Pajaro's Journey

Following the dinner conversation with this father, Pajaro went to his room to complete homework and to study for a test in his Clase de ciencia (Science Class).  His mind kept returning to his conversation with his father.

 

"I've got to stop this," Pajaro thought to himself, "I've got to make the grade on this test to pass comprehensives so I can move on in my studies."

 

Still, Pajaro found it very difficult to concentrate.  He found himself wondering about the Spanish culture he knew nothing of, but that was his heritage through his tatarabuelo.  He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't keep his mind off his Spanish heritage and on his science.  He'd seen maps.  How far could it be?  Determined to put his preoccupation with Spain to rest, he found that Spain was 5,414 miles away or roughly 12 hours by plane.  It could be dangerous as hitch hiking birds have been known to cause plane crashes, but it was something he felt he had to do.  Pajaro scratched out a note to his parents letting them know he was conducting a research project, left that note on his pillow and slipped out the window to begin his journey of self-discovery in Spain.

 

12 hours later, Pajaro found himself waking up tucked into a crevice on a plane on the tarmac in Madrid.  There were many birds around the tarmac pulling up worms after a mid-morning rain.  Pajaro flew over for a little breakfast and conversation.

 

"Buenos dias, senorita.  Me llamo Pajaro.  Soy de Guatemala," Pajaro introduced himself.  She asked what such a young bird was doing in Madrid by himself.  Pajaro told her that he was working on a school research project and had come to Spain to research his ancestry.  After scolding Pajaro, Senorita Aguila secured his parents phone numbers and she texted them immediately.  They called her back after about 2 minutes and scolded Pajaro as well.  There were no flights out of Guatemala or Madrid for the next 24 hours so Senorita Aguila promised to take care of Pajaro and to show him the best of Spain.

 

"I really lucked out," Pajaro thought to himself, "I'm sure I won't be as lucky once I get back home."

 

During the twenty four hours Pajaro had in Spain, he was determined to see and do as much as was possible for a small, young bird.  In order to save sightseeing energy, Pajaro and Srta. Aguila rode the bus into Madrid.  Pajaro was afraid to blink or he'd miss something. They visited the Puerta del Sol which was old enough to have been standing when his tatarabuela lived in Madrid.  Next stop was the Plaza Mayor which was built during his great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather's lifetime, but after he'd left Spain.  Interested in experiencing everything possible, Pajaro talked Srta. Aguila into letting him sample some tapas (appetizers) and churros (Spanish donuts) in a dumpster behind a cafe.  They were delicious, obviously since Srta. Aguila had to stand guard while he sampled or other birds would have snatched his portions.  Srta. Aguila let those birds know that he was visiting from Guatemala and that they were being rude.  They didn't seem to care and looked down their beaks at him.  He heard someone whisper "indio", another "mestizo" and another "mulatto".  

 

Pajaro said, "You're right.  All of you.  In the Americas, we are all different mixtures of many cultures.  I am proud of my ancestry...even the Spanish part."

 

One of the birds stayed behind while the others hopped away still tweeting about him.  She said, "You are right.  We Spanish birds have long been taught to look down on other ethnic groups.  I've never understood it.  In Spain we have two main Spanish types:  the northern fair haired Spaniards and the southern darker Moorish influenced Spaniards.  We've intermarried for a long time now and it is hard to find a truely fair haired Spaniard anymore.  It isn't how you look, but who you are that matters.  I like you, Pajaro!  I'm Nuria."

 

Nuria, Srta. Aguila and Pajaro spent the rest of the day together seeing a bullfight in a giant arena, checking out Real Madrid during one half of a soccer match, and visiting the Museo del Prado where he saw many paintings and discovered that he much prefered more modern Spanish painters to the ones painting during his great, great grandfather's time.  They even checked out the Metro, a subway running beneath Madrid, and ended up in front of the Palacio Real, the official home of the Spanish monarch.  Pajaro fell asleep that night too tired from a day of sightseeing to finish his wonderful paella, a Spanish dish of mixed meats, vegetables, rice and saffron.

 

The next morning, bright and early, Srta. Aguila had Pajaro back on the tarmac at Barajas Airport for his return flight to Guatemala.  Out from behind a small private plane marched Pajaro's mother and father and they were hopping mad.  They thanked Srta. Aguila for taking care of their over-zealous, over-imaginative and possibly overly brave offspring.  Srta. Aguila assured them that Pajaro was no trouble and that he now knew more about his heritage, possibly more than he wanted.  She also told them that she was impressed with the open minded, non-judgmental, and intelligent diplomat they were raising.  Pajaro was welcomed back at any time to see more of his ancestral home when he was older...and with permission.

 

 

Students:  Proceed to the conclusion page to find out the rest of the story and to learn what you will need to do to complete this project.