Blogs :: Leaving Central America
For me Central America has come with its ups and downs lefts and rights and just about any other direction that one can think of. A part of me is happy that I am leaving C.A. and another part of me is already missing it. I feel like after four plus months I should have some great insight for you but I really don't think I do. So as I walk across the border I have thought of a list of observations, experiences, or random musings that you prolly don't want to ponder but have crossed my mind more than once. So without further ado....
- It has been weird being gone for this long and not really knowing anybody. I have been out of the states longer but always with a certain group of people that you spend every day with. I ended up hating most of these people or just knowing them in passing. Traveling for me has one downfall (or it could be an upside depending on my mood). You never really get to know anybody. Everybody you meet turns into a disposible friend that you use as entertainment until you part ways. It may be one hour it may be two weeks but you know that the chances of you seeing them again are slim. Don't get me wrong I have met wonderful people that I know I will see again and know for a very long time but these are few and far between. Of the hundreds that I have met I can count these people on two hands max. I have however started a fairly decent facebook friend collection. Maybe that can define my personal happiness.
- Outside of my family and friends I can truly say that the only things I really miss are Mac & Cheese, Sushi, Grilled Cheese, & Tomato Soup. I know people should miss things like hot showers, sorority chicks, and all the other conveniences that living in the states brings... Yeah I miss food.
- Jaywalking is an art that must be mastered in Latin America. The unfortunate part is that the learning phase can easily have deadly consequences. It is, however, a necessity.
- Service in C.A. is def not what I would call "top notch". In fact one learns very quickly that holding your hand up and whistling is not an unacceptable way of getting the server's attention. In fact it is expected. I am strangly ok with this. I will trade the service for the slower paced lifestyle. That and it completely opens up my dinner hours (notice the plural) for my second favorite hobby. People watching.
- At first being in a foreign country bothered me. I like being out of my conmfort zone but it was difficult for a part of me to get used to the crowds and complete lack of control of my surroundings. After four months I am still a little nervous without cause but I have for the most part gotten over it. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Most of me loves every step further out of my comfort zone but a small part of me worries where it leads.
- I think that if I total it up I have spent the better part of three weeks on a bus. This just isn't normal.
- I love the culture and the people around C.A. The vast majority of the people have been nothing but wonderful to us in any situation. I hate that there are the few that make me distrust many. I can't decide if I am more angry at these few or at myself for falling into the trap of distrusting so many people.
- In order to travel like this you have to get used to and embrace the idea that you can't control everything. In fact you control pretty much nothing. Hopefully things go your way but they will not all the time.
- Perhaps the best hug that I got was from the owner of the corner store on Christmas day. It brightened my day a thousand fold.
- It pains me to see the poor and transient populations of the world. I want to give a quarter every time I walk past one but it comes down to a problem of numbers. What saddens me more is that this population is pushed aside, pushed around, and pushed to the background by communities and governments in favor of the flashy tourist industry.
- People are diffent from me. They have lived completely different lives, have completly different ambitions and expectations, and understand about as much about me as I do them. This is what makes travel interesting and difficult at the same time. Finding that line between your quest for experiences and respect for those around you.
- I have always been a fairly prompt person. I did not fully realize this until lately. It does drive me a little crazy when people are not on time or I am late for something. This, however, is part of the culture here. 30 minutes late is right on time.
- Hostel living isn't easy. I am tired of the same lines. The "get to know you" conversations get old when you have to have them every single day. It seems to me that the where-are-you-from-where-are-you-going-how-long-are-you-traveling conversations seem to turn into a type of competition between travelers of who has gone the most places or playing the longest. I can only take it so long before I seclude myself and hide from them.
- HIPPIES-enough said
- It really sucks when the incredibly hot chick sleeping above you speaks absolutely no English. It makes me sad.
- I like the random experiences you get when you least expect them. In Granada at the circus Joslyn randomly paid for a family of four to get into the circus. One of those gestures that you do without any hope of getting anything out of it. The next morning I was standing in the market while everybody waited for the bus and the mother grabbed me and told me not to move until she got back with breakfast for the two of us. I have never seen a complete stranger so excited to buy anybody else anything. It made me really happy.
- I like sailing. Brendon makes fun of me for this alot.
- I feel like I might have misspent some of my time in Central America. Part of this is because of the short time we really could stay places another is because I was using C.A. as a school for my Spanish but while it was probably one of the best times of my lie I would have liked more from it. I am making that my goal for South America. Stay places longer that don't revolve around gringos, get involved in the local scene, do some real volunteer work, and immerse myself more in the local culture altogether.
lessons
Posted By:
Jason
2/4/2009