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To all the kind souls

March 31, 2022 by Cassandra Johnson

The news highlights sad truths. I too can speak to tragedies and warn there are so many instances when your best interests are not considered, or people take advantage of you.

I can still further warn you of scams especially while you are traveling. We all know there are a lot of instances when you have to be extra vigilant. Work on your timing. Remember safety in numbers. Et cetera.

Still, you have to think, how would we be anywhere at all if life was as dire as the never ending saga, the news tunes us into each day. Even they burn out into feel-good pieces and highlight some semblance of happy endings and justice. I will give them their credit due.

The day’s trip started late for Kat and me. The thought was for us to be cautious. Both her parents and my family were relieved we met in the Peruvian capital so we could take the four-hour bus ride together into the remote desert. Before that, we had never met. She also was in the Facebook group of people who would be volunteering for disaster recovery. My friend back in DC suggested I reach out to see if there were any other people going my way to the town on the same day. After Juan of Spain, who I was also yet to meet was unable to make the flight, she had responded to me and interestingly, for all the precautions we may have leaned into, we were always safe in the company of strangers from point A to B. Since there are some hard stories of people being scammed, cheated, and far worse (all over the world, mind you), we are right to think about this everywhere, but we are not right if we give into fears and think the worse.

The position we were in was mainly trying to follow the advice for guarding possessions in which we had to rely on each other. There are some bus companies that are better than others and we could only take a bus after our respective flights to the capital the day prior. We were looking to each other for information and  direction. We had a lot mapped out from the organization’s information and on our own but going through the motions in person is a whole other level. She was happy I speak Spanish.

Still interesting, once we posed the one question about our potential 3rd of 4 stops along the way, several passengers from the area were especially attentive of us getting off at our proper destination.

Image credit by Pexels

For all the moments we are forewarned about being taken advantage of and of people not caring, there are so many more thoughtful people and actions through which we remain afloat.  People feel a need, on their own, or through organized moments to help people in wars, conflicts and against lack or resources. For all the variety in the different calls to lend a helping hand in the moment in what is seemingly small or not, for each moment someone feels called upon, we can be appreciative.  There are a number of actions I cannot even began to imagine doing which other people do naturally. What is equally inspiring is just being more willing to be helpful or friendly in our everyday encounters. Customer service associates could really use it. A stranger down on their luck may not even expect it. (I’m reminded of my younger brother recently telling me how he was able to help a coworker who was locked out of his car).

I have a further thought of what catalysts our behaviors can be and how powerful we are when we do not easily think we are. When I was younger, I remember the Quarreling Book was pretty spot on, with its impending domino effect that led from one person upsetting another until the cycle proved to be rather pleasantly effective in reverse.

Kat and I could depend on the kindness of strangers that day. Moments before and after that, I found such dependence became a necessity.

Save the plethora of ulterior motives that leave us vulnerable, there must be twice as many people and circumstances where people are doing even minor things to help someone along the way, towards their own teamwork or just being willing to do so for no particular individual gain.

Even for all the snarky and disgruntled moments, which seemingly assert themselves, there have been way more or enough of the alternative ones to keep us trusting with a healthy amount of vigilance. Kind regards to all the kind souls who want to see you get where you are going, literally and otherwise.

Distracted

March 28 by Cassandra Johnson

I am in the Politics and Prose bookstore, in my now DC neighborhood and I wander to the back wall of the travel section.

The last time I was there, I picked up the Lonely Planet edition of Cuba, a book showcasing the off-the beaten-path places to see in the country which still are noted accordingly, and the ones which are not because of the ironic knowledge. Still I like both the tried and true and the little known.

Going back to the office was challenging after 10 days in Cuba, however this was never so real as how I felt after living in Peru and Bolivia.

Not being ready to be back in the US and facing off with the reverse culture shock I had been forewarned about, I realized I could temporarily transition back by staying in a traveler’s hostel before securing another DC apartment. I would also continue my search for desired NGO and/or development work which I was for now more certain I had the field experience.

Years ago, my horizon had been so broadened that I was ironically too open-minded about my own chances and how people would see me back in the States. The ready circumstances or chances I had to orchestrate the next steps was not how I imagined them to be. Perhaps my heart was just too much abroad. Perhaps, I was unfortunate not to get the chances I needed in time.

I did work. I became ill and after finally getting better in the ER and hospital, I leaned towards what was supposedly stable though dulling to my senses. Unfortunately, the work was similar to what I only wanted to do for a little time when I moved to this area years ago, before doing more with international development. I was at another non-profit trade association and unfortunately, I became skillful at the department in which I worked and my knowledge of the operations as I was inclined to do. I imagine most of us are inclined to master our day-to-day responsibility and what is expected of us, so I became proficient at those operations and once again unfortunately, my tenure geared more towards the inner workings of a trade association. Perhaps in a fortunate way, I had to seek out my own international endeavors and my life still mirrored the experiences I sought out during and after my college years. My friends were international and locally from different backgrounds and I was friends with those who represented the mainstream and my own minority background as well.

Perhaps seeking out my own development work here and disaster relief abroad has molded me into being more appreciative of what I have been able to do and kept me from being burned out. Now I get the chance to select from a second passion and do that as I travel. Still, I recall the confusion of coming back and trying to make everything fit and employers keeping me to the box that I submitted to as well because though the work was something to which I was acclimated and had many perks, this was not my first choice. I dedicated about 15 years to organizations that did not truly speak to me. Thank goodness for travel, cool coworkers, other interests on the side and a willpower, though delayed at times, which will not let go.

Up my alley

February 28, 2022 by Cassandra Johnson

The evening at the DC Wharf with my best friend with fireworks, mouthwatering dinner, comforting conversation and a touch of soccer was delightful leisure to my senses. Saturday was so good. Then Sunday (yesterday) was a complementary second. I was finally getting my chance!

My love of linguistics is mirrored in a building I did not think I would be seeing quite so soon. When my cousin told me about one of DC’s newest installments, I knew this would be on my local bucket list as I landed hopefully on their landing page.

Entrance to Planet Word Museum

I could see like the National Museum of African American History and Culture that had come to fruition, with the telling of aspirations, struggle, and achievement as an addition to the other historical museums that held some of the African and African American chapters, this museum, Planet Word, would also have a waitlist. There would be the free release of tickets during a certain time span each day, just like the former, so there was the element of perhaps getting lucky in advance, planning way in advance, or getting a legit hookup. Fortunately I did get lucky enough, a few years ago to go to the National Museum of African American History and Culture with a friend who had extra tickets. This time, I made a note to sign up sometime in advance to feed my language/culture admiring self. Still, the best-laid forgotten plans. I inadvertently put it on hold. I figured things may have changed recently and though the notice was short, how nice would that be if the date of my birthday was still open. Button after button, I could see my transaction was going through. Voila! I clicked 2 tickets just in case.

There I was. A few metro stops. Right on my home line and hello Sunday. I stood under the whispering willow tree. This is your welcome mat. You hear the whisper of words in various languages as you walk underneath the large structure on your way inside.

Whispering languages

I went into the front and the kind concierge looked up my ticket as I had my vaccination card and ID in hand, before she could barely say she needed to see them. She gave me several directions, including to start on the 3rd floor and work my way down.

It would be an understatement to say how fascinated I am with language, culture, linguistics, and the like. This museum was made right up my alley. Even in the elevator, the surrounding bookcase-like structure captured my imagination. [spoil alert inserted here: just in case you enjoy the surprise element with your tours] Stepping into a room with a large circular word structure, the interactions begin. There were several language stations with taped speakers that gave you a chance to learn their language, My second language of Spanish was first or perhaps my station coincidentally began there. Next was Portuguese, followed by Piscataway, an endangered indigenous language of the native people of the southern Maryland area in which words like Chesapeake still live on. The representative of the language brilliantly relayed some more mainstay words of a language sadly now only spoken by less than 1000 people. (I am grateful for him). I was also warmed to see Quechua had been included, an indigenous language of Peru, still spoken there. I learned a bit while when I was Peru hanging out with several of the guys who speak it predominantly.

Next I was heartened by the endangered interactive language exhibit. The strides some people have taken to undo language repression underscores a strength I cannot begin to imagine when enduring so many other psychological and physical barriers.

I wandered into the room with the 22-foot tall wall of words (also interactive!) learning about the origins of most of American English and some interesting contributions and borrowed words with origins not even remotely apparent. The wall had a sense of humor as well.

Speaking of, we were schooled a little more on the language of jokes and enticed into exhibits and invitations to pose with props that challenge your friends and family to a laugh and to decipher trivia. I realize at this point I did neglect to mention the video of the evolution of baby talk and language development, which meets you when you step onto the third floor. Babbling is key among our many steps and we are informed how deaf children babble with their hands. The cuteness of this collaged video exhibit was a little hard to leave honestly. Side note.

How we acquire language

Now back to leaving the 22-foot tall wall of words, there were quite a few options (I will need to make repeat trips to savor everything which to me is one of the great dimensions about DC museums along with the perk of many of them being free). I entered the karaoke plus performance room. With artists such as Katie Perry, Outkast, and One Republic, you could select your own to perform, jukebox style, or see the performance playing out on the stage in front of you. We were surrounded by a further breakdown of language etched on the walls, touching on similes, puns, and other intriguing twists and inventions we have developed along the way. The room of public speaking was now on my right: Think “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ear”. I actually need to explore this more on my next stop.

Some word development
Karaoke plus concert room
Etched lessons

The room of significant books throughout our human years stole my attention. I will own that I am quite sensitive, both good and bad, quite a bit nostalgic, and always will be. Making my way down each floor, I still have some places to go. As I look forward to more, I thank you for sharing even more of your time with me.

Your Museum Link:  Planet Word

Some time before

February 26, 2022 by Cassandra Johnson

Time suddenly contracted: Giving my landlord a 30-day notice without having another place where I would be returning, donating my car, leaving a temporary job where they wanted to hire me permanently. The decisions were necessary in my view but also so final.

They were more freeing than I would expect. I comforted myself with the ideas of facility and availability. How easy did I think it would be to return to the US and start working again, rent a new apartment, and just have to take the bus, train, or my feet everywhere. How simple. Leaving the way I did, I had to suspect there was some element of ease to my return, when I did return. I was incorrect in some of my perspective, but it got me to this.

Sometimes I have to take one opportunity cost or more so I can see some of my inspiration turn into life.

The final steps, which I decided were necessary, got me to my alternate opportunities though they also urged more second thoughts. I had to keep some greater fears to myself. I was surprised this was finally happening. My dream to travel and help people abroad was beginning. My experiences also gave me more ease in places I would later visit in the future. For the first time, as a volunteer’s journey, as the elements played out in real life, my mind so easily told me to stop and accept the tried and true and reminded me that I could be giving up security, safety, and putting friendships on pause and perhaps even a budding romance. The more I did, the more I had to go. Some of the time when people repeated what I said I was going to do with surprise, I was inwardly convincing myself of the finality of my plans as well. Sometimes, one just knows the last circumstance needed is twin doubts.

If I left the comfortable grind of everyday life, what would happen to me. Did I have a place? It was safe to say I would be bunking in Peru for the next immediate months and who knew after. I also did not know my fellow volunteers/new friends/travelers would have me wanting to explore more of this other side of South America. So there I was in a mixture of my own dreams and my own making. I was scared. I could barely wait.

When I describe leaving the comfortable grind, I had to remind myself there was a grind I needed to address in not realizing some other aspirations. My stability is alright but interestingly does not help with my mental balance and security is not the easiest element to focus on when wondering about a path I had imagined myself taking long ago. I even felt a little late but was happy I was going. I had found and applied to the one group I felt would fit me well (boy would I be curiously surprised when I encountered them on a Friday night in between volunteering shifts.😊

I was going and staying and about to get some interesting insights on staying a little longer and maybe even for the duration down the line.

Progress. Weather Permitting.

January 31, 2022 by Cassandra Johnson
Image Credit by Mesym of Pixabay

Relying on my resilience to go the next route, especially as I am reminded there is a difference between contentment and complacency. Work on my own is good but it can be better, like other elements of life. They can be good. I cannot complain but they can be better. Therefore, hold me accountable to hitting the road virtually and otherwise doing what is truly required.

I can be gracious and want more, realizing a lot of us do not note how much we deserve or are capable of completing.

Life feeds us challenges in circumstances and people, not even so clever. We may even let them believe they are clever (picking our battles) and for me, navigating some of the gloom and those who just cannot bring themselves to believe in me is a challenge. I imagine the challenge this must present in a lot of people’s experiences. Even those who believe in mediocre accomplishments for you can detract from your natural fans and the support system you do have; those people who you may incidentally sometimes not notice as much, because there is no need to defend or prove yourself to them. I try to focus more on the supporters these days; the people who expect a lot and are impressed by what I’ve experienced, completed, and what the future may hold. Hopefully everyone has those people. They do not or refuse to know another version of you.

Was resilience taught? Maybe acquired. Mario Bros said a lot about me. Interesting. Oddly. Obsessively? Work followed by reward. I still believe in efforts and returns and enjoying the challenge (in a lot of instances) and the satisfaction of coming out ahead. Such a simple hard concept but I was driven to lean into it. The song I noted in the post You Are Here taught me this, but then again also maybe this was just another highlight to the ideology I was getting on how working hard pays off.

Of course, one learns differently and sometimes roughly of how the concept is not always true. Yet, the ideal theory seems to also work and how can we not have some faith in that. People with real talent become stars and athletes and star athletes. Movies and books teach us to identify with the happy honest outcome, keen on integrity, and we see the possibility. Hope is necessary.

So I’m turning over this level of achievement and the next pages require even more refinement even if there are some moments I temporarily feel defeated (naturally – thinking I have given in). Sometimes I just need a moment and then I’m hitting the pavement again in person and virtually mostly as it gets safer, putting myself more out there in my freelance and other work. Couldn’t I have infinite chances just so long as I can press pause and/or keep starting the level over. Oh sigh at not being Mario, perhaps, but I will work with what I got.😉

Fuel

January 27, 2022 by Cassandra Johnson
Image Credit by meisterbuehler of Pixabay

Reminiscent of waking up in our dad’s house on a visit when my mom was still with us and then when just my dad was still with us. It was nice to wake up in my brother’s home and just the vibe I needed. I needed to be surrounded by the grounded and comforting feeling I get from family especially in this season of the pandemic leaving us in situations that otherwise make us extra cut off from normal routines.

This was the vibe I needed to fuel my original self and feel I had people caring for me for… well, just being me. Corny can be so real and man I am corny at times.😊 Life reminds me that it is just nice to know there is mutual affection, a shared connection, and new possibilities with our new respective families and potential families.

Even with the supposed advances of technology which can connect you, the connection is not quite the same. Live energy is very real, and we need a variety of life to be the complete people we are.

I had only been back once since the pandemic. A second time was needed. . . and now a third and a fourth and a fifth and a…

Hopefully 2022 will also be better for synchronizing schedules with friends too.

Lastly: Romantic Life. I was mostly rational until very recently. as I reconnected with my ex over the holidays. What started out as confusing and odd turned into something a bit intriguing and endearing. I was curious and opened up the communication with one of the seemingly most considerate guys I ever dated.

Plus, I was reminded of our relationship via the romance and silliness of an old reality TV show. I am glad we just happened to meet on a night I needed to be out, and I am glad that he made his way over to me. I made my way over to him this time – years later, with no expectations and all kinds of expectations. The heart is tricky. Curiosity invades our guarded self-protective decisions. Oops or Yay.

What I am not sure of could feel an anthology but just as equally could what I wonder about. Mostly, I am willing to find out. 😉For love. For travel and for the rest of my life.

meet me anywhere

DECEMBER 28, 2021 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

I made my way slowly back to the capital of Lima in Peru. I knew I had to be there in time for my return flight to the US. I had extended my stay and booked a later flight. I fully believed the people who warned me I was going to experience a reverse culture shock. I was struck by it during my first layover. I did not know how to describe the feeling that came over me in the East Coast airport, but it enveloped me in its starkness. I knew I was conditioned to being a Westerner and missed certain experiences which were uniquely home, but some roots also took hold of me when I was my in my home away from home. For some time, my native US was a bit overwhelming. While I had missed it, I now missed South America too.

Image Credit by Ernesto Rodriguez on Pixabay

Oh digress. For the time being I was soaking in my last days in Peru, creating my own stresses and enjoying my life too. The battle of human nature. There were still a lot of things I wanted to enjoy and experiences with which I insisted on challenging myself.

I spent quite a lot of my last days in Lima near Surco in an area that was known to be unsafe. For safety sake I take the moment to advise that Miraflores is one of the safest and nicest areas you will want to find yourself in for a quick or long stay. Surco can also be very nice, but some spots came with warnings from local friends and acquaintances.

I was near Surco visiting a friend who I became close to during my stay in the city of Cusco in Peru. She lived in the hostel which was mostly composed of us volunteers doing work at the school for neglected youth. She happened to not be volunteering in Cusco but with her living in the same spot, we became close and bonded even more as I told her the unique experience of where I had been – what it was like to be gritty and real in Pisco. I felt a bit responsible honestly for what turned into the accident she would experience there. She wanted to experience and take part in the organization there in Pisco because of my talk although she may say it was a combination of what others talked about as well and her own interests. She also noted (or maybe others did), her accident which landed her in a hospital in Lima where I coincidentally was able to visit her every day was a result of leisure time on a bar’s weak rooftop. There were a few bars we frequented there. Still, I was sad to see her in a hospital bed unable to walk and going through the process of healing before she would finally be able to do so again.

I was also just happy to see her, glad we were together again, filled with some degree of hopeful relief and remembering how she was with us for some of the time on those 3 am to 6 am outings in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. That was life then and I never imagined the road she would have taken from there to Pisco and finally to this modern capital city.

Any given day

DECEMBER 22, 2021 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

The familiarity of the unusual. I made fast friends with a couple at Machu Picchu after we had just been toured around by a guide who inquired if we wanted to be taken through the world wonder together. Going it alone and learning would have been fine but there was a nice touch to officially hearing history and stories from him and the other tour groups along the way. As her boyfriend took a hike there after the tour, the girlfriend and I sat in the cafe discussing our travels. I thought how nicely the day had been salvaged (see my agitated and first wonder of the world recap). After all, I was not supposed to be alone but I had lost my original official tour and hiking package earlier that day.

About a month in, I had a fairly decent idea of an agenda after Pisco, Ica (departing from my initial decision to stay there throughout my entire time in South America) and I was already in Cusco, Machu Picchu. I had a good idea of the cities and countries I wanted to find myself in, but I was saving room for spontaneity too and even delays. You have to expect delays and other possible issues as well.

I also realized I was not ready for my time to be limited. As I spoke with my tour buddy, she talked about Argentina. Her home country was now my invitation. She wrote her address and contact information so neatly. The thing about this time is how I knew her offer was not empty. She fully meant if I made it to Argentina on this volunteer and now backpacking mission, I should visit her and her boyfriend there.

How absurd if I happened upon this information now, right? How unreasonable if I tried to link up with them, but somehow someway in another world and time and perspective, life has taught me it can be uniquely surprising. I never even considered I would go to Cuba, especially considering the barriers, but I was there in several cities over ten days. It may not be entirely insane and normal to see the Argentinian couple again. I am still close to a lot of people, so it makes more sense to see them with detailed plans. So while I have no possible plans to recount those memories together with the friendly pair, I see their invitation as symbolic of the many people I have met and will continue to meet.

My international itinerary stays Argentina bound now for the moment, fully expecting it be part of some repeat visits as Peru has come to be.

No need to apply pressure. No need to take on too much anymore, similar to how some jobs expect you to be wholly self-sacrificing. (Oops sorry: the flashbacks)

No need to be under additional strain, especially not needing to live experiences as a check list per se. Check lists help me regularly but I am ruling out some practices which have shown up unnecessarily, at least where I can help it.

Life is not easy in a lot of ways, but we can also make hard work out of too many expectations and inner and outside pressures. We can do better and cheers to other avenues coming our way.

Then it’s gone

November 30, 2021 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

I was sad to leave Cusco but a big part of me was ready. The volunteer work I did during the weekdays there was so different from the work we did in Pisco, so I had some affirmation that I was drawn to the right place when I did my first volunteer work abroad and signed up to do reconstruction work in Pisco, Peru. (I felt I could have stayed for even longer).

I realized Pisco still seems like going back to a second home as I was able to finally revisit.

Reconstruction work was so different from my office job at the time. The work was different for a lot of us, and we wanted it that way. The work was also something people would not expect or recall I had signed up to do. Some people still forget. They think of gigs like teaching English and though I have been involved in ESL, there is something more innate in me when I look at natural disaster recovery. Still yanking at me is the empowerment of both the workers and those who have been struggling to overcome what is so seemingly daunting.

Perhaps because of some struggles I have had in my also knowingly privileged life in the US, I wonder about all the work people can do if they have a chance not to have to worry about meeting their basic needs and furthermore what can happen when they participate in the transition.

After work in Cusco and a lot of play and exploration of historic and beautiful surroundings, I was almost ready to come back to D.C. Almost.

Awake

November 29, 2021 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON

The attention on my way to the Cuban restaurant on a recent Friday night reminded me of the feeling of casually going out most evenings after volunteering in Cusco, Peru. At the time, the crew was now my three or four closest comrades (being that I had left the scores of volunteer friends in Pisco). We would regularly go the bars and clubs on Cusco’s plaza every night and stay out anywhere between about 3 to 6 am. There were some quieter evenings inside watching a movie, chatting or simply eating out but we most casually spent nights chilling and or dancing to deejays or live music at La Lek, Mama Africa or some other bar/club in the Plaza de Armas (quite different and reminiscent of the other Plaza de Armas – other main squares in L. America). This was easily our stomping ground between volunteering and touring the city.

Only in those cases, (different from this recent November chilly night), imagine replacing the guy on the bus (who had a nice Jamaican accent) with guys from Argentina and Chile who regularly pass through Peru on their “holiday”. Interesting how something unique can become interestingly common. It would be unusual for us not to get approached by a couple of guys from these regions at least a few times an evening or night and the nice thing about traveling to one place is getting even more exposure to other places from visitors outside the current country you’re in and your own. That was Cusco on any night. We had a lot of wandering aspirations in common with our sometimes dance partners or just fellow tourists – and some interesting ideas not so in common.

There was one guy I particularly liked. Now it seems like a lifetime ago. Some moments stick and some people leave quite the impression.

Getting out recently was a reminder of life to come. With my new work arrangement, I am also not on the subway or bus as much – so getting there was more a reminder of the nice convenience more than the necessary part of my life it was to get to my old job. After chatting with another guy (very young), who wanted my number and finally catching up with a friend over good drinks and food, I am ready for the randomness plus camaraderie. After safely getting use to a life a lockdown, it is nice to be back in the midst of people, enjoying good company and diverse cuisines. Dancing is the probably the last thing missing, (at least for now), the familiarity of taking music back from just workouts. Life is promising again, as it always can be with new seasons or just new days. I am reawakening to some potential I had to put on hold.