This post was submitted by Ivy Tech student and ASB participant Jamie H.

Climbing a Mountain

The first thing that I have to say is that I have already had the time of my life, and the journey has just begun! When I think about the process that I went through to get to be able to come on this trip, I realize that I didn’t really put my best foot forward and secretly wonder why I’m here. In some ways I was complacent in its pursuit, much like I have been with several things lately. While I have kept up with my school work, I have generally put things off to the last minute. And if I have to make any confessions about my extra curricular activities at school, I have been extremely passive. Even thought I have had some good ideas, which probably could have benefitted a great number of students, I have been complacent in execution, and quick to give up when I have encountered any type of resistance. As of late, I have been waning on lots of things. I have just been doing the bare minimum to get by, and sometimes even less. I’ve been pushing the envelope to see how long it would take someone to hold me accountable for my short-comings. That moment has not yet happened as folks seem to think that I will finish what I start.

The city of Calnali is tucked neatly away in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Everything here is beautiful. The natural wonders are abundant, the people are friendly, and life here seems to be slow paced. The house that we are staying in has a balcony on the front, which is only accessible from the men’s dormitory. The view is of two peaks, one is very steep and densely saturated with vegetation. The other is not as steep, but wears a summit like a circular crown. The rock bolts up from the peak and stands towering like a stoic guardian over the quiet city.
The paths up the mountain are narrow, and appear to have carved out by water. They are also used by the farmers here to herd livestock up the mountain so that they may graze. It’s a long, tiring walk up. I guess that would by why we place so much importance on being able to climb mountains.

As the group walked the winding trails were took frequent breaks to talk about the view, the weather, and what we are doing here. The conversation took many turns, with frequent banter. But we kept coming back to the main point, which was that we are here to make an impact on someone’s life. That person is me. When we got a little more than half-way up, some of us (understandably so) felt the need to go back down. This was my chance to finish something I started. This mountain had suddenly become an opportunity to prove to myself that I could finish something that I had started. Did I come here to just climb all the way or did I have the drive and determination to make it all the way to the top? My soul starts screaming yes, and when the question was asked who wanted to go all the way, I was the first to raise my hand. So I and 5 others said that we could go the distance.

By this time, my legs were screaming and all that I could think about was how nice it would be to have a shower and lay down. But I have too clean and well rested for too long. I had to persevere. I needed to prove something to myself. We moved on. After passing through a gate the hill became much steeper and presented a new element. Can you push yourself a little harder to be where you want to be, or would I settle for close. No, I couldn’t. I had to get there. My life almost depended on it. Each step was one step closer to the goal.

Finally we made it as far as we could, because the trees and plants got so thick that light could not even pass through the leaves. Once I reached the top, I felt that I was so high over the earth that at any moment gravity would cease to exist and I could just float away. It was breathtaking to have the view of the stoic guardian. There was also immense personal gratification. Overwhelming emotions stirred as I peered over the city. The air was sweet with victory and sweat. A light breeze fanned my aching body, but all I could feel was joy. A cleansing took place with 5 classmates, and washed away all the doubt that I had let build. In fifty years I may not remember the view, or the fallen tree that I used for a bench, but I will always remember the way that I felt at that moment, and how if I had been alone I would have cried.

Does this Taxi have a Seatbelt?

Flying into Mexico City was a sight to behold. I have never seen an expanse of lights that seemed to go on forever. After we landed and got through customs we were met by Pat, one of the ladies that’s helping out Juana, our host, for this trip. She was there to get us to our taxis and then our hotel. Once we were in the garage we saw our taxi drivers. There were standing next to two older Chevy Suburbans painted maroon and silver with some custom wheels. I could not see how the luggage for 14 people was going to fit into these cars, but he drivers assured us that everything would be fine. Once the truck was busting at the seams with luggage, there were still 6 bags sitting on the ground beside the car. The driver picked them up and threw them on the luggage rack, crossed himself, and said lets go. There were not tied down or anything. I was a nervous wreck, as the main bag that I brought with me was one of those on top. We left the airport and all I could think about was my duffel on top and how at any second it was going fly off the car and into the street and be destroyed by one of the other insane drivers. I have never had such a car ride in my life. Stop lights here are merely a suggestion and I don’t know why they even bothered to paint lines on the road, they are completely ignored. But this does have a happy ending. We made it to the hotel in one piece and with all the stuff, so I guess that he knew more that I gave him credit for.