I am still living on the high of visiting my Central American friends. I felt it before and just can't believe the love they share. I have maybe spent a collective 12 hours with some of them and they welcomed me back like family. Giving me warm hugs and shedding a few tears at the surprise of seeing each other again. I wish I had words to describe the love.
I met a few new friends while I was at the conference. In the few days since I returned, I have received emails letting me know how welcome back I am. Emails that say, 'If you ever find yourself back in Central America, feel free to give me a call for a ride from the airport, a place to stay, or a meal to share.' At one point, a person I met once seven years ago for a brief moment, and had just another brief chat while waiting for a Gallo said, 'If you ever come back, you have a place to stay.' What is absolutely insane to me is that it is 100% genuine. I have no doubt I could call on any of them for a fun evening of friendship anytime I'm back in their respective cities. I don't know if you could ever find such a consistent sentiment from an entire group of people.
To be absolutely honest, it took me a beat to even be able to be receptive to the warmth. The first day I arrived in Guatemala City, after a long day of travel, we were going to dinner with some of my friend Paul's coworkers who lived in Guatemala City. Hangry and tired, I just wanted them to pick a place for dinner. They offered many suggestions. I was happy with anything that would be quick, forgetting that to love Central America is to be patient with Central America. Nothing happens on my United States time. Nothing is urgent. Nothing is quick. Nothing is efficient. It takes a minute to get used to. I am not used to being patient. After a bit of time, we decided on, of all places, a Peruvian restaurant. After a bit of food, I remembered time was not in my control. To appreciate Central America is to slow down for Central America. Take it easy. Don't be in a rush. Everything will happen in the time it happens.
Once I had a bit of food in me, I was able to just appreciate my dinner companions. One who lived in Southwest Missouri for five years in the late 80s/early 90s, which turned him into a lifelong Chiefs fan. We bonded over reliving every heartbreaking season since 1992. Who finds themselves in Guatemala talking about Lin Elliot to Mariota's self pass to Dee Ford lining up offsides, and then winning the Super Bowl? Well, somehow I did. And it was incredible.
After dinner, my new companion reminded me of the Central American culture and said, 'We just want to make you happy.' And it's true. Sometimes to a fault. The culture is to please. Being a hardened midwesterner, sometimes that is hard to receive. But it is something I need to remember more.
I could tell more stories about how I got back there, how amazing it was to spend time with my friends, how amazing the town of Antigua is, or how impeccably awesome the conference was planned. However, for now, I will just bask in the joy of spending time with pure friends, real love, and a renewed sense of slowing down. I leave this blog with another wish: I hope with all my being I remember the calm I feel in Central America.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain
