Growing up in a privileged Southern California suburb, seeing someone who looked different than me was a unique experience.
Ricky dropped us off at LAX and we got into the check-in line. There are only two “white” people in line here; myself and Niles. The airline attendant looked at me quizzically and asked if I really was going to El Salvador. We waited for over two hours and it’s interesting being the minority. Everyone is chatting and friendly, no one is complaining about the wait. Carmina has made friends with the family in front of us and is happily chatting away. It turns out that one of the young girls is heading home to La Libertand after an extended visit and, since she’ll be traveling home alone, the entire family has come to make sure she gets off ok. Typical of Carmina, she offers to watch over “Liz”, so we have a new traveling companion.
Boarding the plane, we see another Caucasian face… the flight steward. So, now there’s three of us on board. The plane is crowded. There are four business women in first class, grandparents, babies, young men who look ready to take on the world. As I sit in my seat and look at their faces walking down the isle I can’t help but wonder about them. What there lives are like, how there lives have been. What did they do during the war, how did it affect them and how they are today.
Take off… I look over at Niles and Amy. Niles is grinning from ear to ear and gives an enthusiastic thumbs up. Amy asks if he’s happy and he responds with “mucho mucho”. Willie giggles as we take to the air. He’s so excited to go on this trip.
What will be next?
J
Take-off: 12:05:40 PST
Touch-Down: 5:49:25 CST? (Salvadoran time)
-Niles