Ok where do I start with this one? I just came back from a supper and feel a little embarrassed but before I get into it I need to back up. After San Pedro (a little more on this to come at a later time) I returned to Antigua and was there to catch a bus to La Ceiba and then onto Utila Island. I woke up at 3:15 am (suddenly you guys are not jealous of travelling are you) and I was catching my shuttle to Honduras at 4:00 am. It was a 6 hour ride to Copan Ruinas where I had 4 hours to kill until my next bus to La Ceiba. I bought 3 of the most delicious mangos for fifty cents a piece I then waited longer and longer for the next bus….I was supposed to be catching a very high end and nice luxury bus but alas someone led me astray and I got stuck on an old shitty greyhound where I thought I was going to be stabbed….one thought occurring through my head was I wonder if this is how white people die in foreign countries? Finally at 10:00 pm I arrived at my destination and a hotel was literally right there I checked in and thought to myself I hope I don’t get robbed and stabbed tonight…...honestly there was no chance of that seriously it was safe just a little overly cautious. There are police and military all over (some police being tourist police literally!) they are all there to protect the tourists.
I went to bed and woke up several hours later refreshed and was on my way to catch a ferry to Utila Island. I spent sometime hanging out and having a few beers, having a siesta and then went to supper….this is where things get a little sad, disturbing and breaks your heart a little. I have seen it before and will see it again and I have been told you never want to be that guy - old fat North Americans with (local foreign ie Thai, Guatemalan) women young enough to be your daughter. As I was sitting there it is possible he married her as it looked like they had a kid together and he seemed to know everyone but it still disgusts me to see this kind of sugar daddy or sugar momma arrangement. When the server came up to me in plain English with a plain English menu I suddenly felt embarrassed for every traveller who doesn't know the language, try the language or care about the culture and it also made me realize what is wrong with parts of the world.
Many people come to North America, Australia, Europe etc in search of a change yet they want elements of their world to be in our country…...before I go off into some tangent it made me realize I need to do my part as a traveller to better get into the countries culture that I am visiting. I knew my perspective of things would change for the better and they already are that is what happens when you travel and learn. Am I sad, depressed or mad at the things I saw….no I am not it is just the realization that I need to find out how each and everyday I could make a change for the better to this world not just for my own selfish needs.
With that it is late and I want a drink so please when you read this ask yourself this....what did I do today and what will I do later today to help someone out or to do something that is right?
We all have the ability to do something right.
Tuna Tom
No comments :
Post a Comment