April 7.
An account of today’s adventures must begin with the fact that we were supposed to leave, walking, to go to the river at 8am. This of course meant that we didn’t leave until 9, and that we actually ended up driving in a pickup (aka riding in the back. Amusing that although I was never allowed to travel in the back of a pickup as a child (unless I was laying down in the back of the kelly’s truck and we were driving slow), it is now a common form of transportation).
As it is Semana Santa (the last week of the 40 days of lent or something), everyone is on vacation, so we went to the River Jiboa with my family, Jeremy, and some of my host mom’s friends. It was pretty exciting…Driving there was gorgeous. There was a breeze (as we were driving at least), and beautiful rolling hills. This country is honestly striking sometimes, and its beauty always seems to catch me off guard, just when I think I’ve become accustomed to the heat and the dust.
The rest of the tale relates more to insects and creatures than anything else. I’ll post photos….but we found some pretty fascinating bugs today down by the river. We had to hike down a rocky, steep path to get there, but it was well worth the trek. We found a poza (pool) and chilled out all day. My host mom brought sandwiches of lettuce, chicken, and this pink mayonnaise/miracle whip stuff, cookies, salva cola (sort of like RC cola, it’s the drink of choice here). She also brought instant coffee and a pot, so she actually built a fire and made coffee. However, she forgot to bring sugar, so I’m pretty sure Jeremy and I were the only ones who actually drank any.
At the beach, which was pretty dirty, but actually not as nasty as I’d expected, we hung out in little cabins covered with grass roofs. I think they had rentable hammocks there, because everyone had hammocks hanging in their little areas. (The hammock is the staple of every dwelling here. I can no longer imagine living without one). Jeremy and I spent hours swimming out in the ocean where few Salvadorans dared to go. Very few people here know how to swim, and the undertow is nothing to joke about, so people don’t generally venture beyond where the waves brake on the shore. Somehow I finally figured out how to float (thanks to the help of the saltwater), and floating around amongst the rise and fall of the water was one of the most relaxing things I’ve done since I’ve been here. Of course, we were both sunburned by the time the day was over, but it was worth it.> (end inserted update)
April 25.
It’s been a really long time since I tried to finish writing this…and an even longer time since I’ve been to an Internet café to post anything. Sorry about that. The last couple weeks of training were pretty hectic, and intense with emotions, as all these new friends we’ve made as trainees were suddenly scattered across the country. April 19th, we “swore in” as real volunteers. We took an oath…the same one the army kids take, in the American Embassy in El Salvador in the presence of the new American Ambassador (who can’t speak Spanish but is good friends with GW). It was a pretty weird experience, actually, but triumphant as well, because our training group still remains intact- no ones gone home. We have sort of a uniquely mellow and supportive group, which is nice. Also, among the 140 something countries that have a Peace Corps presence, El Sal has the highest rate of volunteers who extend their service for a third year, or more. That says a lot about how great Salvadorans are!
Back to swearing in, it was kind of weird, but I think most of us try to ignore the fact that we sort of signed away our lives and medical privacy (hipaa doesn’t really apply here anymore) to the US government, and focus on what we’re really here for- relationship building with some wonderful Salvadorans. After the official business was over, we partied it up till the wee hours of the night in a club in downtown El Sal amongst 100 other gringos.
That said, here I am, a real volunteer, finally in the little town where I’ll be for the next two years. It’s hot as hell (like 94 degrees in my room at night), but the quality of the people definitely makes up for that. I’ve only been here since Friday, so I don’t know a whole lot of people in this HUGE place yet, but so far so good. I’ve been doing house visits with one of my counterparts- a health promoter here. He was giving vaccinations to kids under 5, and I was checking water supplies for mosquito nesting grounds…and in general just talking to people and seeing what’s up. Everyone has been incredibly friendly, which helps with the sort of displaced feeling I’m left with every night.
My new “host mom” (I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to convince them that I’m capable of living on my own) is crazy-active. She’s a teacher in the nearby school, has a little tienda in her home (store that sells small items and candy and junkfood), as well as sells pupusas each night. So, I actually live in a really nice house, and it doesn’t feel so rural. I have an indoor toilet (that you have to poor water in). I still shower with a little bucket, but the cool water is necessary for the constant heat. We have electricity (fans are a definite plus). I have one host brother- 11 yrs old. Host mom’s husband has been in the states for 9 years (hence why she has such a nice home). I brought the dog. She’s in a biting phase right now…especially when all the high school boys come over at night to eat pupusas, she goes nuts and tries to chew on everyone. We’re still working on that.
Other than that, I can’t think of much to say. I’m going to post some older photos from the old place. I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to update this, but I’d imagine every two weeks or so. I have to take a bus for an hour to Corinto to use the internet (and visit Sam and Chris, who live there), so we’ll see. You should definitely write me though, and I’ll write back. Because I’ve got a lot of time on my hands now. Feel free to send magazines or books, too. When I visited the post office in the nearby pueblo with my friend Reagan (she’s a youth development volunteer working in the urban area), we walked into a room to meet a guy sitting at a desk. This room + this guy= the local postal system. So…he took our names and numbers and said he’d call if we had mail, and probably just deliver it to us, since “that other peace corps volunteer in the other town gets so many letters, people are always writing you guys.” Don’t let him down:
Melanie Patterson
Cantón Las Animas
Sociedad, Morazán
El Salvador, Centro América
Other than that…related to the past blog: The goat, who was injured, is now dead….it wasn’t pretty.
And, this is funny. Whenever I meet new people (especially cute old people), they are like, wow, you’re so young, what are you, 16? No…I’m 21… Oh, they say, so are you married? Do you have kids? No…(and before I can even say I’m engaged, --) Oh, so you’re here for two years? You’re totally going to marry a Salvadoran! You’re going to have beautiful children! Then when I try to explain that I’m already engaged to someone from “over there” (as they refer to the states), they’re like oh….so you don’t like Salvadoran guys then? … So that’s always a fun conversation. Lucky me, Matt’s coming to visit in about 7 weeks. That’s sort of added motivation for me to get a grip on my surroundings (for those of you who know how easily I get lost…even in Iowa City after I’d lived there for over 4 years…) and get to know a new community.
I’m going to wrap this up so I can go catch the bus and head up to Corinto (where, I’m told, it’s much cooler). Listen to some reggaeton and think of me (Rahul and Nicole are the only people who might do that), and write me letters! Seriously. Much love to all!
This photo cracked up the whole family....Sara is helping pluck feathers from the recently killed chicken...
This photo is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. Host mom Rina says the feet at the most delicious part.
The kids are coloring pictures to send to someone they´re dying to meet...
This is a horse spider. Large and scary as hell. I got pretty close to take this pic with a 28mm...you should be proud...
Chilling for a moment on the way back from the river. Host-cousin Chico.
Boys in the back of the pickup truck on a ride home.
Host sister Alba asleep on the floor, with another bed behind her.
Yup, that chicken´s dead. And boy was it delicious.
here´s my old house...cement front yard, pretty sweet!
this is the pila i can never seem to explain to people. dishes and laundry are done on the left, the water is stored in that middle part, and showers happen on the right.
pobre cabrito...he´s dead now... this is in the back yard of my old place
this is my old room and old mosquito net. i shared the room with a couple rats. matt will appreciate the fact that i put the patagonia sticker to good use. also note, peanut butter on bed. that little thing cost like 3 bucks!
hiking into river jiboa...so pretty!
