2016 Baja 1
Michelle MedinaBronx, New York So it's been four months since my journey from San Diego through Baja California and back, with my fellow Baja 1 students. We experienced and learned so much every single day during our time spent together. However, I did not expect how much of the experience would be spent on self-reflection. There were a few memorable themes, which ran through Baja that stood out for me. They included stepping out of my comfort zone more often, questioning whether I am are acting as a “tourist” or “traveler”, and water conservation. As an introvert, it is too easy for me to stay in my cocoon of safety and not step out of my comfort zone. But, when I reflect back on my life there were several occasions that I could remember winning the challenge to expand my comfort zone, for instance getting my motorcycle license and my first motorcycle when I was in my 30s and riding motorcycles on race tracks, at speeds over 160 mph. So upon looking back on my experience in Baja, what would I consider the moment I really stepped out of my comfort zone? I would have to say, living almost my entire life in New York City, I never really thought about how much I take for granted turning on a faucet and expecting water to come out. While I may have dealt with the random challenge of hot water always being at my beckon, there was always water present somewhere nearby, when I wanted it. Living in a desert, without the luxury of running water, for just a week and a half, and being forced to plan ahead and bring water to brush my teeth, flush a toilet, or take a bucket bath, this is what continues to stand out the most for me. I am now grateful for our toilets that flush at the push of a lever, button… or even on their own. But, every morning when I brush my teeth, I think back to Baja, and I no longer let the water run in the sink as i used to, wasting it down the drain. I brush my teeth, smile and chuckle about the great times I had in Baja California with my classmates, and would do it all over again.
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