Today started like any other day. I had my plan in my head, today was Thursday and I had a school event. As usual, the festivities started late.
I left my house even
later than told just to account for Nica time. Apparently I still don’t have
that concept down. Arriving at 6:30am, I met up with some teachers as we waited
for the students to arrive on the street where we sat. Today was the day that
the torch of Central America would proceed through town later to continue on
its journey toward Costa
Rica .
The torch passes every
year starting its journey in Guatemala
in the beginning of September. Traveling next through El Salvador and Honduras ,
it arrives at the northern border of Nicaragua on the Pan American
highway. Because San Isidro
is located on the Pan American, it is received by students on the highway and
passes through town. Teachers wait with high school and older grades of
elementary students who run a few blocks at a time passing through town. I
waited with three fifth graders and one teacher on the corner for the torch to
pass. Trying not to look at my watch, it became 7am, 7:30am, 8am… The students
became antsy and the day got hotter. Finally at 8:30am, we heard the sirens of
the police escort. As fast as the procession came around the corner they passed
right by us without letting the students touch the torch. With disappointed
students alongside, we strode to the park to wait for the welcoming event of
the torch.
This is a pattern that
has happened in other years apparently. Older students want to run the torch
longer distances, everyone wants to touch it a little bit, and students
literally fight to carry the torch and flags. Unfortunately, a beautiful moment
celebrating the unity of Central America is
ruined by selfish tendencies. The welcome was brief, with one folkloric dance,
the band playing, and a short speech from the delegate in charge of schools. In
a flash, all those hours of waiting were over.
I had to try to
convince the teachers that this was a beautiful tradition. Imagining the
equivalent in the U.S.
is difficult. Crossing borders, sharing an identity, I got chills at the
welcome event thinking that this same torch has passed through so many young
hands. Although I was a bit disappointed at the lack of organization with the
kids running the torch, it was a great experience to be a part of.
And then I remembered
the date. Today was no normal Thursday. Today was September 11th, 13
years after the attacks on the World Trade Centers, 3 years after I learned about
the coup d’etat in Chile in
which the U.S.
played a significant role. Today was no normal Thursday.
I have mixed feelings
about what I should be experiencing today. Nicaraguans are celebrating freedom,
independence, and unity along with the countries of Central
America . The U.S.
is remembering the most significant terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
Chileans are remembering those painful days under an oppressive dictator. Where
do I fit in this day?
I have come to no
conclusions, I have no answers. It is a day to reflect and I’ll leave it at
that.