Have you ever heard of rainy season? You know, the time of year where it perpetually rains for a few months? No? It’s a bit of a perplexing thing, really. For the average American boy (that would be me), rain is such a sporadic and remarkable phenomenon, so much so that we get “Thunderstorm Warnings” and unsolicited “Flash Flood Alerts” to our phones any time the weatherman has even a 10% hunch that such weather patterns might rear their ugly heads our direction. Storms and rain clouds just aren’t something I experience day in and day out, however, that’s not the case for this central American country.
If you take a look at the 10-day forecast for Ciudad Vieja, Guatemala, you’ll notice a small, gray cloud with lightning shooting from it placed right next every day. All. Ten. Days. It’s insanity! Have you ever seen that before? Unfortunately, the more insane thing is how badly prepared I am for this season. Moreover, I’ve come to realize that this time of year has become a metaphor for my living in this new place away from my friends and family back home.
The thing about rainy season is that it’s fairly consistent. Rainfall happens around the same time just about every day, beginning sometime in the early afternoon, a brief reprieve around dinner, and back again during night time. Now, any sensible person would take this information and pack with them for their day, oh I don’t know, maybe an umbrella, a raincoat, maybe a poncho, some galoshes, SOMETHING to protect them from the inevitable. I, on the other hand, do not because I’m confident I don’t need them (Stupid, stupid boy). But why? Well, it’s often because I figure I’ll be home early enough to miss it, that it won’t rain too hard today, or I just plain forgot. The reality is that I’m stubborn. I’m so confident that I know better than this natural phenomenon, and in the end, I just end up drenched. Such is life, I guess, but it does make me think. How many times in college did I know about a paper, a project, a deadline and so poorly prepare for it that I just ended up soaked in the consequence of my negligence? Answer: Many times.
Now that I’m in Guatemala, my college habits of procrastination have yet to be stifled. I still come across unpreparedness. It was very clear that I would be leaving a lot behind, but I’m not sure I knew the gravity it would have. I live a bit more vicariously through my phone since I don’t have a bedroom or house full of pictures, books, or trinkets to remind me of, well, me and the people I love. I knew this would be my reality, but I might’ve brought one or two more pictures that I cherish, one or two more books that I’ve already read but mean so much to me, one or two more treasures that hold great sentimental value (Ok. That one might’ve been more difficult since I purged my room and all belongings before leaving). Thankfully, I am surrounded by some wonderful, amazing friends and family who are well aware of my unprepared nature and compiled some letters, pictures, and prayer collections for my adventure to combat these realities.
On the rare occasions that I do happen to schlep a rain coat with me to school, I find it doesn’t really help much. It’s heavy rain here and my thin layers of nylon fail to compete with the gallons of water dumped on this place. Such is life, I guess, but again, I’m made to wonder a bit. Yesterday I missed the wedding of two special friends and was unable to celebrate their love together. Next week I am going to be in the same spot failing to witness the great love between my cousin and his fiancé on their wedding day. Though I am graduated, I found myself really missing out as people have begun returning to school, reuniting with friends, and gearing up for a new year with all the excitement (and homework, YAY) that brings. My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first child in February of next year (Sean makes sure to remind me of this one). All of these things I was well aware of before leaving the country, and despite my preparing, it’s still very difficult being absent for them. I’m sure you know, though, no amount of preparing could ever fully remove all the sadness and longing that comes from missing out. There is peace in knowing that these are just days in the story of our lives, that is, my cousins and friends have a whole their whole marriage for me to be a part of in the years to come, my niece/nephew has her/his whole life for me to influence (either good or bad), and the first day of school, much to every student’s chagrin, comes around every year.
The best parts about rainy season include the “overtime” periods of rain. Every so often, your day is made so much better with that unpredicted down pour of rain. In these moments, no one’s prepared. That’s comforting, right? At least you’re all unprepared and wet. Sixteen months is a long time away, and whether I like it or not, people’s lives back in the States still go on. There’s a plethora of things that I know will occur, and I’ll still be gone having to be updated weeks later because that was when I was able to connect to the internet. I have no preparation for these instances (but as I’ve articulated, I probably wouldn’t have been prepared anyway). It’s going to be difficult when they happen, I’m sure, but the same is true for all of you back home, too. There are several things, moments, little instances that are happening in my life that you, unfortunately, can’t experience with me (and no doubt my absence really lessens your experiences in the States. HA!).
I guess we can all find some solace in knowing that absence seems to be a part of life, and try as we may, we can’t always prepare for it. But when we can, for crying out loud bring a rain jacket (I’m speaking to myself here, of course)! Know that you still may get wet in some capacity, but that’s ok.
And hey, rainy season isn’t all bad. As I recall, my niece and nephews sleep to the sound of rain every night (albeit via a noise machine), and now, so do I.
Until next time, catch me out hanging with the old man who's snoring!
Ryan
