Well, we are back at the airport. I am not sure I really want to be here, but here I am. Last night, I laughed harder than I have in a long time. We ended up staying awak until around 3 AM just telling stories and laughing. It was all in my room, so it was good that we were able to get together one last time before we flew back.
This morning we got up and basically started getting ready. The water pressure felt like it was drizzling, so it was an interesting experience. I had my last taste of Central American food, a tortilla with queso and frijoles. Once the bus was loaded, we started on our way. It was nice to ride through Managua one last time. The buildings are all so colorful. The one thing that I always found was there was garbage everywhere. It is such a beautiful country, but I just see or smell garbage all the time. I guess with all of the major problems in the country, going Green isn't very high on the list.
At the airport, we said goodbye to Marta, Sergio, Oscar and the other bus driver.
Oscar is such an amazing person, I feel very fortunate to have met him. I really hope I get to see him again. I know that I want to, so it will happen.
Now we are just waiting for our flight, which is about 30 mins late. Then 2 and a half hours to Miami, and the customs fun begins. I think I am pretty secure so its just a matter of waiting in line. Customs is not fun, especially with a lot of people in a group.
I think I realized why I really connected with Gabby and Brandon. It was something that Kelsey said during the last processing session. The babies represent hope. They are just going through doing what they know how to do best. They run, they play, they argue. The only difference is the language. I just want them to have the opportunities that all children should have. Its really sad that at this point in their lives, I don't know what they have seen and what they have not. They may never seen an area outside of Leon. They may never try different types of food. They may never escape and make their lives better. We can come down, and help as much as we want, but its hard to tell if the kids we are helping will ever actually escape. I would be interested to see where the kids that were at the first school 5 years ago are at now. Have they moved on, are they doing good with their lives, are they even still alive? Its a very scary thought to think about Lester and what is going to happen to him next year.
I think that is why I am having so much trouble. I am leaving, but they are not. Why am I so much better simply because I was born in the USA? I guess this is the first world guilt they had talked about. I don't know if I can face the people that just won't understand. They won't see what I have seen, not known what I have felt. I have this amazing experience and I can only think of a handful of people that would actually get it.
I guess we will see in time. Hopefully I will be proven wrong, I guess it all boils down to hope. Hope is what keeps everyone from tears. A hope that what we are doing is going to change the world. Hope does not have a language.
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