A Glimpse of Zyanya Vargas
Student Trip Blog
Foundations are important in many things. People, community, and for today’s example; buildings. It’s one of the most tricky to replace because one knows if it must be replaced, the entire building must be taken down, and each plank, piece of concrete, and nail, must be replaced in that process of tearing it down.
Today was easily one of the most work heavy days (if not the most work-heavy day of all) within the trip so far. We worked for each hour of CAP Day Two, switching in shifts of four groups of five, throughout the entirety of the six hours which we worked. Our entire delegation alongside some extremely helpful (and thank goodness, open to guiding) locals broke the thin concrete foundation with shovels, pickaxes, and in some cases, hammers, all the while each sweat drenched off duty student was speaking to one another and playing games, while the truly wonderful Leader of the Day Karina refilled water bottles without prompting. While there were some barriers, especially with communication, the group ultimately worked through it flawlessly (with some, admittedly self aimed at the guy who is currently writing this, groaning due to the heat. Don’t bring long-sleeves in humid weather if you plan on writing the entire time. Pro tip!) and without much issue. The only thing which the students had to be constantly reminded of was to not pet the new-born kittens and puppies which spent their time nearby us circling. There is no worse torture than a cute thing coming up to you and being told not to pet it. After an extremely fulfilling time breaking through the foundation, we ended up going to the grocery store and blowing nearly the entirety of our parents allotted money—make sure to check incoming credit card bills! Another pro tip!—with reckless abandon.
Our time back at the villa was wonderful, as despite our peers being utterly exhausted we ended up coming together in order to make some home-made smoothies and loaded french toast, spilling secrets and personal stories all the while. Truly, there are some wonderful cooks in the villa. Maybe my now-spent twenty dollars on chicken breast, flour, and—as of today—a jug of canola oil will contribute to our basically trip long process of planning to make fried chicken sandwiches. Gabriel, please. I’m counting on you. I can’t cook, but I’m making up for it in material wealth. Please don’t leave my twenty dollars in vain. After our chatting and eating, we ended up chatting and eating even more, with a truly delectable meal from our national treasure Miss Margarita (the GOAT). Some people (whose last name may or may not be Ashford) even fell out of their chairs! You didn’t hear it from me though. The leg is only in three pieces, and spilled throughout the girl’s villa.
Overall, our day was one filled with not only productivity, but amazing conversation and bonding, helped along by absolutely wonderful leaders in absence of our GGL’s Brandon and Lizz. The only completely agreed upon complaint in the entire delegation being their extremely felt absence.
Signing off,
Nachita (aka, Karina), and Jaden.
p.s: Both of us miss our partners and loved ones (but for a specific boy among the two of us, girlfriend) dearly, if you can leave a comment, please do so. Oui (in french, because I mean I) am desperate. Emily, this is a cry for help. I see the moths going to the flames and am only reminded of your orange hair. I’m only writing this because Brandon gave me full creative control and I need my voice heard. I WILL NOT BE SILENCED!!! COME HOME!!