A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Mexico for a much-needed vacation. Whenever I would tell anyone where I was going, they would reply with “Why would you go there? It’s so dangerous!” “Yikes! Are you scared?” and my favorite, “Let’s have lunch before you go; it might be the last time I see you.” Mexico was beautiful, warm and friendly. I didn’t feel a bit scared. Well, maybe just a little when I crossed the border to unfamiliar territory.
We live in a complete world of wonderland, detached from the wants and needs of others. We worry about people entering our borders when a lot of them are just trying to escape the poor living conditions and violence that surround them.
The people I saw and met there were hard workers, not lazy or wanting handouts. One woman working at a restaurant where we ate breakfast was still working when we came back later that night for dinner. I saw construction workers, famers and field workers that made me wonder what they could possibly earn to make it worth leaving their homes to come to the United States to work. It was sad and disheartening to see. I kept wondering, wishing that there could be something we could do for our neighboring country.
When we entered Mexico, no one wanted to see our papers, we didn’t have to wait in line.
It was easy to get in, but coming back to America was a different matter. I wondered during our 2-hour wait at the border who had built the big wall between our countries. I’m sure cheap labor had something to do with it.
When I returned home I’ve never been so happy for clean tap water to drink, a hot shower and a soft bed to sleep in. Such small conveniences make the biggest difference to someone who does not have them in their lives.
The Philippines is currently having a crisis of their own. Thousands of people have died or are injured without food to eat or water to drink. We, as a country who take these things for granted, should be doing something more for people who go without on a daily basis. I encourage you to donate, volunteer for a humanitarian project or visit another country. Not only will it help those in need, but it will help you to feel gratitude for all that you have now.
