Today was our last day, and we mostly spent it recapping what we learned, and what we could take home with us.
We also reflected, a lot, on how alone we all feel.
One of my cohort members is the head of the ACLU in Texas. She’s deleting all of her work apps on her phone, before trying to enter the US, and has deleted all of her social media accounts – LinkedIn, Facebook, everything that could in any way tie her to her job.
Another is a city planner in Miami. He’s originally from Puerto Rico. He has a US passport (because, you know, Puerto Ricans all have US Passports. Because Puerto Rico is a part of the US). He’s traveling with a letter from his local mayor attesting to his legality, and copies of his past two expired passports, along with a legal looking letter that explains that yes, Puerto Ricans really do have US passports, legally.
A county employee from California is hispanic; she’s originally from Mexico City, and has been working in the states for 10 years on a visa, after she got her degree. She brought her passport and visa documents but also current bank statements, a copy of her apartment lease, and a screenshot of her on the county’s website. She actually flew out mid day; she has to be at work on Monday, and this gives her extra time in case she has trouble getting back in. This is our America.
Everyone is scared. Seeing all of this amazing work here is a bit hard. When my group left Berlin a few years ago, we were inspired with what was possible. This time, I think we’re all a bit sad, as we see what is possible. Governments that believe in sustainability and equality are a pretty amazing sight to behold.
A few people brought their kids, and/or partners, along for the week, which made the experience even more interesting.
It’s an intense experience, and you spend A LOT of time with people (which is a bit hard for us introverts), but it also means you come away with some fairly deep friendships.
Trash
In America, you “have to” have trash bins everywhere. If there isn’t somewhere easy, they’ll just drop it somewhere convenient. That could be on the ground outside. In a conference, if you don’t have a trash right by the coffee station, you’ll wind up with used stir sticks and half full sweetener packets all over the table.
It turns out, other societies are able to walk 30’ to a trash can. There were never any in the rooms we were in – they were always in a hallway in a central area.
I also didn’t see a single disposable cup. I looked up this brand, and thought it was especially interesting.
https://billiecup.com/our-history/
In general, everything was glassware. When we met in the SAWA developers office, they had enough espresso cups for all of us, and then after the presentation as we were talking, the developer (in his suit) started washing them as he answered questions.
I bought some cokes at the hotel, but no soda was ever served with meals. We usually had options of coffee or tea in morning meetings, and then in afternoons we had water or apple juice. The apple juice looks milkier than ours. I asked, and they said it just isn’t processed with added sugar like in the states.
All of the healthy choices this week offset (maybe) all of the waffles last week.
Tomorrow I’m on my own, just enjoying the city a bit more before I leave.
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