Over a year has passed. I am so far away from Detroit Metro now. So far away from my old doubts, struggles of packing my bags, saying goodbye, and for the first time in my life, moving away from everyone and everything that I knew. A year truly brings change. At times I have never felt so far away from home, yet, some old relationships have strengthened. Perhaps the struggle to form new relationships emphasizes the importance and uniqueness of the ones that you already have. With others, they are slowly fading; this is disappointing to say the least. Stateside, where there is some distance between me and ‘los del Norte’ I have still felt the changes: deaths, marriages, a falling economy and the frustration caused by having to attempt to explain it all to a young guy who has not been around to see the actual effects. I feel the same way… so much happens here, even when life does not seem to move, but my words don’t serve it justice. It is hard to be stuck between not exactly knowing what is going on stateside and not exactly knowing how to explain everything that happens where I live now. A place I literally call home. With your eyes closed, you wouldn’t recognize me; I listen to different music, speak a different language and without a doubt smell a lot worse (that damn tropical climate).
I don’t want you to confuse what I am saying. This is not a sad entry, just a weird reflection that I find myself writing.
I haven’t drove my beat up, rusted, 91 purple Ford Ranger in 13 months people. What the heck is up with that?!?! I mean, since senior year at Salem High I depended on that thing to help me pick up chicks (and it worked… girls love that thing). I suppose the crazy thing is that in a few years I will be saying “I haven’t road in a chicken bus in a year” or “I haven’t lived on a volcano in a year” or “I haven’t had a combo of amoebas and parasites in months”. The way that people here ask me about my past but never quite understand it, that is how it will be in a little over a year when I land in Michigan again, probably just as weirded out as when I landed in El Salvador, haha.
Current Jimbo Stats:
1) Have not gained weight, but all muscle has turned into tortilla gut… sad, yet funny. Don’t worry – I will get my gym on post-Peace Corps. At least I know that Dave Hannon (friend from the MI and fellow Peace Corps Volunteer) will be hitting the weights… kid is in LOVE with his calf’s.
2) Best friend (that normally hangs out with) – 5 year old named Alexi.
3) Book currently reading: Fidel Castro Biografía a dos voces por Ignacio Ramonet.
4) Music: Mana, Mariposa Traicionera (don’t worry still love me a little John Mayer).
5) Favorite thing to do in site: Hang with two buddies in site, older dudes, and talk politics… It is insane the things that you can learn in the middle of nowhere on a volcano.
6) Coolest thing I have recently done: I am learning to work as an albanil or a mason.
I would love to get some updates like this from all of you... a year flew right by, let´s make sure number 2 doesn´t slip past us without catching up!
with love,
Jimbo
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
L-O-V-E this entry son. You are maturing very nicely. Excellent refelctions. We cling on every word. Hope you get some updates back from friends up North here. We will write again soon.
Love
mom and dad
p.s. The purple truck says hi...
My dear Jimbo! To say you and Dave aren't thought of frequently is an understatement! I really miss my boys and the gatherings around the kitchen table. It is hard to believe a year for you and almost two for Dave have gone by. It just makes me sooo much older!!! Baby Teagan is growing quickly and Uncle Matt is so proud! Ben is out on another adventure hiking through desert with Paul and coming face to face with rattlesnakes! Your thoughts and reflections are quite amazing and I do think a different person will sit around my table, but he will be a man now! You are amazing and we are very proud of you. Much love! :-)
June 7, 2009 5:56 PM
Post a Comment