It's after midnight in Boston and I'm almost packed for my trip. My flight leaves at 6:00 am, so I need to be out the door by 3:30. Sleep is not an option at the moment, in fact, even if I had time I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes closed. I'm being mildly amused by the Red Sox game quietly playing in the background, but to be honest, I'm so nervous that I can barely concentrate on anything but my upcoming trip.
What will Guatemala be like? How will I react to the culture? How will they react to me? I suppose these fears are normal, god knows I've felt them before, but I wish I could calm my mind down and focus on why I'm really going to Central America. I'm going there to explore a part of the world I know very little about. I know plenty of Central Americans. I know how to speak their language. I even know, and love, their food, drinks, and music. What I don't know much about is how they live in their own country. Sure there's the obvious assumptions to be made. Guatemala is a poor country. Guatemala is home to ancient Mayan ruins. Guatemala exports a lot of coffee worldwide. Guatemala sends thousands of immigrants into various parts of the US every month.
I guess the reason I'm going is to see Guatemala as the Guatemalans see it. I want to experience the density, danger, and hustle of the capital city. I want to feel the heat and enormity of Tikal. I also want to drink beers with my friend, talk to girls, eat some platanos con crema, and try not to get killed in El Salvador. No matter what I end up doing, I know it will be real. This is the kind of reality you miss on most vacations. This is the kind of reality that drives me in life.
Keep reading and I'll keep posting. I'll be there in 12 hours, nervous or not, and I can't wait.
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