This was a guest-post on FamilyTrek.com back in September 2012. I recently found a blog post of mine that provided a link, but the link no longer worked. I dug up the original article, and decided to copy it here, for posterity! 🙂 Without further ado:
Why do I love Central America?
Oh gee…where to begin!?
The first thing that pops into my mind is a song the nuns sing in Sound of Music (sorry–I’ve been in Austria, lately!). They’re describing wild, energetic Maria…but they may as well be expressing my feelings on Central America:
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Maria [Central America] ?
How do you catch a moonbeam in your hands?
How do you put into words something that isn’t tangible, and easy to pinpoint with exactness? How do you express a feeling?
But…I have to try. So, here is my little list about some of the reasons I love Central America, and why it holds a big part of my heart!
I love the colors of Central America
Let’s face it–the colors of Central America are blindingly beautiful. I mean, REALLY beautiful! Can I underline that and bold it a few more times? Guatemala is a rainbow of colors that excites the senses. You can’t stop pulling your jaw off the ground! The houses, the fabrics, the fruits, the mountains, etc…
I love the personality of Central Americans
Central Americans are some of the kindest, most humble people I have met. They are sweet, genuine, and they love to laugh. Latin Americans know how to party, and they’re not going to push you out their door and tell you its time for them to go to bed. Oh, no…certainly not! As long as you are happily their guest, they are happily your host. They give and give when they sometimes have so little.
I love the focus of family in Central America
Family comes first. Always. Someone loses a job?–they turn to their family. Someone is aging and needs looked after?–they turn to their family. The family is the unit that holds Central America together. As a traveling family, I’ve always felt that we have had extra eyes watching over us–because Central Americans respect families with children and they give attention and affection towards the children (none of this “seen, but not heard” nonsense). Yup, they still know what makes the world go ’round 🙂
I love the work ethic of Central Americans
They are HARD workers. Living lives so unlike Americans, a large majority of the population does hard physical labor every day of their lives–washing laundry by hand, hauling water in buckets, building homes from brick, collecting firewood, etc. If they need to feed their family, they do not sit back and wait for some government assistance. They get to work! They bear their burdens with a smile on their face–performing the same tasks day after day–satisfied and appreciative of the life that they have.
I love the simplicity of Central America
In Central America there is no preoccupation with keeping up with the Joneses. In fact, I think perhaps it’s the opposite? “Oh, you bought a new water heater? Well…look how I fixed up our old one so I didn’t have to buy a new one!” There is pride in resourcefulness and frugality–a trait I feel we have sadly lost in the US. Everything is reused and recycled–why buy new, when you can make it work?
I love the history and architecture of Central America
Central America is sadly under-appreciated as a travel destination. Within its borders, you will be exposed to immense amounts of history and intrigue, not to mention ancient and colonial architecture! Central Americans are eager to share their cultural heritage with foreigners who appreciate it with sincerity.
Most of all, I love the adventure of Central America
There’s something about Central American (and Latin America in general) that just makes me feel alive. Sure, it doesn’t always come with the conveniences of a perfectly clean hotel room, convenient Wifi, easy transportation, predictable restaurants, or an English language base to make traveling super easy or efficient.
But it IS worth it… soooooooooo worth it!
Alisa and her husband are digital nomads, living a life of travel and exploration with their three young children in tow. After living in and exploring Mexico extensively for two years (delving further south into Guatemala and Belize, as well), they are off to some new adventures that include Europe and Thailand. They are happily building a lifestyle that is outside of the box, and perfectly catered to their family. You can follow their adventures at www.livingoutsideofthebox.com
