On a 7 hour train ride from Barcelona to Paris overlooking the southern coast of France I got inspired to write the next short blurb.
My brother Ivan made a comment over a text conversation we had on how cool it is that happy gal and I have friends and family in different cities. I thought for a second and in a way, I am lucky for having such fortune but at the same time cursed because the people I treasure are all over the world. Why do I say this? Well … that’s a long story. I grew up by going to various schools and lived in different cities. I say I’m from Guatemala but I’m also from LA and from the Bay Area. My oldest friends are from middle school (2 of them) and then from my freshman year in college (1). However, they are also far and I see them once a blue moon.
There is no social or physical nucleus compared to when I was 6 years old and lived in Guatemala, where all the people I cared for lived. Now, family and friends are scattered all over the world, literally.
It would be wonderful to see people we care for more often or have them close by. I had not seen my cousin Monchis who now lives in Northern Spain since we were 15 years old. We missed each other’s sad and happy moments in life where we could have made a difference for each other. Monchis is just one example and there are many more cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and plethora of friends that I don’t get to see or talk to often due to distance. It would be fulfilling to have them close by and get to build memories together.
Then again, having friends and family scattered all over the world has allowed me to learn about local cultures, different lifestyles, and re-connect and reminisce about our previous adventures.
In a way, it makes me feel as if I’m a citizen of the world with a nucleus in various cities and people that I care for. Now all I need is an unlimited air pass to go visit all of them! =)