Santa Anita la Union was the last place that we traveled to in Guatemala before venturing to Mexico. It was a small community founded by ex-guerillas. The community was founded on the idea of creating a self-sustaining community free from the government in order to try to bring the power back to them. They grow, harvest, roast, and package amazing organic, free trade coffee that we had the privilege of drinking everyday! The community is settled in the mountains and surrounded by lush, green life.
It was mind blowing for me to see this environment working together towards a common goal of becoming independent from the government then comparing that to the United States. I think that being in that place helped me to see the world of living off of the land and the resources that surround you. Land is taken for granted in the United States, but seeing the way the resources of the Earth are used and cherished is truly beautiful.
We spent a day with families in the community and in our particular experience we ventured into the jungle for wood for the stoves. The experience was particularly rewarding because Grace and I found ourselves with only each other and without someone who is fluent in Spanish, which was a first. It ended up being really great because we were able to carry a conversation and understand what was going on which really helped with our Spanish. We were with a family that had about fifteen different trees growing in the backyard each with a different fruit! They were growing corn in the garden and had thirty ducks and a few chickens in the backyard. In the right season they would be able to live completely off their own land.
While walking through the jungle I was thinking about the guerillas fighting against the government and wondering if I could be that brave? Could I leave my home with (maybe) a gun and travel through the mountains and jungle of Guatemala? Could I stand up to my government and physically fight against them?
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