Hey everyone back home!!
This is Vidusha and Tess, we were the first student leaders of the delegation. Today was a really incredible and eye opening day… even though we had to wake up at 6am. The goal today was to live like a local from the town of Suarez. This meant that for 24 hours we had to live without electricity, water, or a fan, which was very difficult given the 90+ degree heat!
We started off our day with a simple breakfast of hot chocolate and bread at Rosaura’s. We then took a guagua (a smaller bus taken by many locals) to Suarez. Upon arrival, we met with family leaders from the town and went with them to meet their own families. Each family had its own unique characteristics, and we were able to ask them about their daily life.
Vidusha: My group was adopted by a single mother who had two children, a ten year old daughter, and a 17 year old son. Previous to meeting her I had heard so much from my GG leaders about how well respected she is by the community because she had worked so hard to raise her children by herself with no help which was very different to the other multiple adult households in the community. Meeting her, I was nervous at first because I do not speak any Spanish but I was quickly at ease because my two friends Shirley and Cindy helped translate and I was able to understand so much about her life and how she lived. I also had an amazing time watching her cook beans that she shucked herself and playing with her daughter.
Tess: My group met with an elderly couple who have lived in Suarez for their whole lives. I was expecting them to be very quiet and just want us to do chores, but the man, Rafael, was very open to talking to us. While I had trouble understanding 100% of what Rafael was saying, I could tell he has a passion for learning about other cultures and the way we live in California.
Talking to Rafael was the best part of my Global Glimpse experience so far because he was so open minded and seemed genuinely interested in what we were saying. In America, older people are often set in their ways, but Rafael said he wants to keep learning for the rest of his life.
After we talked with our families, we had lunch with all the Gimpsers and the community members.
After lunch, we sadly had to say goodbye to our newfound friends and family and headed back to San Juan. We were able to get a little bit of well needed free time, then jumped into our CAP discovery meeting. We unanimously agreed that for our final project this year we would be building a concession stand that would enable the community to sell and store food during baseball games.
We then headed to Rosaura’s for a simple dinner(in the dark) of yucca, fried egg, eggplant, and avocado. Finally,we walked to the accommodation and did our reflection, nightly meeting and thankfully got our fans and electricity back, though we were grateful for the experience.
We miss you all so much!
Vidusha and Tess
Good job, Tess! Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences when you get home!
Can’t wait to tell you guys everything! – Tess
Kaylee,
We all missed you. I know it must be hard for you to live with a 90 degree weather without electricity and a fan. But
I am proud all of you!!
XOXO
Mama
Hello this message is for Shirley Hernandez, hi mija i don’t see you on the pictures you better pose for the photo so we can see you. i hope you are having a great time out there we miss you but we understand you wanted to go. so have fun and take pictures of everything. we love you very much even woody.
thank you tia I love you guys so much and miss you guys so much. tell woody and raider I love them. tell my parents to. I miss you all LOVE YOU SO MUCH. keep on checking this everyday and write too. -shirley
Tess:
What’s with this comment about American old people?
Love,
YOUR GRANDFATHER
I said “often” not “always” and you know its true haha -Tess
Hello My Little princess, I miss u so much bb, but hope you are enjoying every day and all the activities with your new friends. I’m so happy to see you in this pic. I love you and see you soon. Te esperamos con los brazos abiertos
Hi Ma!!! Im gonna call you tomorrow I miss you so muchhhhhhhh
Allen, you looked great and we are so proud of you!
Mom and dad
Hi Margot, we miss you so much. I hope you are settling in and having fun. We love you!!
Mom and Dad
Yeeeees, you got my message. ok i’ll tell your parents. and woody said “no mami dile a esa patoja que yo tambien quiero un break jajaja pero que si la quiero” mi Nena i can’t wait to hear your historias. Enjoy every moment of it mija and your new friends too. We love you and your cousins say hi Nena and your tio too. take pictures ok. besitos xoxo
Attempting to live like a local gives true perspective of people, community and country.
Vid: can’t wait to hear your experience in detail. Enjoy!
LOVE U DAADDDD
Vid, super proud of you and your adventures in kindness and community living. Can’t wait to hear more upon your return home. Enjoy the rest of your stay and continue to explore cultures and ways if life different than your own.
Vid! I miss you. Nice article!