I took this photo of my host brother Raúl from when I went to Ecuador in the summer of 2010. He was 11 when this photo was taken. It was taken as he chopped onions in his parent's bedroom one day. Raúl taught me the value of friendship. Although he was young, he welcomed me as a friend and taught me all about the small rural community that he called home. Unlike many of the other people in the community, Raúl never made fun of me or made me feel like I was an outsider. Like most children, Raúl had a free spirit and a kind heart. These qualities seem so simple, but when I get into the hustle and bustle of my life as a student, worker, daughter, sister, and friend, I often forget to just relax and enjoy all of the excitement. It's easy for me to get lost in daily stresses, but this picture inspires me to stay loose and let my mind wander every once in a while.
In the words of Raul, "Tranquila, Señorita Samantha."
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