The Little Things

It has now been nearly four months since my arrival in Xela. After a weekend free of activities and commitments, I had time to reflect on the little things.

Walking: I really enjoy walking in the sunshine. Both Saturday and Sunday mornings were beautiful. Without anywhere to be, I walked without a backpack in a tshirt (it was warm) and enjoyed the sites of Xela. I got a coffee, ran into Rachel, and we wandered through the street fair celebrating the birthday of the Virgin Rosario (Virgin Mary).

Coffee: I drink easily three cups of coffee a day: one with breakfast and one with dinner and usually one in the afternoon at a coffee shop. I thought I had a coffee addiction before I came here – woah! The coffee at my house is super diluted and usually just flavored warm water but there is good black coffee and iced lattes around town. The baristas recognize me and one of them knows my name.

Clean sheets: Every Saturday without fail my sheets and comforter are changed. The two wool blankets between the sheets and comforter remain the same. I left the house for less than an hour Saturday morning and returned to find my bed changed and my computer and papers returned to the same position on top of the bed.

Power outages: Sunday night around 8pm the power went out. I had my flashlight handy and helped Patty find the candles in the store. Without a few minutes, the house was illuminated with the flicker of candlelight. Rain and cold usually results in a periodic power outages but it is no surprise to anyone – not even me anymore. I was ready to settle into bed for an early night and the power came back.

Reading: In the States, the only time I have to read is on airplanes and vacations. Without internet at home or movies to watch on my computer (there is TV but I choose not to watch it), I have found myself with lots of free time before bed. I have read Enrique’s Journey (a true immigration story), Mountains Beyond Mountains (highly recommend for anyone interested in public or international health), and Water for Elephants (a fast read). I am currently reading La Alquimista (yes, The Alchemist, in Spanish) and My Life in a Harem (about a modern call girl who finds herself part of an prince’s harem).

Laundry: A family who lives around the corner from me does my laundry about every week. There store is called Las Burbujas (the bubbles), which is comprised of two washing machines and two dryers. They wash and dry everything and fold it. The feeling of warm clothing on a cold night is wonderous. Occasionally I run into family members around town and it brings a smile to my face. Their two-year-old son always wants to run out and play. The family knows each of us and asks about our trips.

Xela: I feel at home here. Whenever we leave, it is always nice to come back to Xela. I know what to expect, where to go for whatever I need, and the customs of the people here. I recognize people and run into friends, teachers, and common faces all the time. It will be very strange to leave for good. The lush green mountains surrounding the city are beautiful and glisten against the blue sky when the sun is out. At night, you can see the twinkle of lights on the hillsides. When we run around the streets, I know where to go and enjoy passing familiar sights. Xela will always hold a special place in my heart.