Today was a pretty fun day despite some minor happenings. For one, I feel like everyone came together pretty well, stepped a little bit out of their comfort zones, and stepped in to support and help others. We all pulled through together, connecting with each other and trying not to ignore issues but rather talk about it and help each other out.

 

Compared to our last free day and the beginning of the trip, the majority of us have seen some crazy stuff and some of us would not have believed it without seeing it in person. Others knew these things existed but not to the extent that it currently is. The conditions here can be harsh and a bit of a struggle, and personally I am grateful to be on this trip. This is a really great experience and really touches me in the heart.

Today’s quote was, “Let us pick up our books and our pens. They are the most powerful weapons. One child, one book, one pen, and one teacher can change the world.” This really makes me think that the world does not see the simplicity of changing the human mind with the tools like education, and sees instead violence as something to fix the world, only to make more problems.

Free day usually means, to me, a time to explore myself a little in ways that were unknown to me, and to open up a little more than usual. I did not really know what I was getting myself into…but basically, today I have gotten my nails painted for the first time in a very weird style, that even the workers at the nail salon questioned! I was thinking back to when my sisters would ask me if I could get my nails painted and I refused. This time, my friends pushed me to try it, but this time it was different because they pushed me to think of it as taking a shot and showing the world a different viewpoint. I think of it as showing the world the difference between the common and the uncommon.

I think everyone really cared for each other and people who needed some help and shared their thoughts to each other, and discussed their feelings on how much they care for their current conditions. We’re all looking forward to tomorrow, and I hope for the best.