Gina Miller
“HI!!! NICE TO MEEEET YOUU” squealed a golden brunette as she gives me a hug and kisses both my cheeks, “my name is Majo.” I had only been outside of my country for a few hours and I already felt at home. That evening, I was walking through the streets of Antigua, oblivious to the fact that those around me would become lifelong friends. As I became more familiar with my new surroundings I only became more in awe of the beauty of this country. My first glimpse of Antigua, as the sun tucked itself into the mountains and dimmed the sky, I could feel something meaningful was about to happen.
Throughout the next three weeks, I found myself in moments that I promised myself I would never forget. I heard profound phrases from just about every Guatemalan I met. I saw friends and families and strangers live their everyday lives and realized the significant differences and similarities between my own back home. I attempted to break the language barrier I had with locals and saw the fruit of my efforts. I tried as many new foods as I could and kept track in my notes. I ate breakfast every single day and was never disappointed with the coffee I drank. I laughed so hard with my fellow Texturans and too many times stayed up way longer than I had planned to. I saw different parts of Guatemala, the innovation and the underprogressed, all equally as beautiful. I said yes as much as I could because I wanted to experience everything in full. I allowed our Guatemalan partners to impact my life and they truly left a lasting mark on my heart.
I had an idea about LatinX culture prior to visiting Guatemala. In the summer I had co-workers from Mexico City who embodied the concept of hospitality. As Nataly and I talked with Anita Beteta, a woman who has studied and worked in hospitality in multiple continents, reminded me how much this idea is embedded in tradition and Guatemala’s family-oriented culture. The way that she approached hospitality as a business was exactly the same way I had felt when becoming friends with Majo, Tefi, Maris, Javi, and Nataly. It was the same fuzzy feeling I had when strangers in coffee shops, restaurants, and local parks engaged in conversations. It validated my perspective on the selflessness of Guatemala and I recognized my privilege and all the things I take for granted. Unlike the typical American mindset, the people of Guatemala are diligent workers and generous givers. In fact, Javier Anleu said in last night’s Textura Zoom meeting, “we [Guatemalans] will die working.”
Each day that I walk the colorful streets of Antigua, wake up to the view of Volcán de Agua, or attempt to hold a conversation with a local Guatemalan using my choppy Spanish, I gain a wider perspective of the world around me. Questions I’ve asked myself on this trip include, but are not limited to, how is the Guatemalan lifestyle different from mine in the States? How are they similar? What changes am I inspired to make? What are the things I take for granted on a daily basis? How can I remind myself of this feeling of gratitude six months from now? How can I learn about myself through learning about this culture and show respect to Guatemalans through my actions? I challenge myself to carry this attitude into life back home.