Newfound lessons in relationship

One thing in my life that I cherish is relationships. I have been reminded of relationships while in Argentina because I am meeting so many people that I do not know how I am going to keep in touch with all of them. I get their contact information in hopes that I will see them soon in South America, in the place I am visiting, or in the case they decide to visit sweet home Alabama. There are some unique occurrences. I thought that if I came halfway across the world I would meet people far different than Americans, and I am in fact meeting people far different than Americans. But I am also meeting many people who have the same mentality, beliefs, and even human behaviors. Maybe I was ignorant in such an expectation. I guess we are all human, and in some regards, that is something we all have in common that will never change no matter how much we encounter different things all over the world.

I was walking down what I would consider the equivalent of Broadway in New York City here in Buenos Aires; well, at least they have four or five huge theaters with play signs almost identical to that of Broadway. I think it would be incredible to go see such a play, but then again I can only do so much while I am here in South America. When I travel, I sleep well, but I also become easily exhausted because I do so much in terms of seeing sites and adjusting to different cultures. While it is so much fun, it is also very exhausting. I saw many plays that were advertised, including Phantom of the Opera, but I have also seen some drama I did not expect to witness and literally be a personal part of. Sometimes I feel that people are susceptible to becoming romantically involved when they are abroad. This includes myself since I am a hopeless and perhaps overly romantic person myself. I have often been compared to the likes of Benjamin Button (in his youthful backward days) and Austin Powers (when he had nice-looking teeth). While we are abroad, we are no longer in the role of the norm. We are no longer in the norm of our routine world. We are in a type of fantasy-world….a vacation of sorts that makes us forget about home, but as the movie quotes, “home is where the heart is.” Some of us are meant to work abroad. Some of us are meant to stay home. I am not claiming to be either because quite frankly do not know where God will have me when I finish at Auburn University. I am just saying it is so easy to get caught up in this international warp because you temporarily forget duties or things back home. Now the place you visit may become your new home. I don’t know. It is kind of like How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Stella got her groove back after she meant an international man of mystery from Jamaica. Things don’t automatically become magical and amazing because you are volunteering abroad. Life is still life, and reality is still reality.

Please do not misinterpret my ramblings, assuming I am not grateful for being able to travel. After this trip, I will have seen more of the world than many Americans back in the States, and so I am very fortunate. When I got back from Europe last year, I was almost disappointed by being back home because I was not country hopping, drinking excellent beer, and having new adventures. I returned to school to sit in a boring old classroom to “communicate” better. I am thankful to be at Auburn, but at the same time, I wanted to stay abroad. Who wouldn’t want to be abroad when you can hear incredible Jazz music in the old dive clubs of Rome or hang out with an old friend in a hostel he helped start and build from the ground up? I mean….go to school or hop around the world? That is an easy choice for me, but the option to do so should not be easily taken for granted or forgotten.

This trip has new meaning because God has been showing me new ways of life through new relationships, and I am here with a mission. I am on a mission to help other people in whatever ways possible. I have found that many people are doing the same in this city and legendary place known as Buenos Aires. If you listen to the clip below, you will know and begin to understand just what I mean in the words that I say.

NEW FRIENDS AND GOOD TIMES