Today I was talking with Matt and he asked me to explain exactly why I love Latin America so much. Amidst all of it's ridiculous-ness (not a real word, I know) I find that regardless of where I am or how well I know the people I am with I feel at home.

The culture here immediately accepts me. The people I talk with are so welcoming and excited to share their lives with me. The little kids I play with at IHNFA called me tia (aunt) and couldn't stop hugging me. I had just met them for the first time. People I've talked with for maybe five minutes call me nena and mi amor. A little girl in Mexico told me oye, te kiero (listen, i love you) at least 10 times. The students we taught told the principal "thank you so much teacher for bringing us happiness". While in Argentina families introduced me as their adopted daughter and worried about me and loved me as if I was a true member of their family.

In the U.S. if you can't speak conversational English, forget about making friends, most people won't give you the time of day. Here everyone talks Matt's ears off ignoring the fact that he understands about three words. Most people tell me how good my Spanish is and are so excited that I am trying to learn their language. The two people at IHNFA just laugh when I make mistakes and tell me it's okay that they want to help me learn more.

They want to share their life with me. Everyone is very interested in why we are here and wants to share a part of their life. I feel an instant connection with the people I meet. When they talk to me they touch my arm or shoulder and look me in the eye. When I say good bye they hug me and sincerely wish me well.

In the U.S. I feel like I am always chasing after time. It's always a race against the clock. No matter how much I got done that day, I feel like I should have done more. In Latin America time does not exist. There is always a tomorrow to finish what didn't get done today. There is no need to stress over what you cannot control.

No matter where I travel in Latin America (All over Argentina, Mexico and now Honduras) I feel like I fit in (if I ignore all the stares and forget that I'm the only blonde hair, green eyed, giant around). I rarely feel like a traveler passing through observing from the outside. I feel like an integral part of a community regardless of whether or not I truly fit in.