Redwood City Young Dreamers arrive in Guatemala!

A post from Angelina:

A sigh was released when we had been escorted out of the airport. We were greeted by a vivid sign held by lively, enthusiastic Guatemalans. After a 12 hour flight, I could not have been happier to finally have reached our destination. I have dreamt of traveling to various countries as a child, and surely, so have my peers. Though the moment we got a chance to leave the airport, there were only a few things that initially came to my mind (well, at least for me): food, food and FOOD! So as we entered the rather peculiar, yet comfortable bus all we anticipated was to reach home!

However, as we drove past the glaring signs that plastered the facades of Guatemala City, thoughts flustered through mind: I'm so grateful; What am I supposed to do without a cellphone?; What is that stinking smell(especially referring to the smog that polluted the air. Though, after a few minutes, I learned to let myself go and wallow in the distinctness of this lively, bustling city.

Then, after having finished eating espageti y pan made by the infamous, and humble-hearted Dona Estela, I finally had some leisure time. I set aside my red purse that had been exported from airport to airport and helplessly laid down. I couldn't help but scrutinize the every detail of the window panes, the blankets, and the quaint style of my room. I admired the very cultural feel of it, as if I'd traveled 10 years back to a barrio, except not. Although that's what's so great about experiencing something new, because you gain a new perspective-- and along with that refreshed outlook, is a feeling of gratitude and, I don't know, perhaps tranquility. Yes, that's it. I guess in our "outside lives" (per se) we tend to lose ourselves in the chaos of our own world.

Day 2. Vuelta Grande. We spent only a few hours at Vuelta Grande today, sketching out murals and playing with the obedient, yet charismatic children. We were there to repaint and beautify the escuela.. but I personally believe that as we help others reconstruct whats it important to them, we unconsciously reconstruct what's important to us.