I'm home...though I'm torn now on what the definition of home really is. I miss El Salvador deeply, and wish I could be there for another four months with all of my wonderful classmates/friends/family.
I recently emailed Sor to get an update on Cedro. And I plan on sending my host family something in the mail very soon.
Happy New Year everyone!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Two more weeks
Family weekend is over and there are only a little over two weeks left in the program. I am both excited and nervous to come home. I am super busy with projects, papers, and goodbyes, and it is a little overwhelming. Know that I look forward to seeing you all very soon and celebrating the holidays in the States.
Here are some videos from the past week. The first is of Talticpac, an indigenous band who use prehistoric instruments. And the other video is of a dance competition between the local high schools. It took place in the plaza closest to my casa.
Talticpac
Dance-off
Besitos desde El Sal.
P.S.
I need coffee requests. I'll do my best to bring home at least 10 bags and distribute them.
Here are some videos from the past week. The first is of Talticpac, an indigenous band who use prehistoric instruments. And the other video is of a dance competition between the local high schools. It took place in the plaza closest to my casa.
Talticpac
Dance-off
Besitos desde El Sal.
P.S.
I need coffee requests. I'll do my best to bring home at least 10 bags and distribute them.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Celebration of the Jesuit Martyrs
Vigila video
Martyr Celebration
Last weekend we participated in many activities surrounding the celebration of the death of the Jesuit martyrs: soccer tourney, alfombra, vigila and giant mass service.
*The girls' soccer team won the tourney--trophy and everything :)
Martyr Celebration
Last weekend we participated in many activities surrounding the celebration of the death of the Jesuit martyrs: soccer tourney, alfombra, vigila and giant mass service.
*The girls' soccer team won the tourney--trophy and everything :)
Vacation pt. 1
Our adventure to Guatemala began at 430am with a bus ride to Guatemala City. 5 hours later we arrived, and the quickly boarded another bus to Puerto Barrios, a small port town in Guatemala. There wasn’t much in Puerto Barrios except for some small hostels, and a group of local fisherman hanging around. That night we stayed in Hostel Europa 2, which was actually very nice and comfortable. The hostel owner even drove us to get dinner at a local restaurant that specialized in giant tortillas de harina filled with steak, onion, potato, and a special sauce called chimichurri….so delicious! The following morning we got up and somehow managed to find a boat that would take us for a decent price to Punta Gorda, Belize. Though our captain did mention Belize was on hurricane alert, he claimed he had permission from the PG port that we were allowed to make the trip. An hour and a half later, on a very scary boat ride (the boat had a huge crack down the middle that would spread apart a little every time we hit a wave) we arrived to a very quiet PG. We were then greeted by the dock daddy that Belize was indeed on hurricane alert, and no one was supposed to enter the country (our captain lied), he would though make an exception for our small group. After customs, we walked through a very desolate PG, no one on the streets, all the stores closed, some people boarding up their houses getting ready for the storm. We then found our hotel where we planned to stay, but they quickly turned us away afraid their hostel wouldn’t be safe enough through the storm. About an hour later, and after we’d walked the entire town of Punta Gorda we found another hostel that would take us in the at least the next two nights. Shortly after we’d settled in and hit up the local grocery store for some ramen(easy, cheap dinner) and bottled water, the electricity and water decided to go out…so no ramen for dinner, or cable television to watch Monday night football. That night we ended up playing Bananagrams with a flashlight, told each other riddles, and once the boys left for their room, us girls fell asleep while having girl talk. It really wasn’t so bad, minus the fact that we already hadn’t showered in two, and in some cases, three days.
The next morning we awoke to still no electricity and water, but to a much more lively PG. The hurricane hit Belize City pretty hard, but it didn’t even sprinkle where we were. Everyone was outside walking around enjoying the sun, and another free day of work. Bent on not spending another day indoors, the boys volunteered to go find something for our group to do. A little later they returned with news that they’d met a man under the tree by the Texaco named Jon Usher(Yon Usha) who claimed he could find us a boat that would take us to a private island for the day for a very good price. With no other plans until the next day, as a group we agreed to give Jon Usher, who later asked us to call him Captain Dreads, a go. We lathered up in 50spf, put our bathing suits on, grabbed our towels and some pbj sandwiches for the trip. Shortly after we found Jon Usher waiting for us under the tree by the Texaco with a boat rigged up to the dock. As we approached the dock Jon Usher explained that although everyone called him Captain Dreads he would not be riding with us today, but rather Captain Crunch, Nightlife and Youngster would be our captain and dive instructors. Though still a little hesitant, but pumped about the cheap price, we climbed aboard the small fishing boat, just big enough for our group of ten(this is now sketchy boat ride number two). Not thirty minutes later we pulled up to a dock of the most picturesque island I have every seen. It was covered in palm trees, the whitest sand, and about ten “honeymoon style” huts because of the only hotel on the island, Belize Lodge. We had the entire island to ourselves for the next three hours. We spent the day swimming and collecting shells and attempting to take group pictures because there was no one else to do so. About an hour and a half in, our captains returned and asked if we’d like to join them for some conch diving. Of course we agreed and all hopped in. The next hour consisted of snorkeling in water so clear you could see the bottom that was twelve feet below us, and could make out the line of conch shells, and star fish. We were in heaven. And we all took turns diving for the different creatures.
Our visit in Belize wrapped up that night with some socializing with the other JVs and Lindsay’s Belizean friends she had met over four years ago while on a delegation. We all had a beer and simply enjoyed each other’s company. We were in bed by 10pm because we had to be up to catch our 6am bus to Delmopan, to start our journey to Tikal, Guatemala.
The next morning we awoke to still no electricity and water, but to a much more lively PG. The hurricane hit Belize City pretty hard, but it didn’t even sprinkle where we were. Everyone was outside walking around enjoying the sun, and another free day of work. Bent on not spending another day indoors, the boys volunteered to go find something for our group to do. A little later they returned with news that they’d met a man under the tree by the Texaco named Jon Usher(Yon Usha) who claimed he could find us a boat that would take us to a private island for the day for a very good price. With no other plans until the next day, as a group we agreed to give Jon Usher, who later asked us to call him Captain Dreads, a go. We lathered up in 50spf, put our bathing suits on, grabbed our towels and some pbj sandwiches for the trip. Shortly after we found Jon Usher waiting for us under the tree by the Texaco with a boat rigged up to the dock. As we approached the dock Jon Usher explained that although everyone called him Captain Dreads he would not be riding with us today, but rather Captain Crunch, Nightlife and Youngster would be our captain and dive instructors. Though still a little hesitant, but pumped about the cheap price, we climbed aboard the small fishing boat, just big enough for our group of ten(this is now sketchy boat ride number two). Not thirty minutes later we pulled up to a dock of the most picturesque island I have every seen. It was covered in palm trees, the whitest sand, and about ten “honeymoon style” huts because of the only hotel on the island, Belize Lodge. We had the entire island to ourselves for the next three hours. We spent the day swimming and collecting shells and attempting to take group pictures because there was no one else to do so. About an hour and a half in, our captains returned and asked if we’d like to join them for some conch diving. Of course we agreed and all hopped in. The next hour consisted of snorkeling in water so clear you could see the bottom that was twelve feet below us, and could make out the line of conch shells, and star fish. We were in heaven. And we all took turns diving for the different creatures.
Our visit in Belize wrapped up that night with some socializing with the other JVs and Lindsay’s Belizean friends she had met over four years ago while on a delegation. We all had a beer and simply enjoyed each other’s company. We were in bed by 10pm because we had to be up to catch our 6am bus to Delmopan, to start our journey to Tikal, Guatemala.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Long overdue pt. 2
Some other things I've done recently...
1) Climbed a Volcano called Izalco, that erupted last in 1932.
2) Been to two funerals and a burial.
3) Held many, many, many, new babies.
4) Traveled to San Miguel for a weekend.
5) Mastered pupusa and tortilla making.
6) Also mastered the art of pila showering.
7) Gotten a haircut.
8) Bartered in the artisan market.
9) Caught a lizard.
10) Loved...still loving.
Volcano video
River in Carasque
1) Climbed a Volcano called Izalco, that erupted last in 1932.
2) Been to two funerals and a burial.
3) Held many, many, many, new babies.
4) Traveled to San Miguel for a weekend.
5) Mastered pupusa and tortilla making.
6) Also mastered the art of pila showering.
7) Gotten a haircut.
8) Bartered in the artisan market.
9) Caught a lizard.
10) Loved...still loving.
Volcano video
River in Carasque
Long overdue
I’m so sorry for not writing for so long. If I’m honest I’ve been avoiding the update. Since being here, I’ve felt so overwhelmed by EVERTHING, good and “bad”, though I hesitate to use either of those words. I’m overwhelmed mostly by my lack of alone time, and chance to really process and think…hence my lack of desire and really, just, time, to write on this blog. So much has happened since I last wrote—please see my pictures and videos on facebook if you can, because there is just no way to do any of those experiences justice otherwise.
This past week marks my half-way point of sorts…though I feel like I am more than half-way. Every day since this realization has flown by even faster. Reflecting back on my week, there is just so much that I did and experienced and I haven’t even had time to process it all. Hopefully this upcoming week of vacation in Belize and Guatemala will allow for some good journaling and contemplation. I leave tomorrow morning at 4:45am to catch my first bus to Guatemala City at 6am. From there I have another bus to Puerto Barrios, where I’m staying the night, and then catching a ferry to Punta Gorda in the morning. We have about two and a half days in Belize, which I plan to spend on the beach, or on a boat tour to a private island. From Belize, we are going to back track through Guatemala, and then spend two days in Tichal to see the biggest ruins in all Central America. Then another long bus ride from Tichal to Guatemala City, and then Guatemala City to home next Sunday.
Last week was especially interesting because I did not make it to praxis once. The week before, the last Wednesday we were at the Centro specifically, Cedro experienced a very intentional act of violence. Just an hour after we had left, the only bus that reaches Cedro was hijacked, and three men were shot and killed, and another injured. Though we did not know the men involved, there were mothers of some of the kids from our Centro at the scene. Supposedly the killings were specific in who the shots were directed towards, suggesting it was revenge, drug or perhaps gang related. No one still seems to know. The following Friday was the funeral for the three that died. But, early that morning, another act of violence occurred. Not related, another person shot at a pickup truck carrying multiple passengers in the back. The shots were aimed at the driver(he was taking away business from the bus system?), but of course those injured were three passengers in the back, an old woman and two young boys. No one was killed, but as far as I know, they are all still in the hospital recovering. The older woman is also the mother in law of one of the teachers we work with at the Centro. Because all of this happened at the end of the week, as a praxis group we decided to not go to Cedro on Monday. Even though the mountain was covered in troops and police investigating, we still did not feel completely safe and decided Cedro needed a “normal” day before we could return.
Once Wednesday arrived, we were ready to go. We’d sat with and reflected on the violence, prepared for our classes, and were excited to see our kids and families. However, once again we did not go to praxis. Soeur Rosa, our praxis coordinator called and informed us that her aunt had died, and since neither she not Joaquin would be going to Cedro, either could we. She then invited us to the funeral for her aunt, and of course we accepted. We wanted to be supportive of her as possible. So with a free morning before the funeral, Quentin, Chris and I decided to go visit the church where Arch Bishop Romero(leader in Liberation Theology, supporter of the poor, shot at the beginning of the Civil War) was shot and killed. We thought it was appropriate because of the all the death and violence we’d experienced first hand in the past few days. I found myself really thinking about Romero and his cause, and his desire to truly be apart of the Salvadoran reality…which got him killed. How much can I be apart of the Salvadoran reality as a young gringa from Indiana?
At spirituality night on Thursday we were encouraged to reflect on some words that we’ve been throwing around since being here. My word happened to be solidarity, which I thought was extremely fitting. Can I truly live in solidarity with Salvadorans? What does that look like? Have I been doing that already? How can I continue to do so, and improve on this?
Like I said before…so overwhelmed by thoughts and difficult questions, but I continue to grow and discover and learn so much while I’m here. I honestly never want this experience to end.
I miss you all. I can’t wait to share pictures and stories with you about Belize and Guatemala. ****My family will be here in less than a month. I CANNOT WAIT.
“The first duty of love is to listen.”
Katy
This past week marks my half-way point of sorts…though I feel like I am more than half-way. Every day since this realization has flown by even faster. Reflecting back on my week, there is just so much that I did and experienced and I haven’t even had time to process it all. Hopefully this upcoming week of vacation in Belize and Guatemala will allow for some good journaling and contemplation. I leave tomorrow morning at 4:45am to catch my first bus to Guatemala City at 6am. From there I have another bus to Puerto Barrios, where I’m staying the night, and then catching a ferry to Punta Gorda in the morning. We have about two and a half days in Belize, which I plan to spend on the beach, or on a boat tour to a private island. From Belize, we are going to back track through Guatemala, and then spend two days in Tichal to see the biggest ruins in all Central America. Then another long bus ride from Tichal to Guatemala City, and then Guatemala City to home next Sunday.
Last week was especially interesting because I did not make it to praxis once. The week before, the last Wednesday we were at the Centro specifically, Cedro experienced a very intentional act of violence. Just an hour after we had left, the only bus that reaches Cedro was hijacked, and three men were shot and killed, and another injured. Though we did not know the men involved, there were mothers of some of the kids from our Centro at the scene. Supposedly the killings were specific in who the shots were directed towards, suggesting it was revenge, drug or perhaps gang related. No one still seems to know. The following Friday was the funeral for the three that died. But, early that morning, another act of violence occurred. Not related, another person shot at a pickup truck carrying multiple passengers in the back. The shots were aimed at the driver(he was taking away business from the bus system?), but of course those injured were three passengers in the back, an old woman and two young boys. No one was killed, but as far as I know, they are all still in the hospital recovering. The older woman is also the mother in law of one of the teachers we work with at the Centro. Because all of this happened at the end of the week, as a praxis group we decided to not go to Cedro on Monday. Even though the mountain was covered in troops and police investigating, we still did not feel completely safe and decided Cedro needed a “normal” day before we could return.
Once Wednesday arrived, we were ready to go. We’d sat with and reflected on the violence, prepared for our classes, and were excited to see our kids and families. However, once again we did not go to praxis. Soeur Rosa, our praxis coordinator called and informed us that her aunt had died, and since neither she not Joaquin would be going to Cedro, either could we. She then invited us to the funeral for her aunt, and of course we accepted. We wanted to be supportive of her as possible. So with a free morning before the funeral, Quentin, Chris and I decided to go visit the church where Arch Bishop Romero(leader in Liberation Theology, supporter of the poor, shot at the beginning of the Civil War) was shot and killed. We thought it was appropriate because of the all the death and violence we’d experienced first hand in the past few days. I found myself really thinking about Romero and his cause, and his desire to truly be apart of the Salvadoran reality…which got him killed. How much can I be apart of the Salvadoran reality as a young gringa from Indiana?
At spirituality night on Thursday we were encouraged to reflect on some words that we’ve been throwing around since being here. My word happened to be solidarity, which I thought was extremely fitting. Can I truly live in solidarity with Salvadorans? What does that look like? Have I been doing that already? How can I continue to do so, and improve on this?
Like I said before…so overwhelmed by thoughts and difficult questions, but I continue to grow and discover and learn so much while I’m here. I honestly never want this experience to end.
I miss you all. I can’t wait to share pictures and stories with you about Belize and Guatemala. ****My family will be here in less than a month. I CANNOT WAIT.
“The first duty of love is to listen.”
Katy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)