On one of the days our professor from the university in Medellín (UPB), Jean Paul, gave each of us a bookmark with a literary quote in Spanish on it. The one I got said: "Cuanto más grande es la herida, más privado es el dolor." In english: “The greater the wound, the more private the pain.”

The first time I read it, I decided that it meant the worse pain someone is in, the more they need to process it alone. While reflecting on our trip to Medellín and telling stories to friends and family I took a new meaning from it. Whenever I sat down to tell someone about the trip to Medellín I found myself starting and ending the story with "but really the best parts were the people in the group, the trip leaders, and how well we all got along". Above all, this trip reminded me about how amazing it is to have community.

The new meaning of the quote to me is that when we process pain alone, the wound is bigger and harder to heal. But when we process pain (or any emotion) among a community of friends, it makes it so much better. So I included that quote in each of my collage as a reminder that the best part about the trip was the little community we formed.

Huerta Guacamaya Farm, Medellín

Nelly’s Farm, Asociación de mujeres Campesinas, Medellín

In the city. Medellín