Brett

My First Service Trip 

It was a rainy morning at Scituate High School at 7:30. I was not going through the main entrance I normally go to, instead, I went to the cafeteria entrance. I met up with peers that I was going to spend my Spring Vacation with. When I saw my former history teacher, Mr.Brogna, I was comforted. This is because I admired him as a teacher and he had gone on the trip before with Ms.Hallihan. Mr.Kovach a French teacher joined Ms.Hallihan, my algebra teacher at the time and the organizer of the trip. Mr. Kovach had gone on service trips before he came to my high school. It was comforting to know that someone that had an interest in language, culture and service trips was going on the trip. The main conflict I encountered was adjusting socially to the other members of the group. I only knew four students then, and they were only acquaintances. I never went on a service trip before this experience. I chose to go for many reasons. I wanted to use my Spanish skills as I had only used them in school. I also wanted a chance to experience Hispanic culture, as I learned about it from a textbook and rarely had the chance to be apart of it. I stayed with my Mom until I started my new experience.  

I put my luggage on a bus and tried to relax on the way to Logan Airport. I didn't want to talk to anyone as I didn't feel close to many of my peers. Before I knew it we checked in our bags and went through security. I talked with chaperons and my peers until we had to leave to go on another flight to Texas. 

Finally we were at the airport in Puebla, Mexico. I remember being so excited for what lay ahead and anxious that I just wanted to be there already. I remember leaving the airport in Puebla, when one of my acquaintances, Alex, said that he was having flashbacks from his service trip to Guatemala. I asked him whether that was a good thing or a bad thing and he said it was a good thing. I didn't know what to make of that besides looking forward to the week ahead. This was the beginning of my service trip.   

Next, we went to the house that we were staying in which belonged to a man named Arturo Vela, who was organizing the service. All the guys stayed in one big room with bunk beds, a tiled floor, a balcony and a ladder to the roof. Based on the living arrangements, the people I was living with and the change in weather, I could tell pretty quickly that I wasn't in the U.S. anymore. 

Arturo's mission was to focus on the environment. I wanted to help complete his mission, as I always have thought of others before I thought of myself, and doing a service trip was a great way to do so. He wanted to grow organic crops on his land. When we got there, he had an ecological center which would one day be his office. Our goal was to ultimately better the environment. There were numerous tasks to reach the goal, one was to water the various plants. We sifted the dirt into soil allowing crops to grow better. After that we evened out the area, so the sheets of grass could be planted. We moved tons of bricks that would be used for the ecological center. Overall these activities tired us out as we had a lot to do. I recall how I wouldn't be able to do a task if I wasn't hydrated or didn't take a break once in a while, which was one of the consequences of being in a different work environment and climate. As the chaperones reminded us to drink water, I took their advice. While working, I noticed some students worked more than others, which was aggravating. As a result, I learned that we certainly weren't going to make progress if we didn't do so as a team.  

Being in a different environment, I got closer to other people after a couple of days. For example, Genna, Cecily, Natalie and I talked about the experiences we had over the past two days. None of us had our cell phones. We relied on one another for support, entertainment and conversation. I understood that this was an experience only we could relate to, no one else. It was impacting me so much simply because I was doing something so different when compared to my life in the States. One of the things I learned about Hispanic culture is that they often think in the present moment, trying to make the most of it. As opposed to our American society which is always thinking about the future. This way of life made me think about how time impacted me. In the United States, my daily schedule revolves around the time of day. Prior to the trip, I used to check my cell phone constantly to see what I needed to do next. In Mexico, time doesn’t play an important role in daily living. Most Pueblans don't own a cell phone. Their daily routines are not based on what time of day it is: Pueblans make the most of the present moment. I always felt that I was in the moment there. 

Near the end of the trip, Arturo brought us to various tourist destinations. We went to both Cholula and Puebla City visiting three different cathedrals. The architecture and very single detail that was put into the making of these buildings was simply astonishing. I learned how the cathedrals took hundreds of years to build. We went to see the pyramids and the catacombs in Cholula. It is the largest pyramid in the world and was occupied by the Aztecs. We climbed to the top where there was an amazing view of the town. It was interesting that the Conquistadors built a cathedral on a hill which was higher than the pyramid. This was to show their power over the natives. Traveling made many memories for me, as it gave me perspectives on history and culture. 

In both Cholula and Puebla, there were a bunch of shops selling jewelry, Day of the Dead skulls, plates and other products. I bought a Day of the Dead skull, jewelry for my sisters, a glass globe and some plates. I still cherish the skull to this day. It is ceramic and has a unique pattern. The plates have an oval shape and also have unique patterns around the outside. One of the two says "Mi casa es tu casa", and the second says "La casa de mis abuelos". The plates and the skull are pieces of art that are from another culture but also made such an impact on me. Just being in the market was different, in a positive way. This was one of the instances when I had to use my Spanish. It wasn't easy thinking of what I wanted to say instantly and correctly; I was proud of myself for that. Traveling to those places and being in situations that I had not encountered before has given me important perspectives on life, the world, and different cultures. 

This service trip was such a great opportunity as I managed to do so much in just a week. I got closer to others as the trip went on and can call them my friends now. Not only did I learn about another culture, make memories of experiences with people I didn't feel comfortable before the trip, help the environment, successfully communicate in Spanish yet I got an outcome that I never could have imagined. What I learned from his experience, is to take advantage of opportunities. 

My Hometown, Scituate 

The town of Scituate, Massachusetts is a small New England town on the Cape Cod Bay. Scituate is halfway between Plymouth and Boston. The town was incorporated in 1636. The town is home to many beaches, Egypt, Hummarock, Minot, and Peggotty are to name a few. These beaches highlight the town, along with a few other places. Some of those are the Harbor, North Scituate, the lighthouse, the jetty and Lawson tower.  

The geography is certainly unique in the town. The town is split into villages, Green Bush, the Harbor, Humarock, Egypt, North Scituate, Minot, and the West End. For physical geography, the town has beaches, forests, and marsh. Most of the Scituate beaches are similar to other New England beaches. They have tons of seaweed, lots of rocks, a sea breeze and the cold Atlantic Ocean. Egypt Beach, in particular, is different compared to the other Scituate beaches as it has a natural barrier of rocks. These beaches may not be the best beaches in the world, but they are the beaches that I have memories of, some of the first I have ever encountered. According to the book "Old Scituate" published by the daughters of the American revolution in 1921, the great storm of 1898 changed the geography of third and fourth cliff. This effected how people traveled to Humarock, as people now have to travel through Marshfield, to get to there.
 Another storm that had a huge affect on the town was the blizzard of 1978. Scituate.gov. said  "a snowstorm coupled with astronomically high tides resulted in the worst coastal flooding ever recorded here. The flooding continued through two days of tide cycles for four successive high tides, driving hundreds of people from their coastal homes, leaving their houses damaged or destroyed. The storm caused millions of dollars in damage. The affects have not been forgotten." I may not have been alive during the blizzard but I believe that this all happened. I have seen Scituate through many storms with mother nature at its worse and its best, ultimately showing Scituate to be in unique location.   

Scituate isn't just known for its nature but also the development in town. The Harbor is the most urbanized part of town, with restaurants, the Scituate Inn, the movie theater and other town stores looking out to the ocean. The Scituate movie theater is a particular place that I won't ever forget. It could only show two movies but it's what I have memories of in High School. I remember going to it because it was close and I could go out with my friends to get dinner after, one place, in particular, was at TKO O'Malleys, a local restaurant favorite. North Scituate is the only other business district of the town with a few restaurants and the Scituate Health Mart. There is a new bike path from North Scituate leading to Minot beach, which I use consistently during the summer with the great weather and the availability to get some exercise in. Minot is the largest beach in town, with a sight of the Minot lighthouse from a far. Another view is at a certain point past the beach that gives a small glimpse of Boston right near the entrance to the glades. The Lighthouse and the jetty are right next to each other, near the harbor. Both offering great outlooks of the sea. My most fond memory of the lighthouse is when I went on a field trip for my photography class there. It was simply a great place to relax and do something I love,  

especially when that was one of the few days with great weather in New England. The jetty is a great place to go for a relaxing walk after a sight of the lighthouse.  Humarock is a part of town I feel I didn't spend too much time in however my uncle Jack is a firefighter there, which goes to show how people can be more connected to the town than I thought. One more highlight is Lawson tower which is unique because it was built in 1903 to hide a water tower and is still standing today. The tower is 153 feet tall and allows visitors to come to the top a few times each year. I've never been inside the tower however it is on my Scituate bucket list. I have always liked that there is a piece of history still there today. The West End is the West End of Town, hence its name. It is the part of town that has many neighborhoods connecting Scituate to Norwell and is heavily forested. This is another part of town that I don't have much experience with besides one of my friends graduation parties at her house, which was pretty fun. These are all places that most people in town have a connection with or know of it.  

There are some places in town that less people know of or don't have a personal connection with.However, I do have a personal connection with some places that aren't as well known. This is seen in the few Scituate trails, I have a connection with two: Aj McEachern trail and the Ellis Property. Aj McEachern is another one of the places I went to for my photography field trip. I remember so many details of it as it is a nice scenic and relaxing place. The Ellis property is very close to my house which allowed me to do my running for Cross Country, Winter and Spring Track there. I also did a good amount of cycling there too. This place is special to me as I recall the activities I did for fun. As I did running sports for four years in high school I got to know the streets and layout of town with my teammates which I enjoyed being with. Another place that isn't a focus in town but I also have a special connection with is my   

house. My house  is a colonial which was built in 1849. The first thing I describe to people about my house is the age, which is unique to me. My parents wanted to buy a historical house in Scituate to properly take care of and respect, as  a result, I am happy they did this as I'm literally living in history.  

As everyone can connect to so many places in town, Scituate's' culture is certainly a small town feel. The transportation in town is a train and a bus. The train stops in both Greenbush and North Scituate and also brings passengers to Boston. Because of so many Scituate residents working in Boston but living in the town, Scituate is seen as a bedroom community. There isn't much transportation in town, but there is a community, which is seen in the four public elementary schools, the middle school, and the High School. As a student in Scituate Public Schools for 12 years, I felt that I knew my whole graduating class of 220 students. I recall in High School how I would have small classes of thirty students at most, would always see the same people a couple time a day or throughout the week. I always enjoyed this small community, so that way I would always have the comfort of seeing someone I knew. To me, Scituate has a strong mix of opportunity and quaintness. There isn't too much activity like there is in Boston, yet it certainly has more opportunity compared to rural Vermont. I know some people that didn't enjoy growing up in the town, I imagine they wanted to be in the big city, where there is opportunity and the availability to avoid people they disliked. 

Scituate's culture is a result of its people which had a population of  18,133 in 2010. One of the most interesting demographics of Scituate is that the people are Irish, as there was a large immigration to Scituate. It has the title of "the most Irish town in America" according to the Scituate Chamber of Commerce.  This makes me content that I can relate my heritage to others,  

this is what I call my community. Early settlers fished, lobstered and collected sea moss. The Town even has an Irish Mossing Museum that shows the history of the industry. Today you can still see a fleet of fishing boats and lobster boats in Scituate Harbor. The original settlers were from Kent, England and were known as the "Men of Kent". There is a cemetery in town where the early settlers are buried. Since the town is so small we have a town hall which I'm content with, as I think it makes more sense to have as oppose to a representative government. I just voted in my town this month, which I'm satisfied with as I can choose my elected officials. After living in town all my life I know so many people that have lived their whole lives there. As I reflect on this I know that everyone that has lived there their whole lives has been for the same reasons I enjoy living there.  

Works Cited 

Daughters of The American Revolution, Old Scitate, 1978, Print 

Looking Back at the Blizzard of 1978. Town of Scituate Massachusetts, 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2016. <http://www.scituatema.gov/flood-hazard-mitigation/pages/looking-back-at-the-blizzard-of-1978>. 

Scituate Named "Most Irish Town. Scituate Chamber of Commerce, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016. <http://scituatechamber.org/news/107-scituate-named-most-irish-town.html>.