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Two quotes are on my mind today, the best things in life are free, and the closest people are never local. Today I have arrived in Manicaragua to volunteer and stay with a local family. It was a significant change from partying in Trinidad and going to the beach, to be here with family, it is 8 pm, and I am In bed because things are far from the house and there is nothing to do. It gives me a little panic, knowing that I will be here for eight days with nothings that I am used to. My mind is getting clear by the hour. I am using this opportunity to regain my balance, more real interaction, less internet, phone, cigarettes, alcohol that messes up my body and mind. The quietness is freaking me out. I almost feel like I do not know how to be alone anymore, that I have no messengers, texts, phone calls, it is just blank, my mind and attention is available. We have lost ourselves in our world, where everything is at our fingertips. We can any type of cheese or chocolate, we call or text anyone at any second. We keep buying things we need, and we do not. It is all about stuff these days. Life is losing its depth, human connection; we value the wrong things. Instead, we fill in the gaps with stuff. If I feel sad, I buy a new dress to feel better. We keep cluttering our space, our minds, bodies, and thoughts. Most of the products I used to eat, I can not buy here because it is difficult, and you are considered lucky if you find chocolate in the store, and if you do find it, it will taste magical. In the places we live, we forget that things could be different, that the stores can be empty or you might have to prioritize your money situation, and instead of coffee you need to buy water because that is what you need. I have revised my budgeting skills and realized that I hadn’t needed to cut my purchases, really. Every time I want something, I would buy it for myself, whether it is an expensive cheese, poke bowl, or a pair of shoes. Here I am facing several issues, the impossibility to buy anything and not having enough money to afford anything. We get comfortable our bank cards; we can pay, worst case we can borrow money from a friend or a relative. Here in Cuba, I have no choice but to make my budget work. I knew I was overspending, but it did not stop me from doing it. I did, however, realize It almost on time that I can not get any money here and have to live with what I have no matter what. I have to be smart with my money and spend it only on necessities. It is hard to drink water over coffee and eat street bread with Jamon over omelet with fruits and toast, but it is more possible than I thought. I do not need to spend on laundry when I can buy a detergent for 50 cents and wash my clothes by hand. We get too spoiled and too comfortable.