History has never been my strongest subject. While I could memorize vocabulary words, mathematical equations, or the periodic table, I would always struggle to remember dates of important wars or historical events in great detail. The most informative part of this trip for me was having an opportunity to learn from the individuals who lived through a history and are living a current reality that I would only read about in books or newspapers.
Getting the chance to live with a host a family in Bajo Lempa really made the learning experience come to life. Waking up in the early hours of the morning, I found my host mom, Mabel, already at work cleaning corn to take to the "molina" by 5am before it got too busy. By 7am (the time at which I usually wake up to get ready for work), she had already made fresh tortillas and breakfast for the whole family and was taking care of the baby. We were told that everybody is up by 5:30 at the latest...starting your day after 6am is a sign of wealth.
Laurel, Sheryl, and their host family
In the U.S., we are saturated with tools of convenience. It was humbling to see that all the material things we are told we need, aren't all that necessary. A baby can sleep in a hammock, you can spend an evening playing cards on the floor, and do laundry in a concrete sink. Believe it or not, sleeping without a mattress isn't that bad.
Laundry day
Marina & her host brother
Thank you to the families that opened their doors and their hearts and welcomed us with open arms!
~ Marina
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