Learning, Adapting, and Cooking for Connection

 As I’ve spent more time getting to know the people at the campground, I’ve noticed that some real honesty is finally coming out. One man I’m becoming good friends with has been upfront with me, and I’m grateful for it. It turns out that my rice and beans—something I’ve been cooking for myself and happily sharing—haven’t exactly been a hit. Apparently, my beans are too hard, and while I love the simplicity of rice and beans, they see it differently. To them, it's just another meal they already eat every day. I get it now—the “great white savior” feeding them the same thing they’re used to doesn’t feel special.

That said, I’m still going to keep making my rice and beans for myself. I love it, and it’s a good way to stay grounded and keep things simple for my own meals. But I want to switch things up for the people around me, so I’m diving into some classic American dishes that might offer them something different. I’m thinking of cooking up some mac and cheese, sloppy joes, grilled cheese sandwiches, pancakes, and maybe even a hearty chili. These meals are cheap, filling, and definitely not what they’re used to. Plus, I’ve been thinking about using grains like quinoa, barley, and couscous to keep things interesting.

In other news, I’ve also discovered that my sliding door is loud as hell when I get up in the middle of the night to pee. Apparently, it wakes up the entire campground. So today, I’m tackling that project to bring a little more peace to the nights around here.

This journey has always been about learning and adapting, and I’m grateful for the honesty coming my way. The connections I’m building are real, and that’s what matters most. Onward we go.

Adelante!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Connections and Exciting Collaborations in Antigua

Today, I had the privilege of meeting with the head of the American Legion here in Antigua, and I was truly inspired by the work they’re doing. They’re not only making a real impact by delivering bags of food to remote villages in the mountains, but they’re also building playgrounds to bring joy to local children. I’m honored to have been added to their newsletter and look forward to jumping in and contributing wherever I can. I also crossed paths with Stefan Joyner, a remarkable individual who’s using shipping containers to create innovative structures like hotels and small medical facilities. His company, SteelCraft Guatemala (steelcraftgt.com), is transforming how we think about sustainable building in this region. Stefan and I are already brainstorming ways we can collaborate on future projects, and I’m excited about the potential we have to make an even bigger impact together. Stay tuned for updates as I dive into these amazing opportunities and continue working to uplift the comm...
Read more

Bringing Smiles and Support to Local Communities

The past few days have been incredibly rewarding. To celebrate Día de los Niños, I had the chance to buy 50 soccer balls for the kids at the local school we've been working with. The look on their faces when they received the balls was priceless. Seeing the joy and excitement in their eyes was one of the best feelings I’ve experienced so far on this journey. I’ve also connected with the American Legion chapter here in Antigua. They’re organizing many initiatives to support the local community, and the next one is especially exciting—delivering food and clothing to a village in the mountains. I’m going to be part of this project, and once they see my dedication, they’ll include me in all future efforts. I’m really looking forward to the impact we can make together. In addition to the hands-on work, we've launched several Google Campaigns to help raise U.S. dollars for Guatemala. Fundraising has been slow, but I'm learning more about leveraging social media, and we’re buildin...
Read more

Exploring the Coast: El Paredón

I’ve started looking for a more permanent place to stay so I can bring my kids to visit, and it’s important for me to be able to run and swim every morning. Naturally, the coast is calling my name—I love the ocean and beaches, so it makes sense. I decided to begin with the nearest spot, El Paredón, which people here in Antigua rave about, especially for surfing. Learning to surf has been on my list, so I figured it was a perfect match. The journey started with a chicken bus from Antigua to Escuintla, which set me back $20. From Escuintla, I caught a van to Puerto San José for another $20, and the final leg was a bumpy tuc tuc ride—a motorcycle rickshaw that felt more like an amusement park ride than a taxi—that cost $150. The ride was crazy, and I’ve got some videos to upload that capture just how wild it was.  Luckily after speaking with some locals I found a bus that went directly to Antigua with AC for $110. Once I arrived, I stayed with a local woman whose beach house I’d heard...
Read more