11/8/14

I spent a majority of the day looking at the ground. Watching, I suppose, is a better word considering that the desert is an obstacle course out to kill you. Everything here, living and not living, wants you dead. There are rocks that move beneath your feet as to break your ankles or draw some blood from your shins. There’s the sun; blinding and persistent seems to burn you through your sunscreen. And, of course, every single plant whispers death through their spines and waits for the most vulnerable time to lunge at you throat- in today’s case, our feet, elbows, and thumbs. Today was a homicide waiting to happen. Some of us were more fortunate than others.

We said goodbye to the beast this afternoon, leaving us with some minute injuries and some awesome suntans. We are more sore than ever after fifteen miles of non-stop moving, but we can feel accomplished to say we’ve done a hike that no ECOEE has ever seen before. We can even celebrate with some tasty Mexican cuisine. Thank goodness for restaurants, where the labor is not on you. We are such rich human beings. We are blessed to have warm clothes, water, food, and a space to sleep at night. And we can always find something to complain about. We are so behind in homework, I have no money, I smell bad and miss my shower, my bed, and my things. We have been graciously invited to share these resources in an environment that is completely new to us. Water is not an endless resource that we normally feel entitled to. So many people here have so much less stuff than we do. But we are also submerged in a rich culture. A community full and thriving with life, making do with all that they have. Enjoying the simplicity of the ocean and the heat. Perspective is everything. That desert we walked through was so vivacious. There was an amazing amount of greenery for what I thought a desert should look like. There was water. There was so much wildlife, making do with their home in the desert. This is their home, and certainly not mine, but that is okay. It is beautiful. I am so privileged to witness every part of it and live in it for a few days. Screw being comfortable! This is the right way to live.

Cassidy Depoy