Con gusto

In the Spanish culture, "Con Gusto" means with pleasure.  This is something that is said in replacement of "Your welcome." It just so happened that in Medellin, this kind phrase came my way often.  There was one day specifically where people kept giving me things with a "Con gusto." My buddy around the corner from the hotel gave me a free bunuelo (potato ball).  The front desk gave me a bottle of water when I said I forgot mine upstairs. When I bought one cheap hemp bracelet, the guy gave me a free one.  This was such a strange day of people continuously not accepting money from me. It was like people would not let me pay for anything and when I insisted, they would shake their head.  


While I have to say with humility, it's not something totally uncommon with my nature and spirit.  It happens from time to time, but not back to back like this.  It's not requested rather it's just being thankful for encountering someone nice. It is again this phrase, when you are good to people, they are good to you.  It's the most basic statement, but it holds such truth.  People love someone who is sweet and kind-this is what hits the heart and makes them respond so positively. It starts in the mind to the heart, and to the extension of gratitude for kindness. 


This "Con gusto" is similar to the "Afiet Osen" in Turkish and "Maa Souror" in Arabic. People are expressing their pleasure and happiness with the meeting or transaction. It add an extra element of kindness to the interpersonal interaction. With all cultures-Spanish, Arabic, and Turkish, people are using this expression, "With pleasure" in the same way.  They are thankful that you bought something, they are thankful that you spoke with them, they are thankful that you gave them support or assistance. These people are not just saying it rather they actually mean it. They have a radiant smile and you feel this appreciation and positivity.  The country that says it the best and with most soul is Turkey. I remember working for a summer camp in two different cities and the people would continuously say "Afiet Osen." The beautiful ones of Morocco also have the same feeling going.

Let someone know how thankful you are

Let someone know you recognize their efforts

Let someone know you appreciate their being

Let someone know that you're just like them

Let someone know you respect their culture

 

No Smoking-Gracias

I hardly see anyone smoke in Central America. When I first entered Nicaragua, I saw a young boy who was 17 smoking and I asked him “Why do you smoke?” and commented on that he looks too young to smoke.  Poor kid was just smoking a cigarette and didn’t need to be bothered by me.

It’s not common to see a young child smoking and even see adults smoking. It’s just not a common behavior. People are more likely to be chomping on fruit or just sitting on a corner talking or eating candy.  While I may be painting a perfect picture, it’s just what I observe daily. I would know if I was inhaling smoke off the streets or people in restuarants. 

Maybe people who smoke only go to bars? It’s unknown the exact reason, but it is very much appreciated.  They also don’t see cigarettes on the streets, which they do in Morocco.  They sell them inside stores, but not single cigarettes on the street-this is a wonderful thing. 
 

Apparently, people are living longer here because there are definitely not as many smokers as US.  It’s a great thing to see people taking care of their lungs. 

AC Por Favor

When people say that Leon is one of the hottest cities in Nicaragua, they definitely are not kidding. The city itself is special and charming and something about it just captivates you BUT the heat will knock you down. Being one of those people who prefer heat to cold, I try not to complain. Although, there are just those times when you need AC. 

In Central America, the fan is suppose to do the job, but many times the fan just stops working and you are left super hot. It still runs, but it just becomes ineffective.  The nice housekeeper at my residence gave me an extra fan and that helped, but some nights it was just going to be tossing and turning and cold showers.

One may ask, air conditioning is not available? Yes, air conditioning is available for an extra $20 to $40 per night, which is more than the cost of the private room with bathroom and breakfast. It's kind of defeats the purpose of the budget you set up. 

Most travelers on a mission or longer term trip don't choose the AC and work with the fans. 

Even without the room AC, there are special places that will always have air conditioning. Special VIP places where they sell Fried chicken, French Fries and Coca cola. It was called Tip Top Chicken. 

I'm not sure if their chicken was tip top, but their AC and French fries sure were in great condition haha. I'd come here after long bouts of walking just waiting for that burst of cool. This was the good stuff- cold air fully functioning coming through the events. It felt like an icebox and the people were so kind and welcoming(Expect this common behavior when you go to any fast food restaurant in Central America).Their genuine warmth, respect for their job/others, and their innocence is admirable. We should take notes from them on customer service instead of having training from Becky who has twenty tattoos and a bad attitude. 

On those days where I needed a little cheering up, I would go into see Henry with his white hat and cute red and yellow uniform. I didn't even have to ask for fresh fries because he made them perfectly. Sometimes I got two orders- wow talk about real confession. This is as crazy as it gets for me. 

French fries and I were BFF in Central America mainly Honduras and Nicaragua- Amazing. 

The food is fresh , the people are nice, and they have air con. One would think this is not special because most restaurants, grocery stores, and shops have air con- they do not. Air conditioning is a luxury in an underprivileged country. Thankfully I had Tip Top Chicken- clean and cool with nice people-my two favorites. 

La Paz- Peace

La Paz in Spanish means " peace." What is great about this trip is the amount of peace from strangers. 

In the Middle East, Africa, and Asia- peace is interrupted with....


*Someone thinks you're pretty
*Someone who wants to sell you something,
*Someone who wants to talk because     you're American
*Someone who wants to be annoying,
*Someone who wants your attention
*Someone who thinks they love you
*Someone trying to lead you to accommodation 
*Someone called a "Taxi Driver!"

Perhaps, I am just referring to the high levels of annoyance and No peace in Egypt and Morocco.
Regardless, this post is to give recognition to these peaceful countries: Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua- Belize is not quite at the peaceful level of the other three, but it's pretty good.
  
La Paz, peace, is one of the most beautiful things a traveler could ever be given. The fancy resorts, the expensive food, the big tours-nothing compares to this one word-peace.  

It's significant to mention the fact that I do look Latin American so people may not bother me as much, but I did not see this happening with other tourists nor did I hear any complaints from Anyone. 

Also, people who knew I was American still did not annoy me. They allowed me to have the peace I deserve. What kinds of peace? The physical, mental, and spiritual peace that human beings deserve, especially during travel.    These people were not trying to manipulate you with money(yes few occasions). They did not follow you around when you were shopping. They did not holler at you, make inappropriate gestures, or treat you like a dog.  They don't fall in love in 5 seconds(well most of them;) People are just nice, honest, love to laugh, love to smile, keep you smiling, and they are genuine. They don't sugarcoat themselves. 

It must be said that all these countries are primarily Christian except for Belize(league of it's own).  The Christian religion believes in respect, peace, and love. It's not a culture that supports such negative behaviors in public. 

There could be a whole study done with many different factors, but overall I am just beyond thankful for La Paz. My appreciation overflows from my heart to have these times to ride my bike, sit on the beach quietly, read a book in peace, write in a café day by day, church, and taking a hike. People will engage in conversation, but they know when to stop-this is the crucial part. They know when to give you the peace you deserve. They could keep talking, bothering you, or asking you questions, but they "Stop." They let you have La Paz.
                                  

 Thank you to these beautiful countries for being respectful of your visitors, for being kind, for being patient, for listening, and providing help. This is what makes people visit your country again and this is what makes tourists spread positivity to others. 

AMEN