Environment
It smells like China. Everyone keeps commenting on how everything here feels so familiar. Girish mentions how the car shops are like in Malaysia. Hari and Ishani speak about India. The way the shops look, the weaving of the motorcycles all remind each of us of something familiar. The weather is warm and breezy, the three volcanoes surrounding us carry a certain awe and mystery, the town we are staying in is quaint and friendly, and we can finally see the stars. I already feel like I´m at home.
People
What I notice most are the smiles. Smiles are universal. They testify to how easy communication can be, even without words. A smile can brighten a face, and in that split second, I feel that I have reached an understanding with the person smiling back at me. So of course, I smile at everyone.
In introducing ourselves to Philiberto, the man kind enough to drive us three hours from Guatemala City to Panajachel, Hari has become Javier and I have become Lucia. I think people are making the effort to become a part of normal life here and to really understand what it is like to be a part of this community.
Team
We have become close effortlessly. Already we have jokes and secret looks that bind us together, and I know these stronger ties with each other will translate into the service we do and bolster the experience we receive from this trip. I already know that I can trust the people I am with. and I mean trust in a greater sense that just with the material. I mean trust as in the personal, the feelings that I have. There is a certain empathetic connection that has emerged between us out here so far away from what we are used to. When I speak, I do not need too many words before I hear murmurs of agreement. When I want to take a picture, someone else already has their camera out. I am learning not just from being in this incredible place that I have yet to completely soak in, but also from my teammates--my fellow Rotaractors--my friends.
Absolutely entranced,
Lucy
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