Tu Hablas Espanol?

Many locals in Guatemala don't ask me if I speak Spanish rather they just start speaking and I respond. Of course, many think that I am from a Spanish speaking country and usually I don't contradict this by saying, "I speak English" rather I just go with it and see how far my Spanish will take me.  This is a great language learning method as you are encouraged to practice the language.

 While my Spanish has it's good days and bad, a majority of locals tell me my Spanish is good.  Each and every time I smile at them and say, "Thank You" along with a question mark. While my Spanish is pretty good, I believe they comment on it being good because the ease of the conversation. With locals, I can talk and talk and talk. I just feel so comfortable and I am connected with their expressions, gestures, and specific pronunciation of specific phrases and words.  This may possibly make me sound better than I actually am, but I do appreciate the positive feedback.  

When compared to the Spanish expat experts at work, I would not say I'm quite up to their fluent level.  My Spanish seems to get scared in front of them rather than rise to the challenge.  While I do have conversations with them, they are usually in English and again I speak with the teachers and local staff in Spanish-more comfortable.  With locals outside, I can just be myself and act funny occasionally mess up a tense and they don't have a care in the world about it. If I do this with an expat, I will feel self-conscious about it and try to correct myself.    

While I talk positively about the locals, there are a few who look at me with a big question mark. For instance, One day I was having a conversation in Spanish for about 5 minutes with the guy working in security near the bank.  We were talking about the ATMs and how some only accept Visa and I need to go to another ATM at the end of the mall.  He was nice and seemed like he understood my Spanish as he was responding to my questions, but he clearly needed additional clarity as he said at the end, 

 "Do you speak Spanish?" What language was I just speaking? It definitely was not English.  Sometimes it depends on the age or generation of the person you are talking with as older people can have more difficulty with things.   There was another bus driver who completely disregarded my Spanish and turned his head in the opposite direction and said, "No Speak English." This is a rare occurrence as people are rarely so rude, but this occurrence was in Guatemala City.     

Oh well, keep speaking, keep practicing and keep shining

PRIS 

The Spoken Word

When it comes down to the spoken and given Word, it may be honestly respected or disrespected completely.  Some cultures, religions, and people are very true to their word where as others are not.

Living in Morocco, it was fascinating to meet some who were 100 percent true and others who were on the opposite end of the spectrum. One word honest and pure and another word lost and dishonest.

Sometimes people speak a dishonest word without any insight or awareness and they keep disrespecting their word with no care in the world. Many were confused and lost souls out of touch with religion and chasing their own word.  It could be a lifetime of chasing for these unfortunate people. It’s a serious problem to hold no value to the word you speak.  The word’s value depreciates overtime and when you lose the value of your word, you lose the meaning to your life.  

Within the Moroccan culture, it is better to present with uncertainty and some possibility rather than just be direct.  I  bring up this culture because I lived in this culture and my behavior was influenced in a negative way by making false promises to human beings.  Human beings rely on my word and they take it to heart.  Of course, this does not apply to all people, some people may not pay close attention to the word, but others will.  And for those people which are affected, your credibility decreases.  They wonder about your word, your delivery, and your genuine character.  When presenting with a friendly character, like myself, a person my hold higher expectations with my word creating a higher need for the delivery.  

While in Morocco, many people are accustomed to those who  respect and disrespect the word and condition themselves to not focus on the real delivery.  There might be a good intention behind the lack of honesty with the word, but in the end result it does not benefit the human being.  When you carry this behavior to other countries that fully respect the word, you lose your credibility.   For example, In Guatemala I catch myself saying, “I will see you tomorrow” or “I will be back” when I am not sure if I will actually be back.  

Being an analyst, I analyze the times that I do this and I remind myself of the word.  While there may be good intention behind making a commitment or promise to another being, it is a disappointing result when you don’t come through.  Some may think nothing of it, but others can be sincerely hurt.  This is a learned cultural behavior that is being passed into new cultures-not great.  The more aware we are of our behavior, the more likely we are to change it.  We get stuck in specific behaviors because we just keep doing them with no specific attention to them. 

In Guatemala, people focus and depend on the interaction.  If you let them down, you will feel it in your heart.  For example, if you go by a fruit stand and say, “Oh you have the best fruit, I will come here every day.” And then you never show up again, the value of your word just went down.  It’s kind of like a stock where your stock depreciates in value.  Your word depreciates and you can spend a lifetime catching up if you follow cultural norms and don't make a change to your behavior. If you see that person again, you may definitely feel some guilt for not staying true to your word and being acting as a hypocrite.  It's not worth it going through life being dishonest and untrue to your word, just keep it as honest as possible and keep moving.
 

A good, honest word will get you everywhere in life and a dishonest one will get you nowhere. PRIS 

Shine Like a Star

When it comes to traveling,, there are different types, but many just group under the same heading, "average." They don't think outside the box or try to explore people and culture until it's raw. They don't ask enough questions or spend enough time getting to know a person.  They don't have a constant curiosity that leads them to unknown places, communities, and hearts. They just travel to "travel" and this is not very exciting and does not contribute much to the country.  It just aids in the financial component to help the economy.  

There are other kinds of travelers that are extra-ordinary travelers who cross boundaries, learn in abundance, explore to the max, and learn from real people in the community.  These people may be seen on travel TV shows or have extensive blogs or websites on their travels.  These people love travel, but they also love to learn from people and  do something special....they entertain.  This seems to be the case for myself and this reality cannot be ignored.  

While my impact on people is genuine, it's also extremely entertaining.  There are locals and tourists both happy and laughing their hearts away.  The joy that I spread with others is natural and through the spirit of my higher power, but it's also just hilarious.  Sometimes people are laughing until they cry or they are falling of their chairs on a bus. It's quite beautiful to create that kind of positive reaction from people. When you have the ability to change someones frown into a smile, to make someone laugh in difficult times, to help a boy learn with a lot of education and a little laughter, to provide inspiration and encouragement to a lost soul-it's never ending beauty that is so rewarding.  With it being personally rewarding, it could be rewarding others through entertainment. 

While my best friend and I discuss having our own travel reality show, it is something that has become so clear on this trip.  The ability to touch, inspire, relieve, empower, assist, pray, give hope, and lend a helping hand - it is something that is life changing.  There are moments that cannot always be described and to videotape it may provide entertainment, but also clarity and entertainment. 

It's controversial and something I think about whether recording it is beneficial to communities? Would certain cultures be against it?

There are all of the negative points, but there are many travel shows that do break boundaries and go out of the box and into a completely different travel world-that could possibly be me. 

 It truly feels like it could be or it at least feels like I can take my identity within these communities to new levels.  It's easy to be called just an "average traveler", but I know my worth and so does my higher power. He creates all of these interactions, meetings, moments, and times them accordingly.

Things happen for a reason and when the end of the day hits so does clarity.  For example, I missed my bus so I could sit with the lady with 5 kids and talk to her about how to better cope with her life challenges. It all comes together and within me there is a shining star. It's shining bright from above and it allows me to challenge people in a whole new way and in a way that it genuine, creative, and innovative.  

Think outside the box and travel like a shining star making the world a bit brighter each and every time....

PRIS 

Electronic Overload

Just yesterday in the local cafe, I saw an American guy about 24 and he was sitting with his Mac Book, his Ipad, Iphone, and an professional Canon camera. I sat and looked at him and shook my head thinking, "Really?  We are in a developing country and you have thousands of dollars of electronics sitting in front of you. It is just mind boggling to me to think that people have little awareness into their physical location and how they impact others.  Of course, these are his personal items that he is allowed to carry, but he is in a local cafe in Guatemala not in a 5 star hotel in Switzerland. 

One has to access their environment before exposing all these electronics to the world.  In posh cities like New York, Miami, LA-flashing all these electronics looks cool, but in a developing country you are just making local's mouths drool. They would love to have all those electronics and they may just have one or two of those items.   Although, if they do it took them time to save up and buy them.  People with Iphones have to work for them and they hold such high value to their phone because if it ever disappears , they are back to their $20 Samsung.  

Many times, I observe the expression of people who are staring intently at an electronic.  When I see this face, it just confirms my theory and at the same time it makes me feel bad.  Many believe that having this electronic will take them to a different status, but in reality it just depreciates ones real value.  A person is just fine with their interpersonal interaction and they do not need this item to boost their self worth.  It is a false belief and that is what makes it the most sad is those who believe it will change them or make them a better person.  It's just a materialistic thing and it serves a purpose. There are so man amazing electronics for travel, but when do we decide enough is enough?

As for myself, on my last trip, I had a cheap camera, mini laptop, and an Ipod shuffle.  This trip, I have a mini laptop, an Iphone, and a cheap camera.  It was something I debated frequently before leaving whether I should bring an expensive camera or a nice video camera.  I received a nice gift of a brand new professional Canon, but I just couldn't take it because the thought of it being damaged, but mainly it would be an "electronic overload." To bring a cheap camera, a good camera, an Iphone, and a computer. There is not a true necessity for each one of these items and in reality just one would suffice for the whole trip.  While one of the main purposes of this trip was to record my travels and interactions with people, it clearly became less important with this trip. The blessed interaction is present and that cannot be denied.  The video camera would assist at confirming this connection and skill, but it's saved  for another trip.  

As far as this traveling generation, it just seems like a big "electronic overload" to me.  With the kindles, the Iphones, the Ipads, the cameras, the underwater cameras, the action recorders, and the computers. It's just too much technology for an average human being to have to take in.  How can a local person even comprehend having all this when they have to work 2 jobs just to support their family?  While these electronics are advertised and becoming popular in developing countries, we are communicating to people that they are important to have when health, education, proper nutrition, and good interpersonal relationships are more important.  They are not important rather the human being is important. One  may think, "Well that is easy for you to say when you have an  Iphone and a computer." The ability to detach from these materialistic items is what is truly important for growth. 

 For me, it's not about the electronic rather it's about the interaction.  Of course not everyone is an extrovert and wants to go sit and talk to locals all day, but putting in more effort with locals and less effort into technology can make a difference.   That tourist sitting  with their 5 electronics should be out having a real conversation with a local.  Many tourists sit all day with their electronics without spending one minute with a local.  It's the nature of tourism and electronic obsession does not help the matter.  

Get out of the Apple world and into people world!

Bright Colors Spreading Love

Many Latin American countries love COLOR! Not just any color rather they love BRIGHT COLOR and Guatemala is one of these countries. When they create, they use a wide range of colors, but many are bright shades of pink, purple, orange, yellow, green, etc.  They weave different colors together in threes and often I sit on the street just watching them with admiration-a bit like a proud mother.  It's one of the most beautiful sights watching someone engage in their craft.  

It's interesting that these women choose such similar yet different patterns for items.  One bag may have one pattern of stripes and the top may have a flowers and a new pattern.  I always wonder how they choose their specific patterns for quilts, bags, clothes, shoes, etc.  

The color choice always seems to be bright giving a sense of joy in the item.  It's a nice feeling to have something colorful and I believe colors contribute towards our mood state.  Those who wear color have a tendency to be happier and brighter people-people whose spirit just shines a bit more.  

Colors can positively impact our mood without us even being conscious of the meaning or impact. We can choose certain colors based on our mood and many of those in a Spanish culture like bright colors due to their internal happiness.  This would be from my experience and the many people I have met and know from Central and South American.  

Here are some examples of the beautiful work: 

Autos y Ojos

Sometimes I get lost just staring out the window and thinking different things about people, life, the world, and everything underneath the sun. There is such beauty and I never get bored with it rather it always gives some additional meaning to the moments I share with the world. Whether its a man planting some corn, street vendors selling fruit, a woman carrying her baby on ber back, a sunrise, or a sky full of stars. There is always something to be seen, to be analyzed, to be curious about, to question, and to believe in. 

Always keep your eyes wide open and your mind curious. PRIS

Some Tourists.....

SOME PEOPLE TRAVEL WITH NO TRUE AWARENESS INTO WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND THEM.
 

They are completely in their own world and its present in their attitude, actions, and overall behavior and mannerisms.  They present with an aloof personality and a tight knit security to their friends.  They hold onto each other rather than exploring the culture in front of them.  They never really go against the standard tourist traps and they stick with what is comfortable.  To sit down and have a real conversation with a local is not very common unless forced under a tour with a local or a meeting with a local for something needed in return.  It is about what the tourist needs rather than what is needed toward the culture. 

Open up your Eyes Tourists to the Beauty in Front of You....PRIS