I Fell Asleep In The Andes Mountains (by Michael J. Seaberry)

I Fell Asleep In The Andes Mountains

Michael J. Seaberry

Last week, I reflected on my personal reasons for coming to Chile.

I remembered that I am not a savior and I am only here for self exploration.

It has been beautiful, painful, and emotional to an extent. 

The day after I posted the blog, my family took me to a city called Chillan, Chile. We took a two hour drive to the mountains and I found one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. 

We found a cave with a waterfall, created by glaciers years ago, a volcano that recently erupted, thermal volcanic waters that we swam in, a beautiful cabin where we shared many memories, and

an out of season ski resort where the slops were just muddy. 

For me, this was an existential moment in which I found myself. I saw my size relative to the mountains, the trees, and the even the rocks, and it reminded me that I am as miniscule as a mustard seed, yet just as powerful as the same. Falling asleep in the Andes mountains has proved to me that dreams really do come true and that the small thing learned in textbooks are real, living, and breathing. I think that´s the most important part for me to take away: textbook ideas are physical realities and we must continue to chase them. We often teach our students from a perspective that we do not fully understand because we, ourselves, often do not take moments to grasp the ideas. We show them the Andes mountains and tell them of the people down there, yet never take a moment to truly explore those people, places, and things, leaving the lessons taught as a fantasy in their minds. We must travel. We must seek. We must believe. You can be a lightbulb in their minds and create connections that lead to a life of fullfilment for them.  

I hope that in the course of your teaching, administrating, working, or whatever it is that you do, you remember to travel. Of course, I know that due to finance and time we cannot all travel to the places we teach about, but it only takes a moment to dive a little deeper. Connecting with another country through Skype, FaceTime, phone calls, emails, etc. Create bigger experiences for the students you work with. Making connections with the things we teach are extremely important in conveying those ideas to youth. 

Even though I may not teach Geography, per se, this experience taught me that, through my travels, I can make a greater connection to humanism.

 Other cultures, people, and places are not only things to learn about. They are here to connect with. 

For the rest of my life, I will share the story of how I fell asleep in the Andes Mountains.