Living interruptible, a cliché phrase on the race but one to live by non the less.
Yesterday I was writing some post cards in Café Barista by a window with a perfect view of Central park and a GIANT volcano. – Im sorry let me say that again. A giant VOLCANO! I didn’t want it to seem too casual.- The strangest and sometimes most magnificent views and situations can become mundane out here in the daily grind of ever-changing landscapes and cultures. You have to actively stop yourself and say
“open your eyes self! Smile. Laugh. Breath deep and take a mental snap shot. This is once in life time stuff here.”
Anyways there I was writing my post card when one little face pops up in my open window followed by another half a face. The taller of the two begins to ask for 1Q (essentially one Guatemalan dollar) he spoke fast so I didn’t understand him. Eventually I caught on and responded “ Lo siento no dinero.”
They didn’t go any where just hung out right in my widow snickering and telling secrets. I asked them, Christian (13) and Juan (9), a few questions.
“Como estas?”
“Tengo hombre”
“Y tu amigo?”
“si”
……….
“gustamous hamburgesa?”
“SI SI”
Just like that we were walking down the street to a little hamburger joint talking about Barcelona (the futbol team) and siblings. They told me I was beautiful and I told them they were silly. Juan speaks un poco engles, Christian has 9 siblings and doesn’t go to school anymore because he sells things in the park for his family during the day. We chat in broken Spanglish and laugh sometimes only sharing silence and smiles.
We get to the burger place Christian gets bold and asks if he can have nachos instead I say of course Juan gets excited and decides to ask for a soda “what kind” I say. My heart exploding with joy to let them get what they want, even if it is my last few dollars.
A chorus of thank yous, a few favorite colors and animals later we are almost back to the park. The conversation turned to who I was with in Guatemala and I responded that I was with “Cincuenta (50) amigos” they laughed at the large number then silence again for a few steps. Christian said “ tienes cincuenta amigos? Tengo un amigo.” As he wrapped is gangly boy arm around his buddy and flashed me a half grin. A few more thank yous and hugs later off through the park they ran to devour their treasure.
That half grin Christian gave me stuck in my mind. He couldn’t fathom a life of 50 friends he only knew his one friend and his one friend was all he needed.
