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May 08, 2007
The Other Libra and the Almost Expired Boyfriend
The goodbyes have started and the first to leave was Rebecca.
When I first arrived here in Mérida and we had our meeting at Elizabeth’s house early one morning, I was put in a bit of an uncomfortable position—I remember sitting in her living room staring at all the other students in my program.
“What am I doing here?” I asked myself. I looked at all of them and realized just how different they all were from me. Where were the students interested in learning about culture? Where were the brilliant thinkers of tomorrow? Could I ever be friends with these people?
Five months later, I realize that perhaps my initial reaction was a bit shallow. While I won’t say that Rebecca nor any of the other students in my group have been my best friends here, I will say that we have shared some great times together.
And I primarily thank Rebecca, the other libra, for being a part of the memories that I have of my group.
We don’t share many common morals or values, we come from totally different parts of the country that operate very differently, and we come from very different types of schools. But out of the differences that have divided us and will continue to divide us, it’s laughter that has drawn us together.
We’ve laughed about her being from Kentucky and about my New York “put on attitude”, about Elizabeth’s wild tales, and about long bus rides to nowhere.
Rebecca has taught me that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover—that sometimes, below the surface, there’s more than what we initially realize about a person.
Everybody has something to offer.
The fact is we see what we want to see, we give and take as we please.
Through the nonchalant, couth, and rebellious attitude of Rebecca, I’ve grown as a person. And so, it was with great respect that I bid her farewell at her despedida on Sunday night.
Ben, Rebecca, and I went together to the Centro to watch a movie in Spanish and to eat for the last time in a loncheria. We spoke generally about our time together here in Mexico, about the things we’ve learned, and about the things we’re going to do when we first get home to the United States…
And we shared many laughs of Daniel, Molly’s Mexican boyfriend that (as Rebecca noted) is “4 days short of expiring”—that is, they’re relationship will be forfeited by the end of the end of the week. Though frank, her words have been truthful and thoughtful.
With un abrazo, I thank you, Rebecca.
Posted by jlsumich at May 8, 2007 11:57 AM