Hey Families and Friends!
Today by far is the most eye-opening experience we’ve probably all had. We had to live as locals which means no lights, bucket showers, no cameras, and we weren’t allowed to spend money. So, first off, wake up time was at 6:30 AM and breakfast was at 7. We got on the bus to Rio Grande, which is a small rural area right outside of Constanza. When we got there, we got into groups of 2 or 3 and got separated to work with different families that live there. While we were there we helped out with some chores, such as washing dishes, folding clothes, peeling beans, mopping the floor, and cooking food. We also had a chance to have lunch and eat with them. After we ate we said our gratitude speeches to our families and took pictures with them. They were really welcoming people. As soon as we got there they invited us into their homes and made us feel like we are a part of their family. Overall we felt kind of petty about our own daily complaints after seeing how they live. It was a genuine experience for us to be able to live the way they do and realize the differences in the way we live our daily lives. Even though they barely have any material things, they are still very happy and humble people. They are very giving and generous people also! (They gave us drawings and pictures of them to remember them) even though they may not have much. Tonight we passed the torch of LDD to our friends Sofia and Jasmin! Looking forward to seeing them being in the role of leadership for immigration day 🙂
Today I got the be the leader of the day! One thing I think I did well is I made it fun for everyone. People seemed to be having fun with me as leader. One thing I think I could improve on was keeping track of time and reminding people to drink water. I think I have grown more in being responsible from this experience because I got to experience what it’s like being in the role of leadership and it’s harder than I thought. I kept getting lost in the fun playing with the kids and losing track of time. Mom, if you’re reading this tell everyone that I miss them and Love them.
-Carlos
I think being leader of the day is definitely a lot of responsibility, but also a lot of fun. I think something I did better as a leader would be prioritizing everyone else before me and just having a great time and giving it an all out experience. I really appreciate how they made us feel no different from them and I have a lot of take aways from this experience. (The kids are so adorable!!) I’ve felt pretty petty for the complaints I’ve had after seeing how they live, but on a brighter side, I am now more aware to be appreciative and humble with what I have. Something that I could have done better would be reminding the group about drinking water, role calls and the question of the day, which is “What are the challenges of living in this community and what are the benefits?”. Overall, this is by far my favorite experience and I am grateful to have been a part of it. P.S. Love you Mommy and John and everyone else!! Miss you guys and talk to you soon!!
-Emilla
Overall this trip has been eye-opening and great for us. We’ve both become so close to so many people and we’re glad that we came on this trip. A challenge for most of us has been being home sick, but we’re able to manage through it and enjoy being here while it lasts. We’re looking forward to more fun times and experiences.
Your lovely leaders,
Emilla and Carlos
Hey Carlos, it’s Natalie! Your prima lol, dude you mean so much to Viet hai and I and so much more other people. We miss you like heck and hope you’re having a great time and learning new things everyday. We stay counting down the days until you come back man. We miss and love you more than you know. Best wishes cuz!! Love you <3
– Natalie Delgado
I am so proud of all of you! What an experience. Love the pictures with everyone. Gracelyn, I love you and miss you! I race home (carefully!) from work to read these blogs! Love them!
Enjoy, my sweet baby girl! XOXO
What an amazing experience!
Love you, Goose???!
Hello there Jaqueline Alvarez (or sis),
I am just here to say ” You smart, you loyal ” – Dj Khaled and that we miss you. I have read and viewed the blogs. Let me say that you are in our hearts and we will be there when you comeback home.
Sincerely,
Your Younger Bro
Always loyal and of course you will be there, you’re not moving…. LOL Miss you too or whatever. <3
Carlos, we are SO very proud of you. We are really glad that you got to experience being leader of the day, especially while “living like a local”. Makes you realize the importance and value of family/friends. Material things are not the most important thing in life. You are such an amazing, kind, caring, and good kid. We miss you so much and are counting down the days for you to come back. We love you lots and send you lots of hugs and kisses! P.S. – Alessandro asks us every day when you are coming back, and Daisy also looks for you… Take care and be safe.
Thank you Emilla and Carlos so much for posting pictures of all GG. This is the first time in a week I get to see a clear picture of Allyson:) Looks like everyone is doing well!
So proud of all of you for first surviving well without your iPhones for a whole week 🙂 and now surviving well living like a local without most of daily necessities for a day?I’m sure all GG appreciate your life in US much more now. Hope all GG will do more chores around the house when you come back since you all had a great training today:)
Continue to learn and enjoy the experience as much as you can, GG!
Love and miss you a lot Allyson!
Mom, Dad, Brandon, Carolyn, LOL, Auntie Carol, Amanda and Katina.
Carlos, espero que cuando regreses, valores todas las cosas y comodidades que tienes en casa, y que esta experiencia te haga crecer como persona. Cuidate mucho y te quiero mucho. Te doy tu bendicion todas las noches. Encomiendate a Dios y dale gracias todos los dias.
Carlos what’s up leader for the day!!!! NICE!! I’m proud of you bro. Good job on all the things you are doing and learning over there hope you have fun on the rest of your stay. while you are there remember to be respectful and don’t be lazy. I hope you come back with great stories for the rest of us back in San Jose. peace out man from your homie back home.
No lights, bucket showers .. so happy you are getting to experience the local way of life ?
It was wonderful taking to you today ! Have fun and enjoy every day !
Love you lots Reetu ❤️??
Mom Dad Aaju Neha Micky
Grandma say hello Allyson. Happy. Lucky. Hope you learn a lot. Teach me how to speak Spanish!
Carlos!
It’s your boy Viet-Hai coming at you from Cali. I’m honestly so proud of you stepping up and becoming a leader, and I can’t wait to hear your stories when you come home. I just wanted to let you know that I kinda miss you sometimes I guess, and remind you to live everyday like an adventure while you’re gone! And finally, I just wanted to let you know that I’m hanging out with the sunset boy soon, so I’ll let you know about that when you come back. Anyway, have fun while you’re away amigo!
Hey your in the pic Nice!!!?
Sincerely the oldest brother
I LOOK GOOD <3
We miss you tooo emilllaaa!! Take care and have fun .
Leo,
This is just the beginning for you, you amaze me everyday!!
I’m proud of you son.
Take this experience and grow from it…..
P.S.
Your brother is taking care of your XBox!!! ?
Everyone looks so happy! Melody, so proud to see your big smile. This is a very valuable experience. You will treasure it for a long time to come. I can’t wait for you to come back and tell me all about it. Enjoy the rest of the trip!
Mom and Dad
Hi everyone! I’m Jordan and I’m friends with Angelica Shao, and I just wanted to say that I hope everybody is having fun! Also hope you guys are learning a lot- especially from Living Like a Local. I cannot wait to travel here at the end of July!
Carlos – so proud of your work as Líder del Día and of the fact that you’re a part of this life-changing and amazing experience! I can’t wait to hear about your trip when we see each other in August. My hope is not only are YOU getting everything you can out of this trip but also this experience allows you to have a positive impact on OTHERS when you return home. Stay positive, stay open, and stay hydrated 🙂 From your mentor, Ms. Kim
You are all doing such an awesome job. Great pics:) LEO, it looks like you’re having a great time:)?
I’M GLAD EVERYONE HAVING WONDERFUL TIME, JUST AMAZING EXPERIENCE EVERYONE LOOKS HAPPY, CAN’T WAIT UNTIL MILLESHA COME BACK AND TELL ME EVERYTHING, MISS AND LOVE YOU. MOM.
Hi LIzzy
Hope your doing well! We made it a week now one more to go. We miss you! Hope your having a great time. Can’t wait to hear all the stories. We love seeing your pictures.
Love Mom, Victoria and William❤️
Hi Mom, I miss you guys so much! Can’t wait to come back! Tell everyone I said hi and give William a big kiss for me! I love you guys <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BOTH OF YOU!
How amazing what a great experience you all are having. Just wonderful have a lovely trip and return home safely! Love Angie (Dao) mom
Jaqui Glad to see you in the pic Keep learning and enjoying this opportunity take care of your self and your friends
Miss you too dad, LOVE YOU! <3
Mijo,
I am so proud of you and very happy you had a chance to be a leader. We miss you so much and cannot wait for you to come home to tell us all about your adventure. But for now, enjoy your time with everyone there, you are learning so much about how other countries live that I know you will appreciate your family when you return. God bless you mijo we will see you soon.
Nina Sandra❤
Hi Angelica,
See your happy face in the picture. Hope you having fun and learning a lot.
Love,
Mom
This is so cool! Love you Gracelyn, hope you’re having an amazing experience!!
Hello TK! 🙂 xoxo