Good Bye – Hasta Luego – Auf Wiedersehn!

“I set out to give, I left feeling I had received so much. “

I spent five weeks in Playa del Carmen as a volunteer for Angel Notion, updating their website. My work included taking pictures, interviewing and writing about employees as well as temporary and long-term volunteers. The job was tailored to my passion as a photographer , web designer as well as writer. Once in a while I was allowed to help out in the diabetes clinic, when staff was short, and generally I was invited to do what I liked best.

Upon planning my trip it just seemed that everything I had wished for just fell into my lap: being in Playa del Carmen, volunteering and learning Spanish by speaking and listening.

My experience at this clinic was just like almost all volunteers describe after giving their time to a good cause:    WHAT AN ENRICHMENT!

Angel Notion is “magic”, like some say. The magic manifests itself through good spirit, dedication, the smiles in the patients’ faces, peacefullness in and around the building and a family atmosphere.

Starting with the wonderful volunteer advisor Lalo who picked me up from the airport, showed me my place and even organized a bicycle for me and took me back to the airport when my time was up; Nury – my Mexican “mum”, who taught me Spanish and Mexican cuisine and never missed giving me a hug and a deep smile, the kind of smile you only experience in Mexico.  My colleagues in the office, Dina, Margerita, Magdalena, Valeria, Paul, Mauricio, Aracelli were always wonderful companions.

Interviewing the entire staff working at Angel Notion gave me not only tremendous insight into the organization but a sense of deep satisfaction. I was not only impressed by everybody’s  knowledge, but  their deep and sincere dedication to the population of Playa del Carmen.

The smiles of patients waiting to be seen always filled me with great warmth and humility: there I was, the one who lacks nothing, being greeted with warmth and thankfulness. As a matter of fact, my smiles grew bigger by the day and I left this place with sunshine in my heart.

Now , back at home in Montreal, I am still continuing to work on updates of the site. The desire to stay connected just would not let me go.  Angel Notion has caught me in its grip.

I know I will return.

I embrace you with all my heart and will do whatever I can for a place that I call my second home, a place that has “adopted” me and embraced me like no other place has ever done.

Thank you Lavonna Redman for the seed you have put into Mexican soil. We will help to make it bear fruit for years to come.

Hasta luego-Auf Wiedersehen

Angelika