My time in Mexico is coming to a close. I will have been here a total of 183 days. I have taken over 6000 pictures. I have been to well over 30 cities. I have met so many people. I have learned so much Spanish. I'm sure I have written over 50 journal entries about my trip here as well as to Colombia. I have tasted some of the finest food Latin America has to offer. I have gotten sick more than 4 times from the finest food Latin America has to offer. And now...it's time to come home.
Mexico challenges me more than anything. This year and last year might be one of the hardest experiences of my life, but it molds me into who I am more than anything previously. I can't even tell you what it is exactly. I just come back thankful I'm alive (from the times I swear I almost die from bizarre sicknesses), I come back longing to be around the people I love (for the times I swear I almost die from being alone). I come back craving really weird foods (this time it is an incredibly delicious salad topped with every type of natural organic vegetable Kroger can offer dressed in some fine creamy Italian dressing. weird.).
So as I look back at all those pictures, reread all those journal entries, remember all those "pinche fiestas" I went to in all those exotic towns ;-) I have to ask myself, what will it matter? What will change in my habits in Cincinnati that will say I changed for the better. For I do believe I have been changed for the better (all you Wicked fans out there)
Without running the risk of being too dramatic or corny (as I have a tendency to do) here is a list of things I have learned looking back through my pictures.
1) They say you are a total sum of everyone you meet. I say if this is true, invest in the lives of those around you with everything you have so at the end of your life you can say you lived.
2) Give all of yourself with love and sacrifice until you can give no more. It's about the little things
3) Make friends with people who are completely different from you. You might learn something new, or if anything you'll at least have a new friend.
4) Learn to party. Responsibly of course. But humans were created to celebrate and you'll bond with a person faster under the banner of merriment.
5) Hold fast to the things you love but also be quick to let go to share with joy.
6) Fight for peace you believe in. Die for something that is worth living for. Cry for a future of joy.
7) Let music be your vision you when you cannot see.
8) Feed those who cannot feed themselves even when you are hungry.
9) Laugh for no reason. Run until you tire. Sing until your hoarse. For the kingdom of God is such as these...
10) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight."
Mexico challenges me more than anything. This year and last year might be one of the hardest experiences of my life, but it molds me into who I am more than anything previously. I can't even tell you what it is exactly. I just come back thankful I'm alive (from the times I swear I almost die from bizarre sicknesses), I come back longing to be around the people I love (for the times I swear I almost die from being alone). I come back craving really weird foods (this time it is an incredibly delicious salad topped with every type of natural organic vegetable Kroger can offer dressed in some fine creamy Italian dressing. weird.).
So as I look back at all those pictures, reread all those journal entries, remember all those "pinche fiestas" I went to in all those exotic towns ;-) I have to ask myself, what will it matter? What will change in my habits in Cincinnati that will say I changed for the better. For I do believe I have been changed for the better (all you Wicked fans out there)
Without running the risk of being too dramatic or corny (as I have a tendency to do) here is a list of things I have learned looking back through my pictures.
1) They say you are a total sum of everyone you meet. I say if this is true, invest in the lives of those around you with everything you have so at the end of your life you can say you lived.
2) Give all of yourself with love and sacrifice until you can give no more. It's about the little things
3) Make friends with people who are completely different from you. You might learn something new, or if anything you'll at least have a new friend.
4) Learn to party. Responsibly of course. But humans were created to celebrate and you'll bond with a person faster under the banner of merriment.
5) Hold fast to the things you love but also be quick to let go to share with joy.
6) Fight for peace you believe in. Die for something that is worth living for. Cry for a future of joy.
7) Let music be your vision you when you cannot see.
8) Feed those who cannot feed themselves even when you are hungry.
9) Laugh for no reason. Run until you tire. Sing until your hoarse. For the kingdom of God is such as these...
10) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight."
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and for now, please come home soon :)