I am here to learn and grow; but I promise I am having fun too. My entries have all been quite serious, so I just wanted to throw up a few pictures and stories for Mom & Gram, who like that kind of thing!

We had a lot of fun watching the U.S. vs. El Salvador soccer game a few weeks ago, in a mixed group of Salvadoran students and students from the States. We projected the game on the wall, ate a lot, and were all thoroughly disappointed when the States won. The next week, when El Salvador played Costa Rica (apparently a huge rivalry), we could hear the cheering from the stadium two miles away from our houses! Apparently those games are INSANE – people throw bags of urine onto the field when they don’t like a call?! People get ROWDY. As fun as it would be, I will not be attending a soccer game. (fotos 1&2)

We’ve been eating lichas (lychees) at lunch sometimes – soooo good. Mari, one of the Salvadoran scholarship students, gets a huge kick out of calling them “Katis” because she thinks their spiky outsides resemble my hair. It is so not normal here for a woman to have short hair. And Mari is ridiculous. (foto 3)

We spent a day at Lago Cahuatepeque, an absolutely stunningly beautiful crater lake. The water was so clear and refreshing. (fotos 3&4)

The 15th of September is Central American Independence Day. Betsy and I went outside to watch the parades, for which we have heard bands rehearsing outside for almost a month at every ungodly hour imaginable. The parade was really funny. Kind of like a parade in the States… it sounds exciting, but then you get there and realize it’s weird and you’re just sweating in the sun. The battalions of girls marching and dancing in heels was definitely impressive. (fotos 5&6)

My new favorite spot is the Panadería just a few blocks from the casas. They have an overwhelming selection of delicious bakery. It’s so nice to sit there and enjoy a 20 cent cup of coffee and 40 cent treat. And really fun to try the weirdest looking stuff… it never looks like you think it will. Bep and I went there and had a Blanco y Negro… my favorite thing yet. (foto 7)

I am still enjoying the time and learning so much, and can’t believe I’ve already lived here for over a month! I still have a lot of time left, but this month has really flown. I miss home dearly and have a renewed appreciation for the beauty of my neighborhood, my family, mi novio, my church community… also toilet paper, bikes, and technology that works. I’m loving the adventure and will be really ready to set some roots down when I return. (If I don’t die from hypothermia upon setting foot outside the airport.)

This upcoming week we will be living in the rural, impoverished campo with families. Can’t wait to fall in love with the people there, and enjoy the beauty of hard work and the land; and to learn profound generosity from people who don’t even have enough to sustain their own families. Bring it on, scary huge spiders! You’re not gonna bring me down.

Paz y Amor,

Kati

Advertisement