Only one month left...

I am very grateful to the YMCA of the USA and the YMCA of Greater Seattle for giving me the opportunity to come down and work with the YMCA of Guatemala. This has been an amazing experience and I hope that someday all of you are able to experience life in another country or to appreciate the educational experience of a intercultural exchange.

No matter how much I do not want to thinking about it, the universe keeps trying to remind me that I have to leave Guatemala in less than a month. It is starting to creep into all of my conversations, my thoughts and even my dreams at night. While still trying my hardest to be fully present to my life here in Guatemala, I am faced to also start planning for life back in Seattle. Where will I live, what will my job be at the Seattle Y, what bus route can I take and how will I adjust to the upcoming culture shock. Experience has taught me a lot about readjusting back to US culture, but no matter how much I try to prepare myself, it is always very challenging for me!

After 4 months here in Guatemala, I am just starting to feel like part of the YMCA Guatemala team, more confident in my spanish and am finally able to support my coworkers. In all honesty, I am a little scared to return to life in the states. Most of my fear is for the culture difference, as those of you who know me all know that it is hard for me to live in the U.S. My mom likes to say that the only reason that I don't fit in because I don't want to; and I am sure that part of that is true.

In the Guatemalan culture everyone greets strangers and shows affection to the people that they know. Walking down the street I am constantly greeted by strangers that take the time to say 'hello', 'good day', 'have a nice trip', that is just from the strangers that I encounter. I am constantly being hugged and kissed (on the cheek that is) with everyone at work, at home, friends of friends (even the first time that we meet). The challenge is from leaving the affectionate culture of Guatemala to return to our (in my opinion) dry and cold culture of the states. I am in no way trying to offend anyone but am just speaking from my experience and the way that I feel.

In my life in Seattle, it is rare that someone would even look at me let alone talk to me on the bus. When I lived alone, I would go days (at times weeks) without the human contact that is so abundantly part of the Guatemalan/latin daily culture. I feel that although we all have giving hearts and good intentions, that we do not always know how to express that emotion, or perhaps that we express it in different ways.

I write all of this for two reasons.

1. I ask for your help and patience as I struggle to readjust to the U.S. culture at the end of November. Hugs are always welcome! =-)

2. I guarantee you that I am not alone in my struggles to live and feel comfortable in the U.S. culture. My hope is that we take this information, my experience, into consideration when working with newcomers (immigrants, refugees, international visitors). I am in no way suggesting that we go around and start kissing all newcomers in our community (you would end up in the looney bin or jail). But I do think that there is value in reevaluating how we (at the YMCA) welcome newcomers into our programs and our branches.

This is in no way a closure to my experience in Guatemala,I still have one month left and am sure that it will be full of interesting experiences. I just wanted to share my thoughts and ask for your support upon my return.

(Yes mom, I promise to return on November 26th, you do not have to come get me!)