Small Glimpses

Fri. January 16, 2009 3:33 pm

I took a combi (a big van that transports people) instead of waiting for the camión (the bus). I was running late. I sat down next to the smallest, most leathery-skinned old woman I've ever seen. She was wearing a traditional Mayan dress and eating grapes out of a bag. I saw the two of us from the outside then...

Before hopping on the combi, I saw my body in the reflection of the window. My new pink tank top, fashionable green jacket, dark skinny jeans accentuating my young slim body, my well-cut hair framing my light brown face, with my Coach purse slung at my side and headphones pumping American imported music into my ears. I am so American. Look at me, I carry myself with assurance and security. I am young and beautiful.

And there I was sitting next to this tiny old woman, towering over her with my 5-foot tall body, watching her dark skin move. How different we are.

She began to cough, and I gave her some gum. I don't think she knew what it was, and I told her "Chicle. Para mascar." She looked at me and smiled. She only had a few teeth. Ooops. But she put it in her mouth and chewed it somehow. I guess the flavor must've hit her then, for she looked at me, smiled, thanked me and called me a little diminutive word that ended in -ita, and put her hand on my knee. She kept it there for a while and I couldn't help but smile at her warmth and my small glimpse into her world

We were close to the Facultad de Antropología. At the last minute, I reached into my purse and pressed 10 pesos into her hand.

I feel so good. It's not much, not even 1 American dollar, but I feel so good.

:)
-Ashley