Building Relationships

Yesterday we had the privilege of sharing a few hours of our day with an amazing couple who drove from Canada down through Central America, with a personal mission focusing on research and relationship building within the non-profit sector. Lara and Taco were both formally involved in the computer programming sector and had donated to Enlace Quiche through Global Giving. We were the fourth non-profit they had visited along their journey and it was so great having a day to talk with such like-minded people. We felt slightly bad because throughout the day it consisted of them asking a lot of questions and us provided a lot of answers and stories, however I think this was what they wanted to hear, the story of real people, working in country and how things were going. We were excited to share our stories of the website Toby is making to draw in new volunteers or the global internship program Brittany is creating through the Oregon University System and other NW universities. After some talking at work, Lara and Taco invited us to go to dinner with them, however we had to pick the spot because they obviously hadn't been here before. Heading in the rain over to the town steakhouse we had an excellent meal with Toby ordering the fish platter while everyone else had the vegetarian platter. The food was excellent, that being said however, the conversation was even better. The four of us swapped stories of our travels, crazy adventures in chicken buses, and about working and visiting here in Guatemala. We also absorbed information about some spots we have to visit here in the country and how to sneak into Tikal early in the morning when all the animals are out. It has been awhile since we have had the chance to socialize, let alone with some amazingly down-to-earth and driven-to-help people. Lara and Taco are even going to try to bring us a few boxes of books next time they drive down to help with the library we are creating. Take a look at their blog if you get a chance: http://shatterthefog.blogspot.com/

As we travel the country and soon other countries as well, I think the one thing that is clear to us is that traveling and life in general is not what you do or see, but rather who you meet along the way. It is the relationships and memories that we can take with us wherever we go and no matter what happens they can never be taken away.