Just a quick note to let you know that Bryan, Jen, Beth and I, as well as the GSE group from Buenos Aires, made it to Boise safely today around 11am. Don is still traveling in Argentina until next Friday. Look forward to a final blog from each of us in the coming week.
For me personally, it has been great to be home. Most importantly, I have already spent some wonderful time with my husband, sister, parents and friends. It has been great to see my dogs and cat and already spend some time in Hyde Park. Work is going to be tough tomorrow.
I love that I can cross Harrison Blvd. on foot with cars slowing down and letting me cross rather than speeding up to intimidate/hit me. I also love that people pick up after their dogs and therefore there is not dog poop on the sidewalks. Additionally, I LOVE and missed so much the fresh air of Boise. Oh and I must mention that I am immensely enjoying conveying complex thoughts such as “can I have a whole wheat tortilla instead of a flour one as well as a side salad with spinach that is not on the menu.” In Argentina, it would more than likely have been, “burrito por favor” even though they did not have burritos.
It is interesting, because after living in Mexico and coming back to the states, I would at times feel embarrassment of being American because of reasons such as many people not knowing more than one language or because of the obesity problem in our country, etc. This time, I feel very proud to be American and recognize that there are both good and bad things about my country. Being away for a month has made me appreciate the good and downplay the bad. I am very privileged to live in this wonderful country and even more privileged to have had the GSE experience in Argentina to help me learn about another wonderful country while augmenting the appreciation of my own.
Ciao,
Alecia
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