So, yesterday I had to get some xrays for my wrist because I was playing soccer on my day off and slipped on the concrete and landed right on my hand/wrist Just a slight sprain and should be out of this stupid splint in about two days. Beat street. Although, it allowed me to do what I do best. I got to go shopping for the base and pick up some stuff they needed to get. Today will be the same as I have to take it easy for a few days and than I plan on doing rubble for my last ten days here. I have been gone for two weeks now and have exactly two weeks left. I am pretty shocked at myself that I've made it and now that the time to go home is creeping up on me I don't know how I feel about it. I love the people here. Everyday I meet someone new that just absolutely blows my mind. I can't wait to get home and write about them all. It would be weird if I did it while we are all here because some of them read this and you know...
I have learned so much while I have been here. The one thing I have really learned is that the money doesn't EVER make the man. I have met some of the most poverty stricken people in the world that were also some of the most amazing characters I have ever met as well. The people in this country appreciate what we are doing and they really go out of their way to show it. I wasn't apart of this, but my one friend and her team spent three days building a village for people who were displaced during the quake. When they were done they threw her and her team a giant ceremony on the beach. These are some of the poorest people on the planet and they go out of their way to show us an amazing time. They had fresh fruit and vegetables and meats lined up for them. They tossed flowers on them and were even handing over babies. It's a beautiful thing really. Helping someone in need is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. I always liked doing it when I was home, but nobody really appreciates it quite like this. At home we think we things and assistance, but compared to these people, we are truly truly blessed. I don't think you will ever hear me complain again about my life or anything I struggle with because i will look back at this trip and remember everything I have seen and gone through. For those of you that know me, you know I don't forget a single thing I see and my memory stays with me forever.
It just feels so good being here. I havent accomplished much in my life that meant alot to me. I feel like this is one of the most important things I have ever done in my life so far. I don't think I will be able to miss another disaster that HODR takes on because I feel like it is now my duty to help, if even for just a couple weeks. When is the last time you had to worry about shelter because you couldn't even find a roof to stand under while it rained? Have you ever had to spend an entire day figuring out how you were going to get a single calorie into your body? Have you ever had to worry about where your next drop of water was coming from? I haven't either, and thats why I have such compassion for the people of this country.
Speaking of compassion for this country, my man Jermaise stopped by on sunday just to see me after he was done his shift at the hospital. He walked over to our base and informed me he will most likely be working here in the near future! He learned what chillen meant and wont stop saying it, which is absolutely hilarious to hear him say "I'm chillen like Bob Dylan" hahaha. We talked for a few minutes and at the end he told me he missed me lots. I almost broke down and was ready to give him a big Weissman bear hug, but I refrained. He will be back friday to come hang out and hopefully I get to see him a bunch of times before I go. I know I will talk to this man forever, he is my idol. The drive to want to learn is such a beautiful thing. It makes me wish I had tried alot harder at life to see where it could have taken me. I feel like I havent even worked hard yet and I hope that this trip will have changed that.
As the time has gone by here we have seen people in base come and go and you really get upset when some of your favorites leave. I lost one of my bests here the other morning and she was the most positive person I had ever met. A Canadian girl with a giant heart and awesome morals. You don't really think about stuff like that at home when you meet people, but here, everybody has some type of core value that makes you respect them in some way shape or form. No matter how standoffish they act.
So, in two weeks I will be one of those people who have come and gone. I hope I have made even half the impact that some of these people have made on me. They really try to help me out because of how uncultured I am and I truly appreciate every single ounce of help I have received. The best way I can describe this experience so far is that it has just been a beautiful story in my head. Everything that has happened seems like destiny and it gives me the chills day in and day out to know that people like the ones on this base do exist, and in numbers....
I love you all, and I miss my friends and can't wait to come home and reflect on what has happened to me here. I have made friends for life.
LOVE
Dan
THis is a really funny blog, considering I ended up staying until January 15th. Haha, I love looking back on this stuff...
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