We Ran for Freedom

I have black lines on my body from the blend of smog and sweat, we ran for freedom.  Whistles blasted ‘til my left ear rang even louder, we ran for freedom.  Girls chanted and sang and shouted at the cars and buses as they passed by, we ran for freedom.  My lungs burned with the fumes of diesel exhaust as those buses blew plumes of black dust in our faces, we ran for freedom.  Sandwiched between the Taurus and the bus, we ran for freedom.  Old men passed by in their shiny cars and bellowed out the window, “Vive Guatemala!” throwing fists in the air, we ran for freedom.  Smiles donned by passersby spoke volumes and increased the volume of chanting, we ran for freedom.  Pride hung in the air as thick as that plume of exhaust, we ran for freedom.  Cars honked –ta-ta-te-te-ta- enough times to cause me to wonder if this is possibly a part of Guate’s national anthem, we ran for freedom.  Fireworks burst in the air as we crossed into Principe de Paz (It does not need to be independence day for fireworks, that is merely coincidence.), we ran for freedom.

It’s called the “freedom run” (from what I understand) and it’s tradition here in Guatemala the day before they celebrate their independence.  Tomorrow, 15 de septiembre, marks the 190th year for Guatemala and tonight, as we ran through the big, loud cuidad de Guatemala, you would-a-thunk it happened just 10 years ago.  These girls ran over 8km! (This is a correction-I was just informed it was 10 miles!) They are exhausted, SWEATY, hungry, and wearing enormous smiles.

The staff was AWESOME tonight as they ran alongside the girls, many girls taking turns carrying two torches on the way back home.  Tomorrow, some of their families will arrive to the home and celebrate while the girls perform traditional songs and dances.  It is a festive week here in Guate, unexpectedly festive, and I feel immense privilege at the opportunity to accompany these girls, staff, and Guatemalans as they celebrate their country’s freedom.