#6 Tick . . . tock . . .

As usually happens when a profound experience begins to draw to a close, the hour hand swings much faster than it had before, the pillow is reached sooner each day, and the inevitable “I can’t believe it is almost over”, is shared almost unanimously.

As I prepare for my last two days of work, there is a split between reflection and projection. The reflection aspect is predominantly in the form of places visited, memorable conversations with new friends, and various sunrises and swims. The projection part is much less tangible. It is almost more of a curiosity about what assimilation back at my “home” will be like.

I think about hopping into my spacious Subaru to go out to a $50 (if I am lucky) dinner with Ali, rather than trying to squeeze, fold, and wedge myself along with 27 other people into a 12 passenger van for a vastly superior $12 dinner. How weird is it going to be to not have to consult a translation dictionary and spend 10 minutes explaining that we need 8 international stamps in order to mail letters? But mostly, what is it going to be like to be back in a place where the outlook on life, the acceptance of reality, and the ability to be happy at almost insurmountable odds is achieved?

It is third observation that has been stuck in my mind recently.

In all of the encounters that I have had with the women with whom I work, the patients who we serve, and the acquaintances that have been made on the street and around Guatemala, there is a pervasive happiness that is exuded. People walk with their eyes up and smiles and “buenas dias” are shared with almost all. This ranges from the doctor at my clinic to the crooked woman selling plantains on the corner.

It is this that I will miss most. The interaction with people and interest they express is honest and is wonderful. In a very strange way, with all of the language issues that make even the most mundane of conversations a challenge, I actually feel more comfortable and communal walking the streets and markets of Xela after three weeks than I could have ever thought possible. With all of the expectations that I had coming down here, this certainly was not one that was in the crystal ball.

So as the last 72 hours whiz by, there is not much left to do but absorb and enjoy. Hopefully the hour hand will slow its pace just a little.