March 28, 2008

Today has been the best day of the trip. This morning we went and saw the water system that is being implemented to help save the Barrackas de San Antone. With all the economic change that has occurred throughout the years, there has been so much damage to the water out here. Citizens of Cuernevaca have been using the river out here to dump waste and sewage. Predominantly, it has been the wealthy people who absent mindedly do it. A lot of the poor people who live by the river (because it stinks, and is dirty) have to suffer the consequences of what the rich people on the hill do. What I saw today angered me and made me feel sad. I hate how the rich exploit the poor. I hated seeing and smelling that water and thinking about all the children who have to grow up living by it. There have been reports of disease and illness of those who must live their lives near the river. There is also a big social stigma placed on those who “must live in sh**.” I don’t understand why people are forced to through their waste into a river! This government infuriates me. I hated not seeing a fish or turtle or plant in the water. Only garbage and brown, mucky, water. There were no children playing near it, no women cleaning clothes, no men fishing. It frightened me a little bit how such an important natural resource has been damaged extensively to the point that it would take years to undo the damage that has been done. What is even more depressing is that the rivers were once pristine and full of life. Marisella was telling us that when she was a child, she used to in the river and it was safe and refreshing. That is so upsetting to me. Right now, I am sitting in bed at the “casa de bonita” of Guadalupe the hostess of our home stay. We got to Huitzelac as about 3:30 today. This is a small rural town that is 20 or so miles from Cuernevacca and is quietly nestled in the mountains. I was so delighted to meet Lupe and she is truly an angelita. Her spirit is warm and kind, and I am amazed by her. I feel like there is so much she could teach me. She is 77 and she is very healthy. She walks everywhere she goes. She is probably healthier then me. She is quite the cook and hostess. I felt a connection to her from the moment that I saw her and I am grateful to be here. I trust here completely. Listening to the stories about immigration to the United States has been informative and sad. Something must be done and closing the borders is not it! We are America and we have the potential as well as the means and capabilities to assist. Besides, we need each other. I am going to see if I can do anything to help. I love this country and these beautiful, wonderful, people. They are so rich in other ways that we couldn’t believe or come close to understanding! We Americans can be so arrogant and ignorant at times. Why don’t we appreciate what we have like these people do? Why are we constantly needing and wanting more? Why do we ingest harmful things into our bodies? Have we become the epitome of gluttony? Disgusting! Why are so quick to judge others and only look out for ourselves? Why does everything have to be so damn competitive? I have known Lupe for six hours and all ready she has changed me! She has made me want to become a better person. The language barrier has been tough and I am doing everything I can to try to communicate with her. I have a whole new appreciation and understanding for what Spanish speakers who come to the U.S. and don’t know English must deal with. I am feeling inspired to help.