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Volunteer Journey—A Love Story
| Graduate
school was almost over
and instead of entering
the corporate world
right away, I wanted to
explore some and
volunteer. I decided on
a volunteer vacation in
South America to take
some much needed time
off and to give back to
a community in need.
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| After
searching the web, I
decided on a volunteer
program teaching English
in Bahia de Caraquez,
Ecuador. This small
coastal town was
gorgeous in the
photographs, which went
perfectly with my idea
of a vacation. And, the
number of children in
poor schools was
astounding. Being a
volunteer would be a
great way to expose kids
to English and to help them learn a
little more about the
world. Two friends of
mine,
Leslie and Marshall,
decided to go with me.
We signed up for the
program and were off! |
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Falling in Love in Bahia
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Once we arrived
in Bahia, we
were in love
with the town.
When we arrived
at the school,
La Escueia
Rotaria (The Rotary
School), we fell
in love with the
kids. But, my
love for Bahia
would not stop
at the beach or
the school. A
greater love was
waiting for me
just down the
road.
After
our teaching
duties ended at
12 p.m., we had
the entire
afternoon to
enjoy the beach
and surrounding
area. After
our first day
teaching, we
headed to the
Repsol Sports
Bar because it
had |
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a panoramic view of the
ocean, pool
tables, satellite TV,
and cold beer. And, it
just so happened that
the bartender was the
hottest guy I had ever
seen. My friend Leslie
reminded me that I
wasn’t looking for a
“vacation” boyfriend. I
tried to ignore the
instant attraction, but
I wouldn’t be allowed to
ignore the attraction
much longer. He was the
only one working, and I
really wanted to order a
beer.
I finally got up my nerve
and walked over to the
bar. My bartender crush,
Marco, only spoke
Spanish meaning I had to
think fast when he
decided to chat with me.
Apparently, the instant
attraction was a two-way
street because he asked
me out that night.
Later we talked about
whether or not it was
love at first sight.
While it may not have
been love at first
sight, we definitely
began falling in love at
first sight! |
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Only
Three Months
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Luckily,
I met Marco the first
week I was in Bahia.
That gave us three full
months together. After
ordering that first
beer, my vacation took
an interesting turn. I
didn’t spend as much
time as I had imagined
getting a tan. Instead,
I volunteered in the
mornings and spent the
rest of my time with
Marco.
I met him
every day and we talked,
played pool, listened to
music, and just hung
out. We knew we were
meant to be together,
but there was so much
working against us. The
language difference was
the immediate roadblock,
but each day that became
less of an issue as my
Spanish improved. The
biggest problem was
looming ahead. I had to
return to the States,
and he couldn’t get a
visa to visit. As the
time for departure grew
near, I did what any
woman in love would do
and decided to stay an
extra month!
WWith the
gift of more time, Marco
and I became
inseparable. I continued
volunteering and Marco
showed me everything in
Bahia that as a gringa I
would never have
experienced. We
were happy, we were in
love, but we were in a
bind. |
Eventually,
I had to return
to the States. I
could barely
walk through the
airport when it
was time to
leave because I
was sobbing. I
cried all the
way home to
North Carolina.
Once I was home,
I missed Marco
desperately! So,
after some hefty
phone bills and
pricy plane
tickets, I
returned to
Ecuador to live
with my love. In
March we were
married, and
nine months
later our son Enzo was born.
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Volunteering Changed My Life
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