Waking up and going to bed sweating? Running out of Sunscreen because you're hitting the beach every day? Having to sit in the sun because the sea lions have taken over all the shady benches?
These are the "big problems" to face in, you got it, the Galápagos Islands.
Most of my time here has been spent on San Cristobal island working on a farm called Hacienda Tranquila with other volunteers. A typical day involves one or more of the following: some intense machete work cutting down invasive species like blackberries (what dumbo snuck blackberries onto these islands??), maybe some painting to help a local organization or heavy lifting that a local school needs a few extra hands for, milking the cows, moving the cows from one part of the property to another, tending to the garden, or cleaning the volunteer house. Evenings are free for beach time and poker games with high stakes in paper money.
Though it has been quite a physical challenge working on the farm, there's nothing more rewarding than picking a naranja (Orange) straight from the tree and indulging in its sweet, plump perfectness after a few hours of hard work that leaves you dripping with sweat and on the verge of getting sun burned. That's a feeling I don't think possible to achieve other than on a farm.
And of course I will miss my fellow volunteers. From lighting gas stoves to knowing what a royal flush is, they have taught me so much, and I have enjoyed their company.
Additionally, I'm constantly amazed when I find myself sitting at a table chatting with people from all over the world--Finland, Denmark, Germany, France, Ecuador--in English. They think and speak do fluidly in their econd (or third) language that I often forget it's not their native tongue.
However, spending so much time speaking with people whose first language is not English has also made me realize the limitations of language. When one learns another language, even if one is fluent, there is so much vocabulary that it becomes incredibly difficult to express exactly what you want to express.
For example, in Spanish, I can say that the sea lions walked but not that they waddled.
Ketchup can come out but not be squeezed.
The almonds can be hard but not crunchy.
I can hug but not cuddle.
I can hurry but not hustle.
The boats can arrive late but not be delayed.
(It doesn't help that my first language, the one I think and breathe in, has the most extensive vocabulary...)
I can't help but feel that despite everything, my Spanish is still just passable and that it lacks the flavor and pizzazz that a native speaker can command.
On the flip side, being around so many non-native English who speak English with such impressive fluency motivates me to continue working on my Spanish.
Next time more on the Galapagos experience! Internet is limited, but I'll do my best.
Love to those at home!
Happy birthday Dad!
Elana