My Departure by : Kaydan Pascual

                                                                 My Departure

                                                                                                           

          One day, I got a call pertaining to my legal status from the U.S., which is the “Land of the free, and home of the brave “. When I got the news, it was the happiest day of my life, knowing I would soon be a U.S. resident. I was so optimistic. As a kid, I always dreamed about how great and so attractive this country was. Now that my dreams were about to come to reality, I was so frenzied about going to the United States. Unfortunately, I had to depart from everything that I love so much, that includes my family and country. I was at the bus terminal with my mom, my little sister and a friend. I received my last hugs from them and said my farewell as I took off to Cancun, Mexico. From there I departed the next morning. I sat alone on my flight as I exited one and went to another. It was a sad one, but I was very grateful for this opportunity that had been given to me. Wherever I go it is nothing better than like home , to depart and  go somewhere else it is always a new experience . 

                               

            In Belize, anyone could start a conversation or dialogue in different kinds of languages such as creole, Spanish, Chinese, just to name a few. In Belize, speaking in different languages is comfort and convenient. In the United States, however English is a must. For instance, when coming to America from another country, the disadvantage as a foreigner is that the native language must exclude. For this reason, no one understands what you are saying. Imagine going to McDonald’s and ordering a breakfast and a coffee or doing transactions within the city, whereby people don’t understand you are saying. Hence, speaking English will only make life easier and can communicate with anyone, anywhere. As well as, learn to write and read fluently which can be used for daily life. Back in Belize I use to hablar(talk), hablar, hablar with my friends and close associates speaking my native language, English Patwa (Creole). I love speaking creole. Also, when I often traveled to Hopkins Village, a Garifuna village in southern Belize, I would transition and spoke my other language, Garifuna, to my family members, and close associates who belonged to the same culture as I am. As I woke in the morning, I would say and I quote “buiti binafi, Ida bina?” which translates to English good morning, how are you doing. I would continue my dialogue as I relaxed in a hammock under the coconut tree with the sky whistling loudly. When I came to the United States, I had to leave behind my languages to adopt to the English Language, that’s the only way I would see myself moving forward and interact with others.

                               

             Moreover, my family is the most important people to me, along with my best friend. At times the rain would poor and the sun wouldn’t shine, but that did not stop me from uniting with my family. Any event that have occurred, we would come together and celebrate as a one. The vibes felt so authentic. When I came to Chicago, in a way, I felt incomplete. Although I have family in Chicago, I felt seventy – five percent complete, not like one hundred percent when I was with my family in Belize. In fact, anytime when I was with my brother and my best friend, we would usually go party, along with some female friends and we had a good time. One day, all good things for me came to an end when I had to leave and depart from everything. When I came to Chicago, it was an eye opener for me compared two countries. In Belize, knowing everybody is a must because the population is small, whereas in Chicago   will meet a million faces of different backgrounds and different cultures. By meeting different people with different backgrounds and cultures, we are one melting pot with unique personalities. 


       

    
                                        

              Furthermore, for me joining different cultural groups and observing several of the cultural dances. It had made me culturally active in my country. They are different types of cultural dances such as the following, Maya, Garifuna (African, Arawak, Carib Indians), Mestizo (mixture of Spanish and Native Americans), East Indians, and Mennonites (German descendant). Every dance has a significant meaning and purpose. In addition, some of these dances are performed at certain events such as September celebrations, Prince Harry visits to Belize, whereby a cultural evening is set up just for the prince and his wife. As you see, some of these dances represent amalgamation, and derision from the indigenous people. Within some of the cultural dances, I use to express how I felt using hand gestures and body language alongside, my cultural group. That feeling had lost when I had to depart from being an active person to be productive in another country.

  

          

                                                                                                 

                             

          In conclusion , as a foreigner in the United States, my horizon has broadened due to certain things I see through my lens, that I never seen in another country. Departing myself from everything to explore a bigger world have been so wonderful and I keenly observe what is happening around me. America is a great country whereas Belize is progressively developing. My departure was a sad one, but in the end being in another country made me view a bigger picture. For now, I am living in a wide world right in front of me.