Happy Here

Today I really enjoyed Guatemala. The first thing I noticed when I left the house at 10 this morning was that the sky was blue and clear. Clouds did not block the volcano views, which is rare after 8am. I dropped off my laundry at my favorite lavanderia, and Angelica, the girl who runs the place said she figured I had been on a trip because she hadn’t seen me in a while. I thought it was pretty cool that she noticed. I like her, and I think she likes me too. I enjoy dropping off and picking up my laundry because we always talk a little bit.

Next, I met a friend for some horchata. That’s our favorite drink here. It’s rice milk with cinnamon, and we have favorite restaurant to order it. We got a pitcher of it and sat by the open window of the restaurant catching up and talking about plans and ways that God has moved in our lives in the past few months. I noticed the cool breeze and bright blue sky and relaxed atmosphere as I watched people out the window meandering through the streets, and I was aware of how deliriously happy I was in that moment.

Then we walked to our favorite cheap Internet spot, McDonalds, where the atmosphere continued to be amazing. We got a table by the central fountain, and the Internet connection was really good! It wasn’t being finicky as it sometimes is. That makes for a good day!

On Facebook, I posted a note about enjoying my last Saturday, and I was surprised from immediate responses I received from around the world. People in Guatemala said they would miss me. People in the States said they were excited to see me. It made me feel really good. I even got responses from Indonesia and Germany wishing me well. J  

Next, I went to my favorite place to get movies. It’s the only place I know of in town where you can actually rent movies. There are not a lot of rental places because you can buy the pirated version for cheaper. But this rental place supports disabled children; they are trying to maintain a straightforward, honest business, and I want to support them. I rented a documentary movie on the recent 30-year civil war in Guatemala. That may sound strange, but the war and its effects come up in conversation all the time, and I want to know what exactly happened! I am excited about watching the movie. It has Susan Sarandon in it, so it can’t be that bad.

On my way back through town (the movie place is the opposite side of town from home), I ran into local friends multiple times. First I ran into one of my students. Then I ran into my favorite lady who works in the administrative office at my school. Then I ran into people from my church here. All of these encounters were with Spanish-speaking locals, and as I made my way through town stopping and talking to Guatemalans as though we were genuine friends, I had a sense of really belonging here.

Back in my house for dinner, I ate my last Guatemalan tamale and chatted for a while about Sept. 11 (today’s date) with the senora. Before dinner, Valeria, the one-year-old let me hold her. She is desperate for attention these days because a new baby came last week. After dinner, I got to hold Reinata, the one-week old. As usual, I am the only student in the house this weekend because my roommates always travel on the weekends. I like these times when it is just the family and me. J

The warm fuzzy feeling I had today was overshadowed only by the fact that I am leaving in a week. I have mixed feelings about it, which I suppose is a good thing. I don’t want to leave here, but I want to be there. I guess that better than not liking anywhere! I guess it means I’m happy wherever I am!