Gotta say this right off the bat, I had a great time. Good people, great food, and comfortable beds. Although I did secretly miss my hammock.
It's impossible for me to describe what it was like to be back in the states after 6 months abroad. In so many ways you feel good to be home but in so many other ways you feel like some sort of a martian, out of place in the land of gringos and organic lettuce. For the most part, life is exactly as you left it, but something's off. You suddenly realize you feel completely different. Not that you don't enjoy every minute of being there. It's just that you feel a little off. And that's when you realize the reverse culture shock is kicking in.
Plus, seeing everyone was so bittersweet. I had so much fun, but sometimes it was tough to detach and just be in the moment without thinking about what an average Tuesday night looks like back "home" in El Sal. Or what the next steps are for my water project. Or if the community member I asked to fax the list of names for the stoves is actually gonna do it (she did it - yay!). You basically just walk around like a zombie with your consciousness split in two like a grapefruit. Partly because you're on vacation, and I've never been able to leave my work behind. And also because you've worked so hard to adapt and create something of a life down here, you just feel disrupted, like your legs were kicked out from under you.
Anyway, this is coming out all wrong. I had an awesome time. And everyone should know that. The challenges of readjusting were real, but they're already in the past. Maybe you guys will feel the same after you spend a week here. Who knows. And on that note, here's a brief recap of the craziness that was my two weeks stateside.
The wedding of all weddings
What’s a really good way to make your wedding day unforgettable? Have a hurricane pass through on the same day! Sweet. It was honestly a weird experience going from bucket baths and riding in pickup trucks through Guatemala to then be standing there in a blue blazer eating cucumber hors doeuvres and sipping prosecco. That’s like the definition of culture shock. But it was worth it in the end to see everyone and finally be at one of my friends’ weddings. I’d missed too many important ones before to pass on this.
Chuck getting the talking to from the new bride. Wait wait wait. Whaddya mean I can’t bring two loaded coolers down to the lobby?
Other highlights from my trip
Dipping my toes into the Atlantic and remembering how f-ing cold it is. Puts hair on yer chest!
Visting Chuck's dad, the famous Mr. Mac, and helping Chuckie make the big move.
Seeing Mearns and Bridie, who are now, sadly, cat people.
Mearns donating the "burrito bat" to my community. Photos on their way, big guy.
Playing the would you rather game with Travis, the guy who I’m pretty sure invented the game, and seeing Jillian, who is the breath of fresh air in the smokey bar that is my life.
Trader Joes. Frozen indian food and cheap wine. Sigh.
The tripple cripple! It’s no longer a pub crawl from Fenway to Allston-Brighton, but it’s still a hell of a good time. And I got to see Mo once again. Speaking of which, thanks again for the dr. bronners peppermint soap. A cold bucket bath + peppermint soap is better than a pot of coffee, by the way.
Lobster night at Ellie’s. Deep down I secretly wanted lemon chicken and ice cream with chocolate mud, Ellie, but I guess lobster's pretty good too.
Seeing my mom and her new place, which is completely empty except for some carrots and hummus in the fridge. Mom, you work too hard.
Golfing with my dad and the boys. Did I mention culture shock?
Monday night football with the guys. Wow, I’ve lost my tolerance.
Seeing Scott’s baby photos. Scott, do you always carry a photo album of your newborn wherever you go? You’re such a proud papa.
Trying to get my friends to eat "rabies meat"
Seeing my sister-in-law’s ginormous belly. Jamie, I’m still pushing for Gabriella...
Going to the James’ Gate every other night, and trying as many different beers as possible to retrain my tastebuds what the hell an IPA is...
But then remembering that I can only have three beers now without passing out.
So fun. Here are some pics.
So many good times, it’s tough to write them all down. In general though, I just liked being around you all and hanging out like the good ol days. Awww. Sappiness.
Jimbo's visit
So when I got back, my head was messed up. Couldn’t really focus and finally broke down and talked to my boss. No surprise, she was pretty cool about it. Basically told me to ride it out and maybe talk to my gringo friends in country to help me get back in the groove. Meanwhile, she’s also helping out my buddy Jimbo to not stress so much about the challenges of his site. Basically told him to go on vacation and chill with another gringo for a few days. See where this is going? Well of course you do. This section is called Jimbo’s visit after all. Anyway, it worked. Jimbo helped me talk it out and drink all those beers I accidentally bought when I heard he was coming. And I helped him see that half my projects are failing and he needs to chill the f out about his site.
All in all, it was an awesome weekend. Went for a run, played softball with the new equipment, and caught up with a good friend. Here are a few pics from the visit. And yes, ladies, he is single. But you gotta act fast. I’ve never seen anyone grow facial hair like this guy and he’s doing two more months of that thing. Yikes. Hmm, so maybe you should wait a bit. I dunno.
Jimbo teaching my 6 year old host sister tic tac toe...
And then proceeding to peg her in the face with a baseball. Good times. We iced her face and she seems to have recovered. Only has a slight lisp now... and can’t pronounce certain words, but she’s doing great.
Ha ha. I love this photo of Jimbo out in right field. Jimbo’s facial expression = priceless.
Softball equipment from heaven
Quick story. You never know what you’re gonna get when you place an ad on craigslist. There’s just so much crazy shit on there, it’s like playing some sort of lottery. Well, I won the frickin lottery.
Mark, an incredibly generous man, who keeps impressing me more and more with his kindness, responded to my post and met me downtown to donate what I thought would be just a bunch of gloves. I had no idea what was in store for me. When I showed up, he was waiting there for me with a huge hockey-sized bag full of equipment. Mitts, bats, batting gloves, and a ton of softballs. Real ones. The ones that sting when you catch them. Had to leave a bunch of stuff behind in the states (food, clothes, chainsaw!) to get it all in under the weight restrictions, but when I brought it back, my community flipped. They just couldn’t believe how much stuff somebody just gave us. And without asking for anything in return. Well, he did want something... photos. Can you believe that? What a great guy. Well, my friend, here’s your first batch
Hey, Jenn Bos, does that glove look familiar? Thanks again for donating it!
Bottom line, I think if our team had a name, they’d vote to rename it after him.
Also, just last week, a local newspaper took our team's photo from my blog and some quotes lifted from my emails with Mark and wrote an article about Mark and his donations. It was awesome.
<<<Check it out>>>
The catch, I told them to hold the article until after my Country Director gave the go ahead. Doh. She was actually the one who told me about the article and congratulated me on the project... and then gently reminded me I dodged a bullet. Phew. No harm, no foul. I'll let you all know of any new developments, but hopefully good things will continue to come from this.
Oh man, so much more I want to write about... hunting armadillos, my weeklong birthday celebrations, building a retaining wall, my ADESCO elections... but this is getting ridiculous. If I were you, I would've stopped reading 10 minutes ago.
I hope all is well back home. Miss you all and can’t wait to see you again.
G
ps. and you thought I was joking.
pps. they sort of taste like turkey, oddly enough.
