So many ways to say goodbye

Spanish, as in English, has many words for goodbye.

The little girls' goodbye... "We like you, Cat!"

There is the ever popular, “hasta la vista, baby” – not actually used, and I’m not actually a fan. 

 

There is “adios” – simply, goodbye.  Nothing else.  In this situation of saying goodbye to students who are on the brink of making decisions that will change their lives for good or for bad, “adios” is painful.  I don’t want to say that.

There is “hasta (insert time here – “manana”, “en la tarde”,etc)”- I can’t actually use that one in this case because my life has too many question marks to be specific. 

There is “hasta luego” – which means “see you later”.  I guess that one works, but seriously… when I live with abuelos who are old and have failing health or in a developing country that doesn’t have much police presence and my students live in bad, dangerous situations, I don’t want to use that.  “Luego” is too broad, too long, too much can change between now and then.  Too much will change between now and then.

Then, there is “hasta pronto” – “see you soon”.  That’s been my phrase of preference.  I don’t know when “soon” is, but I hope it’s sooner than “luego”.  I hope it’s in June or July when things slow down at Whitman and I’ll (Primero Dios) be able to return to visit my friends for a short time.  I hope that not too much will change, although it is inevitable that some things will. I hope that when I return in a time “pronto”, I will still be the person I have become here in Guatemala and that person will continue to love life, no matter the hardships or joys it brings.  I hope I still remember Spanish so I can talk to all these people I love once again.  I hope that my students have taken care of themselves and that those around them respect them, their bodies, their health, their personality, and their safety.  I can’t wait for “pronto” to come. 

Notes and letters are definitely my favorite way of giving and receiving love, and that has been hard for me here. But, I am now going home with at least 300 little notes from host sisters and students, and I can finally understand what they say.  More importantly, I was finally able to write notes to all the teachers and my friends here who I love and respect, and (hopefully) tell them how much I love and respect them. 

And in every note I signed, “Hasta Pronto”.  Goodbye, but not forever.

And, it’s also a hello…

As I look to next Thursday when my parents come, “Hasta Pronto”

As I look to August 14-16 and 20-22 when I’m in Gig Harbor, “Hasta Pronto”

As I look to August 17 when I start work at Whitman in Student Activities, “Hasta Pronto”

As I look at August 22 when the Wa-Hi girls start practicing, “Hasta Pronto (and start getting in shape now!)

Hasta Pronto, Guatemala…. “Ustedes se robaron mi corazón”

Hasta Pronto, USA…. “I’m excited to see what’s around the corner.”