Volunteering at Feria de Salud- Experience

(This is going to be my first blog. Im sorry if its so long!!! you can just skip around if you feel like it.)

Waking up at 8:00 a.m on a Friday morning is probably not in the minds of many people but for me, well lets just say it was an opportunity to help out. On Friday was the first year for "La Feria de Salud" being hosted in El Paso, it consisted of 40 Mexican-native healers raging from Massagists, Raikus, Natural Remedies (teas/herbists), "Limpias" for the body, and even Acupuncture. Entry was free and donations were greatly appreciated for these Healers, the crowd consisted of young energy-filled children, to the elderly who walked about or were assisted by there own children. There were also many students from UMC which surprised me because I didnt know that lets just say "Scientists" weren't into natural remedies, it reminded me of a time when I watched the news and a mother desperate for her child's well-being wanted to bring him to Mexico for a natural cure, but was halted by officials because she "kidnapped her son and put his life at risk" so they had to continue the Help he was receiving, but also killing him.

I brought my friends as well, since I did not want to be alone, but also for them to get experience and hours to be able to graduate, but truth be told, we were separated at some point. Both my friends stayed together the whole time, helping to ladies sell snacks and waters,  while I was put to sell "Savilas" or Aloe Veras. My table was next to theirs, still separated by a vending machine so I wasnt able to make constant contact, I was alright with it though. Many passed by my table, but the ones whom bought the most were old women with their daughters and were happy to see some of these young plants. Most froze during last years freeze (including mine) so they took the chance to re-start again and grow these curing plants. A lot of you might know these plants and what "miracles" they can posses, Grandma or mom might have put some on a cut, or a rash, acne-filled face or a burn, and they worked wonders, even my mom and my eldest sister told me to buy one, but they all sold out. After that, I was moved to fill bags for the Healers, but a mistake I made was to give four of them away, of course the lady did not tell me not too, but it was a good thing I did before I gave more away and run out. At the same time two belly dancers were dancing with music to me did not fit the dance or the routine, but that is just my opinion, they danced right in front of me... it was hard to avoid that staring feeling from them (they were looking behind me though) and yet still I dont like attention so I just kept on filling up the "goody bags" with a shirt, pencil, pen/highlighter and a clip that read 2010. Once I was done with those, I wanted to do something else so I went up to Andrea (the main person who I kept contact with) and asked her if she needed any assistance, in the end i took her spot in directing the people inside of what service they wanted to get (Massages, Limpias, Natural remedies/Herbs, Raiku, or Acupuncture) and just asked them if they registered, take a seat, or if they needed anything in particular and tell them what the fair was all about. A different volunteer took the spot of the main planner (she left with a friend) and we started to talk about the fair, to him getting a massage and trying to convince me to get one, (i never did in the end) where we were from, the Higgs Boson "Gods particle" (this particle is in no way associated with god or religion, it was just the finding of the last proton on earth and clue to a step closer in how we were created/formed) and even on how younger generations are becoming "rude" "disrespectful" etc. We both agreed that Internet was the number one reason of this, you can insult someone without trying, and also on the parents, who just drop off their kids at school thinking that it is a day-care and everything will be all right. His wife is also the Orchestra teacher at my High School I might even say "what a small world". In the end he went to go and get his Acupuncture and a lady replaced his spot.

It was difficult to start a conversation with the lady, and was weird for me since I am shy, so instead I spotted an old lady with lipstick out of her lip lines, blush all over and "eye-popping" eye shadow with worn out life-less hair looking flustered and annoyed, I went up to her and asked her what was the matter, she said she was waiting for someone but that person hadnt arrived. She kept saying for me to tell someone to look for the person, but instead i offered since the crowd was starting to die out. I did find the person for her, but the lady was getting a "limpia" so I left and went back to the older lady. I told her the situation and seemed to calm down a bit, but she still continued talking to me, how I looked like her niece and about her daughter as well. She then let me go and I went back to Andrea and asked her if she needed anymore help, she didnt need any more volunteers to go around, especially since they were starting to close down, but she offered if I wanted to be her shadow, and I accepted. Even though it was for a short time it was nice to see a few of the healers close up, their worn out faces along with years of experience in their hands they still showed bright filled eyes along with a smile and a few more wrinkles to appreciate and be able to help others in need. After this it was time to leave so my friends came and went with me and I started to part ways with a few of the volunteers, my friends kept joking around how I made new friends and abandoned them instead, but of course it wasnt true.

After my sister picked us up, like always me and my friends call out any "Buggies" we see and yell "Punch buggy Safety belt!" like little kids and attempt to hit each other or defend ourselves with the invisible barrier against those punches. I had a great day and experience volunteering at the Fair, and I hope that they will continue it on in next years and would recommend if you are a very smiling person in any situation till your cheeks practically might burst from the smiling, like me, or just need hours to complete for school. No matter what the need we must all take the chance to volunteer and be part of something, if not your just wasting your life away and not see first-hand how strangers can do a big difference in many peoples lives.

(might as well have been a story.... sorry!)