porch I can look around and there are no wall or barriers. I can go to sleep without listening to dogs bark and guard their homes for hours. I walk down the street and I'm still in shock that I have the right away. There are no starving dogs begging for food in my town. And the most difficult thing to adjust to is the lack of children working in the streets in an attempt to feed themselves that day. I am very aware that all of these things still happen in our country, but the fact that they aren't evident everyday or everywhere shows how amazing our country is.
I only wish that everyone could look at our country through the eyes of those children working instead of going to school. girls would clean windshields or sell gum. Boys would sell flowers or juggle in between cars in an attempt for what to us would be barely a penny. If I had to choose the most important thing that I've come away with after this trip I would choose this overpowering feeling of how blessed I am to have who and what I have.
I'm really enjoying reading your blog posts and have found your thoughts about your journey very interesting. The contrast of coming back from a third world country like Guatemala to the relative comfort of your life must really be jarring. Obviously we have poverty and issues in our country but they seem to be much more visible and rampant in Guatemala. I am wondering what are your thoughts on how Guatemala can make positive changes and better its economy. Also, what do you think are the root causes of the problems in Guatemala? Your trip sounds like a fantastic opportunity, and thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
ReplyDelete