Sunday, April 14, 2013

Thoughts from Oaxaca: Our Final Blog

Currently, I am sitting here in one of my favorite cafes in Oaxaca, reflecting on my study abroad experience. Oaxaca has been a place of personal growth for me, and while I have conflicting views about leaving, I know that I will bring what I have learned here back to Vermont with me. Oaxaca will always be here, and I look forward to reminiscing about these past fourteen weeks while planning to return someday.  CH
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Reed's Haiku
Al pastor... carne?
Necesitas tlayuda?
Sugar pan. Hay más?
RH
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See you Later Oaxaca
As I sit in my quiet house in Vermont, I still do not know how to feel. These past few months have been like a whorl wind and I feel like I just got placed back where I began, but with much more knowledge. I still can't help but question drinking the water from the faucet or not shutting off the shower in between soaping. I definitely am not the same person I was when I left.
Although I still am not sure how I feel about being home, I do know that I had an incredible three and a half months in Mexico. I learned so much, made so many friends, and saw some truly incredible places. I will never forget my time there and never cease to look back on it with a smile. 
I was warned by many that when I got back home, describing my experience to people would be one of the most difficult challenges I would face; and that has proven true. I still don't know what to say to people when they ask me about it. What did you eat? Where did you go? What were the people like? What did you do there? Uhhhh...that's always the first thing that comes to mind. It's just so hard to pick out a few things over a three-month period to share with someone. It's hard to describe my experience without being able to show them. However, I will continue to try my best.
I want to thank Mary Lucia, Amber, and Carey for all your help. You three are truly amazing people and were always there when we needed any sort of help. Mary Lucia, you really were like a mom and I really appreciated everything you did for us. I loved that you really allowed us to do things on our own and learn for ourselves. I think it made us all more independent and confident. I feel very honored to have been in your last Oaxaca group and will miss you, but hope to see you around campus. Thanks again for everything.
Oaxaca, I will see you again soon!

Abrazos y besos,
Brittany
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Oaxaca, voy a extrañarte.   Thank you everyone for a wonderful semester! -KM 
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This past semester has been the most incredible time of my life. I will never forget the friends I made and the memories we had together! Hasta luego Oaxaca!

Thanks for everything Mary Lou!! It would never have been the same without you!

Kathleen
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Whatever happened in the last three months, happened. Without fault the events that have come to pass have changed me, for better or for worse, forever.
Caleb Z Demers
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Adrianna and I are sitting in a hostel in Chiapas and I can't keep my mind from wandering back to Oaxaca.  I will take Oaxaca's livelihood and spirit back home with me. I could not have asked for a better group of people to learn and grow with over these past three months. We have been through some crazy adventures together and we truly know each others ins and outs. I will miss all of you, but it is just the beginning.  Tlayudas anyone? 

JP
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I find a little bit of me
in every place I go to see
but this time around
I think I was truly found

To everyone apart I have met and spent time with in Oaxaca
You have made my heart whole.
Oaxaca you will stay in my mind and heart forever
Thank you for all the beautiful times
It's not goodbye. It's see you later. 

AU
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Mexico taught me to live my life al pastor. 
Patrick Carton
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I have finally decided to write down my thoughts and feelings in the final blog. I almost feel like I don't want to face this adjustment, I haven't allowed myself to process through everything that happened in Oaxaca. I think that instead of trying to cover everything that happened, I will share a story.
During the village stay in El Carmen, Josie and I decided to explore a little bit and walk around the small pueblo. On our way back to the group, we heard yelling; as we looked towards the noise we saw a middle-aged woman running through her garden towards the road that we were walking on. With full water bottles in our hands, she persisted that we come into her home and have some flavored water. We followed her through her garden into her small home. Her daughter rushed around to find chairs for us to place on their dirt floor. After we finished our drinks, she then came out with food! She stood there watching us and asked questions as we ate. For me, this experience stood out in my time in Oaxaca. I felt that this was an excellent representation of the majority of the people in Oaxaca. There always seemed to be a present combination of endless time, curiosity as well as generosity.
-TH

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"Whenever I got caught up in stress, I could only conclude with this phrase: '...pero no llegó la sangre al río'. At least the blood hadn't reached the river; how bad could it be when you're spending your time in such a wonderful place? - CW"
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Never in my life have I felt so comfortable out my element. I dared to be late, dared to try street food, and dared to be present. If I learned anything in Mexico, it's that sometimes you just need to "ir con la corriente."

ER 

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Thank you Oaxaca and everyone I was with the past semester for showing me that I can do anything if I am in the right mindset.  I learned more than I ever could have imagined.
-Gabby
 




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