Today my eyes saw unknown ground. The fog that once lay so softly before my eyes slowly began to clear. I saw poverty, the sad reality of the world. I saw Brazilian poverty, people who had no food, no home, and no pride. The people looked as tough they were just waiting to die. Scraping by on food from other peoples trashcan's just to maybe see the sun for one more day. They looked at me. I looked at them. We saw each other as foreign objects. But most important I think deep down inside we saw each other as people. Their jealousy spiked through my eyes and caused some sadness inside. Reality once again checked me of my existence.
I continued to stare; their everlasting hope for a generous person to come by was evident. And fear for my own safety grew out of their obvious need. I tried to cover up the Polo symbol on my jacket and inconspicuously slipped my watch into my pocket. I turned my head back and looked straight ahead, still keeping track of "them" in the corner of my eye. I put on a look of confidence and didn't speak any English. Then I realized that the same fear I have of "them" is the same force that keeps "them" in poverty.