Running down my grandmother’s back corredor in Salvador trying to grab a hen. Exhausted of chasing back and forth for the hen under the shinny sun above me. It was extremely hot about 95 degrees Fahrenheit and I was dripping sweat all over the place. I couldn’t grab it because it was the first time doing it and didn’t know the correct way to do it. My grandmother came over since she saw me struggling and taught me the correct way.
I believe in finding yourself in others. In the 21st century when you grow up you are surrounded in a world of technology, ungratefulness, and high expectations. Before I went on this life changing missions trip that was my mindset. I was ungrateful,and jealous of what I did not have. But now my values and my mindset has changed I now am grateful, and I am jealous of the people who have so little and are still so happy.
With an abrupt rattle and jerk, I was interrupted from my two-and-a-half hour uncomfortable van ride nap. Immediately, my nostrils were flooded with tropical coconuts, bananas, and citruses of nearby vendors and shacks. Drowned out by the rambunctious engines of motorcycle taxis were the passionate greetings of townspeople and the entire community. When I stepped out of the van, the horizon was noticeably stuffed with constant greenery and the humidity was so thick that I could almost chew it. The neighborhood seemed shabby and run-down, yet everyone smiled and treated one another like a big family.
Long ago I thought there was no light at the end of the tunnel; long ago I thought there was no hope. Surviving isn't living and doing it so scared of the repercussions is just horrible. I was born and raised in Cuba, I saw the despair of many families. I saw death, disease and the dissolution of families, friendships.
Growing up in Honduras was quite an experience. I come from a hard working family where both of my parents went through several obstacles to provide me and my siblings a stable life. Honduras is a country that is consider a third-world country where economy along with delinquency are a big issue, but my parents still manage to provide the sources for me and my other two siblings on what it is necessary. My family and I were affected by organized crime, a day where my life was changed forever. It was a Friday afternoon when my brother and my father were kidnapped, they had left to a soccer game.
I’d lived there my whole life, yet somehow looking up to it from the dirt made it seem so much bigger. Scary even. I listened to my mother’s cries out the open window as I picked myself up off the ground. I grabbed my suitcase and turned my back on the only life I’d known. As I walked towards the bus stop, if that’s even where I was going, I thought about what had just happened.
It was July 15, 2012 my heart was pounding as fast as a racing car,as I slowly walked the steps of the enormous plane,I slowly thought of how different my life was gonna be, in new place i’ve never been to. I felt exited to meet this place but at same time I felt scared……how different was Latin America gonna be? “El Salvador”,my mom softly repeated the name of the place we where traveling to. After four hours of watching the white clouds,and the peaceful sky, we had finally arrived. As we stepped out of the Airport my eyes where rapidly attracted to all the Cultural things around me,I could feel how my lungs breathed in and out the smell of traditional food and fresh natural air.
I was born in Colombia, South America and lived there until I turned seven. Before I moved to the states, I attended a public school and was on the competitive swim team for my school. I earned many awards the year and a half I swam for my school. I took pride in competing with girls three to four years older than me. I also remember how different things were there than they are here in the states.
My grandfather asked me “Which one?” I respond “Let’s get this one”. Little did I know that guinea pig was my dinner. Guinea pigs or cuy are not pets but food in Ecuador. When I arrived at the airport it looked like any typical airport, but it felt as if I was in a different world.
I am Juan Carlos Gomez and I am a proud Mexican-Salvadorian. In the seventeen years that I have been alive, I have been living in a trailer. I live with only my mom as her job is working in a kitchen at South Lyon County Hospital. I am very hard worker as I try my best in everything I do. I make sure that I give my all all the time in order to go further in my life.
I was anxious to see what this new place was, It was sooo different from where I used to live. After that, we came straight to Colorado, It was blazing hot, this place had an “airport” smell. My relatives welcomes us with warm rice with curry. Their house looked very different from where I used to live.
People always told me that money can’t buy happiness, but I never truly experienced what that meant until I met the people of Honduras. The country and the people had an impact on me and on how I see the world. In my interactions with the people and culture of Honduras, among some very challenging living conditions, I was inspired by their love of family, welcoming attitude, and joy of life. For me, Honduras was like a mirror for me to look in and see my own life compared to the Hondurans’. If I brought back one thing with me, it was the desire to be like them in how I face life, love family and friends, and be filled with joy.
Can you guess where my first trip was to? In May 13, 2003, I had my first trip to El Paso Texas. I woke up at 8am I was super excited and nervous at the same time, because I knew this trip would be a great experience for me. I was going to take a plane for the first time.
In my life ive had lots of memorable events , but the most unforgettable one was my graduation trip to Cancun Mexico. when I first found out I was going to this trip I thought it would be so easy as in just get up and go, but no this trip took tons of planing, the most important part of this trip was getting my passport that took about five weeks to arrive, once I received my passport then I was able to start booking my flight, that's when the excitement started,then I booked my hotel. I took care of all the important things then I started looking into placing and things I would be visiting such as beaches,water parks, entertainment shows,shopping centers,restaurants,etc The day arrived off we go to Cancun my boyfriend,friends and I, We got to the airport early that morning went thought security then we grabbed are tickets found are gate number then took a sit while we wait for the plane
New Beginnings People come to America for new opportunities, for a better life, after all it is the land of the free and the home of the brave. However I never envisioned I would ever come to America. At the age of 8 my life changed forever. My mother wanted to leave our life behind and move to an unfamiliar country. I was shocked when my mom told me we be would coming here
