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Published: November 10th 2008
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My Guatemala arrival was an easy transition. I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t get my backpack, but all turned out well. I remember walking out of the airport through the sliding doors and plainly seeing a welcoming audience that stood at the tip of their toes ready to greet their loved ones. I first recognized my uncle Jaime but he didn’t recognize me as I waved at him with joy. He said I was taller than what he expected. He last saw me when I was 10 years old. It was my grandmother from poppa’s side who I hadn’t seen in over a decade that ran towards me and gave me a big hug and kiss. I don’t know how she knew it was me. Maybe she saw her son in me because they say I’m a duplicate of my father.
Paraphrased hard copy journal entry
We experienced car traffic like I’ve never seen before. Imagine Los Angeles traffic but without traffic lights to control the car congestion, and in addition, imagine people walking across the streets and disregarding cars, almost like New York City pedestrians with all the jay walking…I was embraced by my mother’s family
when I got home. I was surprised to see so many unfamiliar faces. I had never met before the ten or so cousins of mine because the last time I was here they weren’t born yet. At first, they were very shy and timid, but just a couple of hours later we were all playing games and getting to know one another. I think we immediately connected knowing that we were family. I spent most of the day talking to my uncle Guillermo and my cousin Jorge. We talked about everything in life from family, to work, to goals, to culture, to sports, to personal experience. You name it, we talked about it…I realized now that the more the family grows as I see them growing, the more promise they have to progress to a better life. However, this progress could turn into hardship as it gets harder to raise more children by financial endeavor.
I started drinking with my uncles and cousins, one Gallo after another (Guatemala’s popular beer). We then visited Zone 1; an important municipal area for it holds the public office of Guatemala’s President, Alvaro Colom, and next to his office is a beautiful Cathedral.
Being at the public office I had the privilege to read and know more of the most influential presidents of Guatemala. To name a few: Arbenz, Arevalo, and would-be president Casteneda. Castaneda was unfortunately assassinated during a public speech. Many believed that the perpetrator was the government. Guatemala has had a civil war for the past 33 years between the military and its citizens, and from that there has been a lot of blood shed…I thought then to see if I could find my friend Tony. I had spoken to him earlier and he mentioned that he was staying in the area…I found him and the rest is history. It was great to see him and I recall him making a rooster sound to show his excitement when we first saw each other. We got home and my family embraced him with open arms...it was truly memorable. More drinks, more food, and more good times. I pray that there are more to come. Buenas Noches.
My Aunt Elsy just arrived and I’m very happy to see her. She is an aunt of mine that looks a lot like my mom. My dad once told me that he was heart
broken when he first met my mom because he thought that my aunt Elsy was my mom's daughter…I’m very sad to say goodbye to my mom’s family. I gave them all a big hug and kiss, especially my grandma. I then walked away down the same street that my mother, uncle’s and aunt’s once did to reach a well that provided water. We have come a long way.
In grandma’s house from my dad’s side now, and it’s just her and grandpa hanging out at the house. I will leave tomorrow to Coban with my friend Tony and the adventure begins. The short time that I’ve been here with my grandma and grandpa, I’ve gotten to know her and she reminds me a lot of my dad. Grandma is so full of life, her laugh is distinguishable, and I admire her and care for her a lot for telling me how much she loved my mom. She has also revealed to me a side of my dad that I did not know about. About how he calls her regularly and tells her that he's thinking about her and that he cares about her. It makes me respect poppa even
more…And so tomorrow we leave and I’m excited of the people that we will meet and of all the adventures we’re going to live no matter how short it’s going to be. Coban here we come!
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