Love
Love comes in many patterns, colours, ideals, strengths...
interests even.
I love you...
How many times have you said that?
How many times have you heard it said to you?
I love your smile.
I love your attitude.
I love your clothes, your fragrance, your views on life, your interests...and..and so much more.
So much love...
So
I love the people of Guatemala.
Why?
Why you may ask?
Hmm yes why indeed?
I just do.. but that is not an explanation or a complete thought.. not a feeling.. even, is it?
That is just me writing that down here words that say nothing really, for you (my ever growing readership) words to read..
yes just me saying that.
So what and why do I love these people? What do I love about this land?
There is poverty and death associated with that... I do not love that.
To qualify what I am writing, I suppose I have to examine
"what is love to me."
Well compared to my complex world, I am attracted to and yes love the simplicity amongst the people in Guatemala.
They live a basic life.
They are poor, some well below the poverty level.
The first time I traveled to Guatemala, it was early, well actually is was in February of 2010.
I remember clearly the happy smiles, content with who they are, they live a simple life.
I remember the different boats on Lago Atitlan.
It is that very simplistic comparison of acceptance, being able to smile about it, that has grabbed my attention of these people. I see through and with them, the love they have.
The love they openly give and share.
They will openly accept you (better if you have some espanol).
It is a different country to live in. But if you can accept the shortcomings, accept a simple life in Guatemala, you will have a wonderful experience.
I remember friends made
Not everything works in Guatemala as it does in more developed countries.
I used to shake my head at what I saw in how things worked.
The plumbing for instance, or the electrical wiring. Both scared me at first but also made me think in awe of how they made things work. So for just the ways things are done and for all its (to my thinking) shortcomings.. well it works here and it works really very well.
I also love the loud lavish garish colours, that innocent brashness of loudness and wild contrasts, the excitement of life.
Loud music? Is there any other kind? Loud music is everywhere. When people don't seem to listen, the answer to that is simple. Just turn the volume up.
I love the way they depicted history.
I love the smiles and happy faces.
I love the children with their beautiful eyes.
I love their innocence.
I love the cerveza (beer) here and yes the scotch that I buy for one half the price of the same thing in Canada.
I love the fact that my rent is extremely cheap and that I can rent a (simple) house for around a $100.00 a month.
I love that I am close to the centre of the city of Xela.
I love the fact that there are three street markets all within walking distance and that I can buy fresh vegetable and fruits and meat all so very close to me...
I love the fact that Xela (unlike other centres such as Antigua) does not cater to English speaking tourists or travelers.
I love the fact that even though Monsanto exists here, most farmers cannot afford their pesticides. So I love the fact that most the I buy is more natural.
I love the simplicity of life here.
I also love how easily it is to help people here. I do that through this blog and in other ways.
Yes,
I love Guatemala.
PS...
I love my readers and the fun you allow me to have, writing this blog for you.
Love comes in many patterns, colours, ideals, strengths...
interests even.
I love you...
How many times have you said that?
How many times have you heard it said to you?
I love your smile.
I love your attitude.
I love your clothes, your fragrance, your views on life, your interests...and..and so much more.
So much love...
So
I love the people of Guatemala.
Why?
Why you may ask?
Hmm yes why indeed?
I just do.. but that is not an explanation or a complete thought.. not a feeling.. even, is it?
That is just me writing that down here words that say nothing really, for you (my ever growing readership) words to read..
yes just me saying that.
So what and why do I love these people? What do I love about this land?
There is poverty and death associated with that... I do not love that.
To qualify what I am writing, I suppose I have to examine
"what is love to me."
Well compared to my complex world, I am attracted to and yes love the simplicity amongst the people in Guatemala.
They are poor, some well below the poverty level.
The first time I traveled to Guatemala, it was early, well actually is was in February of 2010.
I remember clearly the happy smiles, content with who they are, they live a simple life.
I remember the different boats on Lago Atitlan.
It is that very simplistic comparison of acceptance, being able to smile about it, that has grabbed my attention of these people. I see through and with them, the love they have.
The love they openly give and share.
They will openly accept you (better if you have some espanol).
It is a different country to live in. But if you can accept the shortcomings, accept a simple life in Guatemala, you will have a wonderful experience.
I remember friends made
Not everything works in Guatemala as it does in more developed countries.
I used to shake my head at what I saw in how things worked.
The plumbing for instance, or the electrical wiring. Both scared me at first but also made me think in awe of how they made things work. So for just the ways things are done and for all its (to my thinking) shortcomings.. well it works here and it works really very well.
I also love the loud lavish garish colours, that innocent brashness of loudness and wild contrasts, the excitement of life.
Loud music? Is there any other kind? Loud music is everywhere. When people don't seem to listen, the answer to that is simple. Just turn the volume up.
I love the way they depicted history.
I love the smiles and happy faces.
I love the children with their beautiful eyes.
I love their innocence.
I love the cerveza (beer) here and yes the scotch that I buy for one half the price of the same thing in Canada.
I love the fact that my rent is extremely cheap and that I can rent a (simple) house for around a $100.00 a month.
I love that I am close to the centre of the city of Xela.
I love the fact that there are three street markets all within walking distance and that I can buy fresh vegetable and fruits and meat all so very close to me...
I love the fact that Xela (unlike other centres such as Antigua) does not cater to English speaking tourists or travelers.
I love the fact that even though Monsanto exists here, most farmers cannot afford their pesticides. So I love the fact that most the I buy is more natural.
I love the simplicity of life here.
I also love how easily it is to help people here. I do that through this blog and in other ways.
Yes,
I love Guatemala.
PS...
I love my readers and the fun you allow me to have, writing this blog for you.
