My Life in Guatemala: Leonela’s Story

Guatemala National Flag – near the airport in Guatemala City  | Photo Taken by: Leonela A.

My father served the army in Guatemala and we moved around a lot during my childhood years. Some of my observations related to how our life was stressful and challenging. I have no roots to speak from because every place we moved, there was a different Spanish dialect that we had to learn in school. This was one of the hardest challenges I faced throughout our journey moving to different places in Guatemala. It could be Peten, Huehuetenango, Puerto Barrios where my parents might be settled, or it could be Jutiapa where we originally hail from. In my entire teenage life, I have never stayed in a place which has been our home. This whole situation was really traumatic to my childhood because I never felt at home or got to know my culture well.
I never stayed long enough to pick up the culture of a place. This turned me into a stranger. The reason for this is because I never stayed in a place in Guatemala for more than two years. We would move into a new place, organize our belongings around it and before we had settled in, it was time to take our stuff and leave.
We moved around, about 10 times, and I felt that was the mode of my family from then and forward. The longest I have stayed in a single place is three years. That is where I am at right now, which is the United States. Every change of place gave me the feeling that I was lost as time went by. It was much more difficult when I was surrounded by new people. I wanted to socialize with them so I can learn new dialects.
Each one of these changes got me into an unknown environment which leads me to be in a lost world. My brain was lost and I really wanted to have a settled life.

Bella Montañas (Beautiful Mountains) | Photo Taken in Jutiapa Guatemala by: Leonela A.

Fortunate people in Guatemala are very humble, helpful, and friendly. Anywhere I was, I would always find new people. They could definitely tell I was so new to their area. Without asking them, they would confront me and ask if I needed any help. They were always there if I had any questions. I have memories of writing letters to my father every night. It was really a desperate time where my dad had to work so hard in order for my family to have better opportunities. This was my dad’s situation. I could not even have a well written story to express to my dad how much we missed him. Because of so many dialects in my head, it was really complicated to focus on one of them. Therefore, I was always mixing the languages when I was trying to talk to people. It was definitely a total disappointment.

However, I will agree that most of the people I encountered and I met were so helpful. As an example, they were helping me with the differences and similarities of the dialects.
Groups of people would also ask me if I had time to meet after school or if they could come over to my house and help me in anything I was having trouble with. I moved to seven schools while growing up. I would always be the only girl trying to learn what was taught in school. The hardest part was when I had to speak with them, because they communicated by their own dialect. Once again, I was feeling lonely with no energy to keep up with school.
I always found myself trying my best. I got to a point where no matter how hard I tried, I found that it was the people I couldn’t get used to. I felt so confident since I figured out that a lot of people wanted to help, and were also willing to spend time so I could learn their languages.

Books and family were my only companionship growing up. My family advised me to read books because it was really helpful to encounter myself. I didn’t realize I would more strongly relate to characters in books than compared to the real people that I have met throughout my entire life moving from place to place. It was somehow strange meeting so many people because there are so many differences in humans. But the attitude of every person towards me showed me so much support. I felt the energy to show them we all can do everything with effort and hardwork. One of my biggest motivations was when I started to get used to the books, but the people. For some reason I felt I was living in another world without people. I loved the fact that I got used to reading books instead of having to deal with people.

The National symbol is called “Marimba.” | Photo Taken in Asuncion Mita, Guatemala by: Leonela A.

So, I read because this is how my life along the way feels settled. Once my younger self knew how to focus and be independent, I was able to learn and comprehend what I was reading without struggling. This was the environment that shaped me as a person, and in some ways, continued to help me grow in my future. Friends and other people understood the situation because I never knew when I was going to move again, and that was really frustrating and hurtful at the same time. The fact that I got to meet a lot of people made me realize I was only to meet them for a while and then move on. In conclusion, there were so many obstacles I faced throughout my journey, such as moving a lot, trying to learn so many dialects, and trying to figure out the style of life I needed.

However, there were so many ways I could’ve found the solution. But, with all the stress, I couldn’t think of any possible way to manage my situation. I learned that I have to be patient. Also, I learned that there are so many great people willing to get you out of a struggle, no matter how many challenges had to be faced. The amount of challenges faced were so many. But, the support of all these people I met from so many places in Guatemala was unbelievable. It was one of the hardest challenges I encountered in my whole entire life. However, it was one of the greatest experiences at the same time because I learned I do not have to be afraid of not knowing the language. Because no matter how difficult the challenges a person has to face are, there will be so many people willing to help out and give support. So, people do not give up!

Written by: Leonela A.

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