Nobody say it was easy, no one ever said it would be that hard ....
Yes, I know.
I know I promised to write at least on post from each country I was visiting in this round of country visits. But simply has not been posible, and this does not mean that die with all my heart to at some point have the time to sit down, and share with you all these full pages with sleepy handwritting that I have packed with all the wonderful impresions I am getting in this: the most intense AIESEC, PERSONAL as well LATIN AMERICAN experience of my life. I do not even try to start to write a post to talk about each country, cause I simply know time won't be enough to share all my emotions and pictures towards each of them.
I even feel bad to use my so limited time to sit aand write this post, since I know I can use it to answer at least a couple of all emails that are waiting to be answered, but I just feel "unplugging for some minutes". And yes, I miss blogging.
One hour of peace ...
Last monday 14.11 I was in the beach in the Dominican Republic. For one hour. It was simply on the way to the airport, where I was suposed to take my next flight. Flight to the 5th country I am visiting since 01.10, Puerto Rico (where I am right now)
Even if the 2 MC members that were with me most probably did not notice it (we even still had a very considerable amount of the time still talking about AIESEC), this was the first time in my whole visit round that I had time FOR ME, to sit somewhere, and just look at the sea and re-load myself.
For sure was not enough. But was enough to had some reflections that give me the strenght to wake up every day and do my job the best way posible!
Key facts:
1. I have visited 5 countries: Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and if some logistical issues allow me, soon Panama. ANy of them (besides Colombia my home country) I have never been before. Have met over 150 people and get to know about 15 unbelivable life stories.
2. My lap top crashed. Big deal when 1. it is not yours, but AIESEC's and when the main tools to deliver your job are there
3. FEEL EXHAUSTED: of airplanes, of eating fast food 80 % of time, of higher living costs that expected, of some long parties when I just want to sleep, of some long AIESEC talks when I just wanna think in nothing, of inmigration officers not believing it is ME the one of the picture in the passport (yes, the hair style there is quite radical), of inmigration officers not understanding what I will do in each country and looking at me with the "are you a drug dealer?" face, of having HUNDREDS of relevant emails to be answered and not finding time to do so.
4. Lost 3-4 kilos. As if it would be difficult for me :) - even in normal conditions
BUT - despite all the tragic comments made before (understand, it's the so called "directors abroad sydrom") I feel SO BLESSED for what I am living. WHEN WILL I DO THIS AGAIN? When I think of that, is like heaven. I feel happy and satisfied, happy to see teams daring to change attitudes, happy to see people discovering the the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is this little "extra" that is not even difficult to give, happy to have clear that if there is CONTINUITY in place from country but specially AI level in terms of country development, things can change. It is HARD. It is just a start. It is posible though.
Thanks to all of you that are sending me your energies. I feel them.
But more that that, thanks for your tremendous patience, professionally and personally to understand my delays getting in touch with you and well, some of my random reactions. Love you all and look fwd to very soon over a wine, a cup of coffee, and ice-cream and just a walk, share with you all this unique experiences that life is allowing me to have. Thanks AIESEC.
