Last friday I received and email from my good friend Leslie saying she finally landed a job and had one week before her start date, and guess who she wanted to visit in that week!? ME!

The adrenaline started to rush, I quickly responded with a one word email. YES!

Next, I opened up a new tab in my browser and started searching for the best flight deals from San Fran to San Sal.

48 hours later, I'm at the airport picking up my girl. All I could do was smile from ear to ear. It had been 2 1/2 years since we had seen each other last. But that's the thing about genuine friendship... thru time and space... ain't no thang but a chicken wing.

Short and sweet, but complete with sand, waves, mountains and hammock swingin under pines. . .

All self-revelation and intimacy in friendship must be spontaneous and natural. It must come like the opening of a flower in the sunshine and cannot be forced.Bertha Conde

“Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else’s.” -Billy Wilder

The one scary as shit,

I don't wanna do it,

out of my comfort-zone

thing that I did this year The last thing the tour-guide said was "try now to land right on-top of a ray or shark"

Um... good advice

When I finally jumped out of the boat I landed on a sting ray

yeah, it would happen to me.

But they were everywhere, it was impossible to avoid it

the ray slithered on my back and shoulder and then swam off

I stayed far away from the sharks and sting rays after that

But then later... I got a little friendly

and I'm so glad I did.

I hope I never stop jumping out of my comfort zone

and so as I plan my next steps

I try to keep this in mind

current status: pondering my next move after peace corps

collage on door at Tunco Beach, El Salvador

“Life is a process of becoming. A combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.” ~Anais Nin Normally

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

~Confucius

Playa El Tunco, La Libertad, El Salvador

our last supper was a little fishy

Gigantes dance

Cuerpo de paz!

Mom gets in there too!

waiting for a table at cafe bourbon, then waited 2 hours for our dinner

thumbs down, but the night was young and the vino flowed

super powers in that golden cuff

Oh yeah! Welcome 2012!!!

Got your eye on 2012raise your shoes in the air like you just don't care!Aftermath.

First night in Antigua we eat at my fav. resturant

and have front row seats to the action

yes, that's a leaf

mom and her fancy salads

break

oh, its time for a vino, smoked meats and cheese break

meeting new friends at the cigar bar

new friends and fantastic indian food is the best!

broken shades, not the best

dogs with shades, the best!

pretty fountain

my 4th time in Antigua, famous for its Jade, and I finally get a couple pieces of jewlery

thanks mom!

this photo for my dad who loved all the sunken in windows

outdoor artisan market

In front of the most beautiful church, the Merced

Pretty Momma

relaxin at the hotel

Last Supper at fav resturant, just can't get enough!

shuttle from Antigua to Atitlan,

then 1/2 hour boat ride to San Marcos (one of many small mayan villages around the lake)

arrive at our hotel, drop bags and get to the tough work

relaxing and enjoying the sunset from our balcony

on the boat ride over we made fast friends who we later met for dinner

the mom and delicious dinner at Ganesh.

reading angel cards, kinda like tarot but different

My new soul sister and I get matching shell rings from our artisan friend

in front of my favorite mural in San Marcos, artist is Sonrie :)

Fati and I both loved this beautiful sari, it was huge!

self explanatory

mom in the last and very full boat from San Pedro back to San Marcos

banana wheat french toast at La Paz in San Marcos

Abundance.

Mom made another friend

he's so cute

“The more light you allow within you, the brighter the world you live in will be.” ~Shakti Gawain

Happy Campers after Big Christmas Breakfast

At the Hotel Lenca in Perquin

:D

Leave for San Salvador to spend Christmas with Jeni Rae

and the Christmas Joy continues with fancy Martinis

while we wait for the cab to dinner on the volcanotrue christmas joy in a glass...

JR spoils me rotten.

and i love her for it.

With JR and Mama on the Volcano

Enjoying the view of the pretty twinkling lights of San Salvador with the best company!

giving some sass on the way out

Pretty Pretty

Hey lets go sit on the carriage thing

ok mom good idea!

THEN JR had another good idea... ;)

we called it a night after this.

And they love her!

visiting the women's co-op where they make and sell indigo textiles, natural soap and recycled paper

hiking to Prudi's coffee finca

Prudi shows mom the home he build by hand...

He is so proud and we are so very impressed

hiking around sunset is beautiful here in Norte MorazanBeach day with the family!!!

Hanging with the bandchristmas lunch at the Lenca was a meat lovers paradise

this child is about to pass out from all the food,

but he won't stop til the plate is clean

time for games to work off that monster lunch

wreath toss

three legged kick

this game...

find the baby jesus and win a pointanother crowd favorite,

how many kisses in the jar

baking carrot cake from scratch

pay no attention to the box below

La Posada

The children of the community dress up as the nativity scene,

carry candles

and go house to house asking for lodging (in song)At each house, the resident responds by refusing lodging (also in song), until the weary travelers reach the designated site for the party (in this case the school), where Mary and Joseph are finally recognized and allowed to enter.

After dinner family portrait

With my two moms!

How lucky can a girl get? :)

FELIZ NAVIDAD FROM LANTIS THE CHRISTMAS COW

Her puppies are due any day now.

Mom dances with Michael (the owner of the hotel's son) working up a hunger for breakfastalso, he shows us his cool new dinosaur book great way to start the day!

View From our Cabin in Perquin

nice way to wake upor take a leisurely nap

Mom and I having coffee on the terraza

The nacimiento scene at the hotel

my favorite are the armadillos and the lady with the pink apron and canasta on her head

see if you can spot themMom and I hitched a ride to check out El Mozote

The First Lady of El Salvador was visiting this little pueblo to hand out toys to all the children

We arrived as her motorcade was leaving

but we saw many smiling faces on children as they played with new toy trucks and barbie dolls

children's memorial garden at El Mozote

Sister Anne organizing the christmas giveaways to the pueblo of Mozote

Artisans set up sales in Mozote

Yo y Don Cruz

He's from Mozote and he lost his family in the massacre

he's also a good friend and truly sincere, hard working man, who always manages to give me the biggest smile and jokes with me about when I'm going to help him with his carpentry projects.

Mozote Memorial

door to the children's memorial garden

doing a little shopping at my mercado in perquin

mom in front of the newest mural in Perquin

checking out the guerilla campamento in Perquin

going in the underground tunnel

I love the exact science of this

eh, one or two people can cross, you know give or take

"Don't Jump" and "not responsible for beaten people" I think they mean injured...

makes a person feel safe.

and again, the maximum weight is 3 people

who knew coffee was so christmasy

visiting with the abuela over sweet coffee

who's abuela? the pueblos abuela.

cooling the freshly roasted coffee beans,

and learning about the process

video coming soon

Rosa making some fresh cuajada or milk curd

waiting for the pick-up to visit host family

yo y Esperanza

Proud with my host mom and her new apron,

yes, three pupusas on a comal

mom and I buying jewelry from my host cousin's new line

found my new years eve bling!

Cristian and mom playing with the batmobile

street scene leaving San Salvador

So I have not Updated the blog because on the first night of mom's arrival I spend more time in the bathroom than with my head on the pillow so we extended our stay in San Salvador and the lovely Jeni Rae allowed us to crash another night while I was tested over and over again by peace corps medical making sure I wasn't going to die. Turns out I'm alive and was cleared Monday for travel. woohoo! Lets go to Perquin!

(all photos take by mom)In Don Marcelo's cab on the way to Perquin

Arrived at Hotel Lenca in Perquin

Walking over to my house i.e. the Shack

Explaining to mom how the bathing works

super open air luxurious bamboo bathing area A video just in case you are a visual learner

pregnant lantis laying out on the patio

back to the cabin at the hotel, I brought my travel hammock so mom and I could lounge in tandem

Little vinto tinto action with the pato

I'm still on medication so I reveled in the good times sans vino

not hard with this company :)

As well as I could understand and remember, this is the explanation our neighborhood leader explained to us about this holiday:

Every December 7th pueblos, small colonias, or even just families gather around and celebrate an old Lencan tradition that was later turned into a Catholic tradition known as Festival of the Patron Saint, Virgin of Conception (Feria Patronal de la Virgen de Concepcion)

December 7th was the end of the year for the Lencan people and at this time they would gather as a tribe and tie a knot symbolizing a sin they had committed over the past year, against each other or the tribe. At the end they would undue the knots and burn them. This symbolized forgiveness of each sin and they were able to start a new year cleaned by the fire and burning of the old weight carried through the year.

The Catholic church took this tradition and changed it to celebrate the Virgin of Conception. In spanish giving birth is called "dando la luz" or giving light. In this the flames symbolize light and birth.

Neighbors singing christmas songs while the bon fire burned

the kids all had sparklers

it was really lovely to be together for this special night with the neighborhood

its a beautiful tradition to pass onto the children

sometimes we talk of how El Salvdor has no traditions

but this is an example of a unique one

celebrated in the eastern part of the country.

eventually it toppled over but we all enjoyed its head as it was a chilly night

and a full moon

After everyone joined together and ate a potluck with

pupusas, tamales, pinol, pizza (yes pizza), boiled platano, panes de pollo and hot chocolate

I baked cookies and was happy to see they were eaten up!

Grams Atha's official Christmas letter and photo page has gone out

and this morning I got a scanned copy in my inbox

Makes me smile big to see my family each year

happy healthy and growing!

Thanks Grams!

’we regret the things that we don’t do more than the things we do’ - Mark Twain

Last month my host family invited me to stay with them November 11th because early early early (3:30am) on November 12th they would begin the celebration of return from the refugee camps in Honduras during El Salvador's Civil War (1980-1992).

The morning began with a morning melody played by the band (below)

moments after the first few notes my little host brother, Christian's silhouette appeared as he flung open my bedroom door. Kreeee staaaalll! he yelled, I smiled and awoke with my arms stretched out

Cristian jumped in bed with me and curled up. He whispered, will you go outside with me to see the band?

I squeezed him and whispered back "vamos!"it was a chilly morning as you can see by the sweatshirts. The women started cooking pinol (a thick corn drink)

they also gave out pan dulce to all those in the neighborhoodDuring the morning once the sun came up the neighborhood leaders put together games and gave out prizes to all the children. This game was new to me, the kids blow as hard as they can trying to move the flour off the plate to find where the quarter is hidden. No hands!I love their little faces covered in flour. This game was fun too

The kids have to pair up and hug each other hard enough to pop the balloon between them. Whoever pops the most balloons in a set amount of time wins. big hugs!more balloon popping but with a different part of the anatomy please note my little host brother Cristian far left in yellowLook how far ahead he is after just one jump! That's my tigger! So far ahead of all the rest. Poor things didn't stand a chance. Cristian wins a super sweet airplane for his super awesome jumping abilitiesmore balloon popping games... wow they really love balloons. who do you think won?

Yup my girl Navidad did! ;)girls getting ready for dancingall grown up with make up

Navidadpretty pretty Dianapracticing their routinewaiting for the show to beginfirst dance group

flamencoThe young girls dance for the neighborhood, they were so nervous but they did greatMy host sister Yanery

Flamenco group #2work it girls!Flamenco group #3For as conservative as El Salvador is... There always seems to be a way to work in cross dressing guys into the events

first I saw one in the circus in my training community

next I saw a couple cross dressed guys at the Rodeo... instead of clowns

and now this! A whole Crew of cross dressed men, one I personally know is a police officer so it was really crazy to see him. But they all seemed to have fun and so did the community minus a couple viejitas who were not impressed. they did a few dance numbersLater in the Pupusaria with my host sister YaneryDiana and I diana give big bear hugs... aaaahhh muy fuerte!

Buff off routine. Polish away habit.Sharpen your crystal mind with silent time.Wake yourself by praying to the gods.

Surrender all of image. Let go of your outside eyes.Be a foolish animal, gaping at the forest.Be clumsy and too much and wide-eyed.

Kill the thing that pulls back the reins,and run.

Tara Sophia Mohr

Fulano = John Doe

Fulana = Jane Doe

I've heard these used for my last couple of years but didn't pay much attention...

then I heard them more often these last few months and FINALLY realized what it meant

and now I seem to hear is more and more... I love it

Ol' Fulano y tal Fulana...

"Yo Soy Ruta de Paz"

This is the name of the campaign.

Ruta de Paz being the region in which I live and work

After the Civil war ended in 1992 the region was renamed

Many people in the region don't identify with the name and so this campaign is to celebrate the people, the culture, the artisans, crops, foods, even animals like the gallina mas hermosa!

Its been really fun to go from Municipality to municipality

and now this grand finale where all the winners from past events come to be recognized and claim their prizes!

some artisan jewels

I of course had to buy a couple...

they only cost $1 and since jewelry is my drug of choice

I had to take advantage of this bargain.

3rd place artisan product

I think you hang it on your wall

Its all made out of a hemp type product

second place for art created from recycled product (newspaper and cardboard)

Here is 2nd place Pinol de Gallina India (Pinol is a soup)

this guy was everywhere... see if you can spot him in any other photos...

super sweet prizes

musica andina

lady who won 1st place for Gallina India Mas Hermosa!

She is really proud and came running down to claim her prize

waving her Gallina in the air with pride!

soooooo proud!

come on down

giving a speech after receiving her prize

She won a gas burning stovetop to cook up that fine Gallina

She also received a plaque

plaques are a super big deal here in El Salvador

Winner of Electric/Acoustic guitar to the Musica Andina group for composing and performing the best song representing the region

The runners up won an acoustic guitar... I really like this group too

finished the day with this guy singing some karaoke

From Copán Ruinas Honduras to Antigua Guatemala15 passenger van filled to the brimDad and I did some meditating as not to give into our nausea. SOMEBODY crack a window already gaaaah!

our hotel, Casa Encantada is very nice with a great rooftop for loungingand Casa Encantada provides ROBES!

dad and I being super nerds

totally impressed with our robes,

we put them on right away over our clothes

now its time for a walkabout town...

aaahhh glorias Convento Santa Catalina The Convent of Santa Catalina Martir was the second monastery founded by the Augustine Order in the year 1613. Within 10 years, the Convent contained 110 nuns and 6 novices, who were prohibited from going out into the streets and were not allowed to see or be seen by the general public. In 1693, a bridge was built to connect the monastery to the property that had been acquired by the convent on the other side of the street, so the nuns could cross the street unseen. This bridge is now the famous landmark of Antigua

The Sunday market

The fountain in the square

closer look... her face does not look impressed

dad loved the inset windows... I guess I do too. These are also famous

Moza my favorite beer

and Gallo the most well known Guatemalan beer

dinner at Hectors starts off with vino tinto and Caprese Salad...

mmmmmm yum

The arch by night

Cerro de la Cruz up on the north side of the Pueblo

with a great view

see below

I've seen this statue three times, taken photos and admired it...

but not until now have I noticed this little dudes head popping out from her her dress...

dad was obsessed with the door knockers

we found one that looked like a dragon

I left with a bite from the dragon

and dad left with a get rich quick plan...

yeah, let your mind marinate on that one.

La Merced Church

Inside the Merced

we were big fans of this flowering tree

the biggest water fountain in Antigua

inside the Merced

Mono loco drinks in Bamboo holders yum.

HAND OFF! it's Nacho Lunch

dad and I split these, and still couldn't finish the plate

also, we skipped dinner

highly rated

what... monkey ears...

yep, putting those on.

amazing pink sky

street by night

I <3 Antigua

street in town where they sell all the artisan goods

trunk of a palm tree with leaves of a banana tree ... mystery

dad enjoying a honduran lifesaver cerveza

I love that this beer is called "lifesaver"

check out the town and you can work up a thirst

we were parched

ya happy?

yup!

dad and i as tall giants

bevies

lining the tummy with food

Our best Japonese pose...

Tommasino, Jolene, Dad and I

japanese fun again but,

joaquine says no

ok now, super cool pose...

joaquin stays the same

funny faces, joaquin stays the sameand grand finale at the german pub

great brews and better company!

things to know:

1. Ruins of Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization located in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala and Ruins of Copán is a UN World Heritage site

2. Copán Ruinas is the town located near the site

When we first arrive at the Ruins of Copán we see these guysI start thinking... maybe we don't have to go to the bird sanctuary later...

climbing around

TUK TUK TIME

On the way to the bird sanctuary having fun alright

my favoritewhatchalookinat?

this last one was hungry for t-shirtsThis blue guy left us all with holes in our shirts...

just a little souvenir

yeah I was a little freaked when the blue bird started pecking at me too

hurry up dad TAKE THE PICTURE! ;P

sad looking owl

adios

leaving bird sanctuary back to Copán Ruinas

cool mural coming up...

little relaxin in our lovely room

raw

stuffing

spicy!

bag it.

put in the rack thing

san-grrrrriiaaaDaniel and Jessy making rocky road fudge...

yeah, be jelly bellies.

apps

our beautiful host Jeni Rae <3JR and I being cute in the backyard

ambiance

hinkle lookin snazzy

juices for gravy

so tender the wing just came off

the spreadyessy praying for all the sinnerspre dinner sangria and big smiles

the first official servingThe lovely Jessy and hinkle gettin that legHappy people

after dinner ge-tar and sing along

Walking to pick coffee at Prudi's Fincas

First gotta get geared up:

wam

bamthank ya ma'am

Prudi leads the waySebastian helps too

PRUDI TEACHES

And we pick

and pick

and pick some more

glorious golden and red beans

Lantis supervises

Bag it up

Prudi laying some coffee knowledge on us

pretty prudi coffee

posing proud with our pickins

if you know...

then ya know...

it comes from a banana tree

cool view... hey sometimes there're flies

taking the pick -up down to have the best pupusas in El Salvador

my host mom's pupuseria, find it on the Ruta de Paz

in Copinolar and you won't regret it

I didn't let my dad eat any other than the best!

Dad is opting for the rarely seen taco technique

goes down smooth.

First stop after breakfast was the revolutionary museum and the campamento museum. No photos are allowed in the first museum so onto the second...

recreation of wartime bunker

walking thru the underground tunnel

oh there ya are

onto bridges

bridge #1: wooden planks

bridge #2: sticks

dad maneuvering the sh*t out that bridge

for a dollar you can put on the soldier outfit and hold a gun

dad tipped our little tour guide

then read the sign

and hoped she didn't think

he wanted to sign up for the outfit offer

bullet shell-case entry

having a little visit and coffee with la abuela

dad asked who's abuela is she

I said, the pueblos'... everyone calls her abuela

abuel in her store

more random stuff in her store

false front of a salvo home... the owners recreated a home they liked

They were inspired by the home they saw in better homes and gardens

across the street they be keepin it real

one of the many beautiful murals found in Perquin

Dad and Hinkle cooked up some tasty apps while I

was in a long and lively meeting with my association

Walking up to the Pueblo of Perquin,

Please note new banner over the road to advertise the festival

Dad by one of the many murals in Perquin

Tasting some Pinol de Gallina India which is

the soup you see above with a piece of free range chicken ploped in

Some traditional Chanchona music

you can't tell, but this guy had green strings... I liked that.

Today was the contest for the Best Pinol de Gallina India

and this lady second from the right won the grand prize,

I think it was something like $50 bucks.

Musica Andina

Dad playing soccar with my lil host brother Christian

Lunch, Soup with chicken killed that day for my dad's visit

Christian and Diana posing with dad too cute. look how sweaty Christian is!

After waking to the sound of roosters at 4am ...

we started our day off with a quick 5mi hike around

Followed by a filling hotel lenca breakfast

and later coffee in the hammock

If that wasn't enough, after breakfast we hiked over to the Chorreron waterfall

found this guy on the path.

This contraption around his neck is so he doesn't get through fences,

or that's what I think I understood the explanation to be. El Chorreron!

woohoo! love this place

picture proof of joy

later we went to visit the site of the massacre that occured in 1981in the nearby community of El Mozote

Watch the video for more info:

Mozote Church

The new memorial monument of El Mozote, under construction

Dinner time drinks: 5 year flor de Caña Cuba Libres

saucy!

Host Family who wanted to come with me to pick up my dad at the airport. For their support they made out with brand new Super Selecto sunglasses. (sunglasses are a very american thing, or at least not very salvadoran). So after my dad bought them a pair each, my host sister on the right stood next to him and said, "now I look like his daughter" ... too funny.

Later at dinner, Chanchona Band playing at the lenca.

Dancing with a lenca waitress, please note how gigantic I am compared to her. Salvadorans are tiny and they think American are HUGE. this is perfectly shown here. Also note, the tiny dancers to the left.

enjoying some fancy bottled wine, a fancy box of wine followed later in the night

I blame the boxed wine for this decision.

This past sunday I attended the first of 5 events that will be celebrated in the region. (I am supporting various groups in planning these events) All five being hosted in different municipalities and having various cultural competitions. This week was the competition for the Gallina India Mas Hermosa!

Gallina India is a, free range/natural/NOT enhanced with hormones, Hen

AND the challenge was to find the most beautiful in all the Northern Morazan Land.

Below is the most hermosa/beautiful one. Jewelry and all.

The shoes were so heavy the poor gallina couldn't walk

Proud owner of Gallina Mas Hermosa gives a speech

La mas Hermosa!

first, third, and second places L-R

second place was tired and put down for a nap and is not present in photo

con cariño: Canchonas

i.e. Canchonas are music groups that play ranchero music, all acoustic

I Am Ruta de Paz!

sweet breads, chicken sandwiches (watch out for the bones), chicken soup,

Tamales, pupusas, and other tipico

Chicken Transport

The Venue: Amun Shea School

Selling homemade crafts to raise funds,

I walked away with a really sweet wine bottle converted into a fancy flower vase

My lil host brother Cristian

He is a guisquil a kind of light green squash-like vegetable

called 'chayote' in Mexico

Cristian explaining his vegetable in english ;)

The vegetables dance

The vegetable dance some more...

Please note my awesome host brother 4th from the right...

Who's having a good time??? Cristian's having a good time!

And how could you not with all those veggie friends.

Cristian lets me try on his costume...

THIS was the Scene up the street from our house on Monday Afternoon... Want the full story?

Hinkle has the full write up on his blog which you can find HERE

He likes writing more than I do and pretty similar to what my write up would be since we were side by side that whole day. Win Win!

We are safe, our house is not flooded, and we continue to be thankful for both those things.

Paz Fuera

~K

The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one” -Wilhelm Stekel

I just finished the Catcher in the Rye (it was ok) BUT i really liked this quote from it.

On Friday, due to the tropical depression that has been hovering over El Salvador and surrounding Central American countries for the last week, President Funes declared a State of Emergency.

The following statistics have been reported as of this morning:

· 27 dead due to mudslides and flooding

· 130 plus shelters set up throughout the country

· almost 14,000 people in shelters

FYI, all PCVs have been accounted for and our Standfast continues until further notice.

Therefore,Hinkle and I will continue medicating our cabin fever with movies and popcorn and speculating about when the rain will pass and being thankful that we are not near a river or trapped and hungry like our dear friend Helen on a mountaintop b/c her road is washed out. Stay strong girl.

To start I want to send out a GRANDE Gracias to my family who answered my call for donations to make the following blog possible.

So GRACIAS GRACIAS GRACIAS TO :

~ MOM and DAN - the polar bear- Abbott

~ Daddio y Mel * and happy early birthday Mel J

~ La Mama Cortez T.Q.M.

~ Grams aka Mary Atha a million xoxo

~ Uncle Kurt and Aunt Vikki love love love to you both

NOW THE UPDATE:

“An Introduction to Professional Development” was the name of the camp put on by 9 Peace Corps Volunteers in the Community Organization and Economic Development (COED) program. Each COED volunteer brought anywhere from 1-4 of their most talented youths from their community. As many of you know I don’t have a community but rather a region in which I work and so the 4 students I brought were from various pueblos from my region. These 4 were also my English students who I gave scholarships to attend my “English for Tourism” course that I gave earlier this year. I chose my students based on their grades, attendance, and scores from an aptitude test administered to them during the selection process for the English course. These students have shown their dedication over the months and working with them in the past allowed their families to feel comfortable letting me take them 8 hours away from their home for 2 nights. It’s not a normal occurrence to spend the night away from home let alone travel halfway across the country. I also wanted to continue investing in these 4 students in the hopes further inspiring and motivating them to be leaders in their communities or where ever life takes them. Driving along I couldn’t help but notice their eyes big with wonder as our micro van snaked through the capital on the way to the campsite. My students had been to the capital one other time when I took them to job shadow at the Sheraton Hotel in April but it was still exciting to them. They reminisced over the fun we had when we went out to Pizza Hut and swam in the hotel pool. They felt very special riding in a private vehicle as they are relegated to public transport, which equals the back of a pick up truck or squeezed into chicken buses. We played music, ate snacks and took naps during our long ride to and from the camp. Thanks to YOU this was all possible. Private transport is VERY expensive in this country and the public transport is dangerous so while my students were in my care I really wanted to make sure we had a private driver. We took advantage and picked up other volunteers and their students along the way. So in total 9 students and 3 PC volunteers were able to ride comfortably and safely to and from camp. It also had an added bonus in allowing for the students of each volunteer to get to know each other a bit before arriving at camp in turn helping a smidgen with the “pena” or shyness. What about the camp you ask!?Well… Let me tell ya, it was long and hard we didn’t let these youth rest. We left Thursday at 4:30 am from my pueblo picking up volunteers and their students along the way. The poor things were pooped by the end but there were so many topics that were important to cover and each peace corps volunteer gave their own talks and worked to make them interactive. It was rare to see the students sitting and just listening, they were active. As you can see from the photos…

A public campsite offered for free by the government to NGOs and other organizations like Peace Corps to hold gatherings, training, and such thingsEach cabin has two rooms complete with bunk-beds, shower and flush toilet! fancy I know. The students were broken up randomly so they could have a chance to meet other students. It sorta worked. Most nights everyone was so tired we got back to the cabin to put on PJs and sleep.

Chelsea gives the bienvenida and sets expectations and rules with the students

Later comes a slew of dinamicas or Interactive games ...

Put yourselves in order of birthdays without stepping out of the linegetting very close. nothing new considering the public transportation situation in this country.

The Space

On a hike, lots of photo taking occurred and many of my students have posted new photos of themselves on their facebook account. Yes even our dear salvadoran campo kids have fallen victim to FB. :)

Giving a talk on Marketing before making them create their own marketing plan I broke them into two groups

The first was a music group who had to market themselves using the 5Ps and

the second group was a tourism group who had to offer products or services

They did great for only having a half hour!

The Human Knot...

working together to untangle yourself while never letting go

Mirror exercise to further understand leadership or was it creativity...

I forget, I walked in late... but it looks fun!

Working together AGAIN... strategy, leadership, creativity

goal... get everyone across without touching the string or using an opening more than once

Students worked in groups through the weekend and on the last day before certificates they presented

they were assigned to be a youth group, community organization and had to present how they would run the show, money marketing project etc... basically using all the skills they learned in the last two days

Jaime the Peace Corps Country Director

and

Clelia our Jefa of the COED program

special guests to present certificates of completion to the students

(L-R) Moi, Tereso, Joel, Esdras, Emely, Jaime and Clelia

Good lookin COED volunteers

Back Row L-R (Jessica, Daniel, Me, Carolyn, Milton, and Dan)

Front Row L-R (Clayton, Jaime, Erica and Chelsea)

Yeah we're the adult chaperones ...

Group photo of Volunteers and Students

Reason 1 million and one why I love my students...

I'm sitting in a quiet and a bit dark hostel/restaurant using the internet as I see one of my english students walking home along the dirt road. She is wearing her school uniform, neatly pressed, knee high socks and mary-janes. She walks slowly and pauses, bends down and picks up a piece of trash. A plastic potato chip bag, then places it in a plastic grocery bag. As she continues walking, she doesn't see me, but I see her as she passes the window nearest my table... I see the bag is half full of other trash I presume she has picked up along her walk home.

YES! I scream inside.

there is hope.

Thank you Emely for making me smile today.

and not even knowing it.

Emely giving her presentation at

the Young Professionals Youth Camp last weekend.

for those who have not been to El Salvdor, there is trash (almost) everywhere. Seeing people discard their trash out the bus, truck, car window or walking along the street is something that used to make me cringe... and the trash all along the road infuriated me and made me question... doesn't this bother "them".... Now I hardly notice it. So am I "them" now? That's the trouble with "us" and "them"... its a tricky line.

What One Day of Afghan War Funding Means for Peace Corps' 50th AnniversaryPosted: 9/27/11 05:57 PM ET

As the Peace Corps celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, it is time to take stock and commit to making it bigger, better and bolder.

As one of four members of the House who volunteered, I answered former President John F. Kennedy's call for Peace Corps recruits in the 1960s and served in El Salvador. To say that the Peace Corps changed my life and my perspective, and influences now my modus operandi as a member of Congress, would be a sweeping understatement.

My time in El Salvador taught me so much. I went into the corps as a college student shy of graduation with little direction; I emerged with the confidence that my emotional, psychological and physical limits had been pushed, plied and ultimately surpassed. I went into the corps driven by the shame of my youthful lack of direction; I emerged determined to do something about the pervasive poverty surrounding me.

I went into the corps speaking one language; I emerged speaking another: Spanish, a gift that introduced me to a new world, gave me a new way of understanding new cultures and has helped me connect to constituents in California. The Peace Corps got me back to the basics, and I realized that every day is to be used wisely.

Yet, more is needed to boost the Peace Corps. The continued call for service by President Obama is an important first step, but in order to heal America's reputation in the world and better tackle emerging global crises, we need the Peace Corps to be bigger, better, bolder and more diverse. What better time to reinvigorate the Peace Corps than as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this month?

By bigger, we need to double the number of Peace Corps volunteers. Currently, we have at least 8,655 volunteers enlisted, serving poor and needy communities throughout the world and promoting better understanding between Americans and host country populations. Since JFK's call in 1961, when the Peace Corps was officially established, more than 200,000 volunteers have served in139 countries. These are goodwill ambassadors of the most effective form, offering a helping hand to those who need it.With more than 8,000 volunteers, we are now in 76 countries. By doubling this number, we could double the placements and the number of countries served. Amid America's troubled diplomatic waters -- whether with countries in South America, South Asia or Africa -- the benefits of having our young men and women in volunteer service, showing the best of what America has to offer, are immeasurable.Doubling up, however, requires more funding -- but not much, comparatively speaking. Peace Corps funding for 2011 is only $400 million, relatively little in light of the benefits to our country in diplomacy, outreach and service to poor populations. What we spend in Afghanistan in one day would fund our 8,000-plus volunteers for an entire year of service -- a clearly doable goal.

By better, we can continue to improve on the Peace Corps by equipping our volunteers with the technological and cultural expertise that they need to be successful in their placements. The top six sectors served by Peace Corps volunteers are education, health, business development, environment, youth and agriculture. As global poverty rates increase and natural disasters fueled by climate change continue to wreak havoc on the impoverished, the Peace Corps will continue to be called on to play a preemptive role in preparedness strategies. If trained and equipped appropriately, our volunteers can ensure that the poor are better prepared for the next tsunami, bird flu or malaria outbreak. Peace Corps placement, then, becomes not only a service opportunity but also an informal internship that results in a more knowledgeable volunteer capable of joining the advising institution post-service.

By bolder, I am suggesting a mainstreaming of the service concept so it spans society -- regardless of sex, age or race. To this end, Obama is working to reinvigorate Peace Corps' patriotism. Right now, the average volunteer age is 28 years old, and 60 percent are women. Furthermore, minorities comprise only 19 percent of all volunteers.

I propose the benefits of an age- and race-diversified volunteer corps. A more race-diverse Peace Corps would allow for greater understanding in regions of the world with which the volunteer may be familiar, given their family's country of origin. A more age-diverse Peace Corps would enable increased understanding and opportunities for cross-cultural connection based on life experience.

To achieve this, though, we must create incentives for Americans in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s to pursue the Peace Corps. Recognizing the international, national and individual benefits of public service, we need to be creative in thinking how the public and private sectors can provide service opportunities to their employees.

In founding the Peace Corps, Sargent Shriver recognized the need for promoting public service by spearheading this nation's first war on poverty. Headquartered in the U.S. government's Office of Economic Opportunity, the war-room mentality was ever-present and Shriver foresaw the looming security threat facing America. In creating the Peace Corps and Volunteers in Service to America -- or VISTA, the domestic version of Peace Corps -- the farsighted Shriver understood that poverty was inextricably linked to the security of our national and global community.

Now is no different. Obama is poised to recast the public service message, but he cannot do it single-handedly. That is why, as a former Peace Corps volunteer, I am calling for a Peace Corps that is bigger, better and bolder. And I am not alone. Former Peace Corps volunteers like me, returning to America the richness of our experience, stand ready to encourage new recruits.

If America makes this a priority, we not only help the global poor become more self-sufficient, stable and secure -- which in turn makes our country more secure -- but we simultaneously increase good will toward the United States through this development-based diplomacy.

All for one day's worth of spending in Afghanistan.

Rep Mike Honda, who represents Silicon Valley and is a senior member of the House Budget and Appropriations Committees, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador from 1965-1967.

A couple months ago before my friend Rosellen was about to close her peace corps service she had decided she was going to take the plunge and purchase a piece from one of El Salvador's most famous painters, Miguel Angel. After pricing out some galleries she just didn't feel right about it so she decided to write the artist himself. Within days he responded and invited her out to his studio. Of course she needed a sidekick and there I was. We both were nervous as we were big fans of his and had admired his painting and spoken of him for months. And here we were being invited out to his place!

He's best known for painting faces of children with big brown eyes and carmel skin its hard not to get lost in them. The paintings show the children's innocence as well as hardship. During the civil war in El Salvador he would paint the children with a single tear. Now they are tearless but still tell a story.

His studio is not really a studio but rather an open home where all are welcome. Its call "casa taller encuentros" where he also teaches kids, youth and adults how to draw, paint, and be creative. The home is beautiful and not hard to get lost in with all its various gardens, fountains, terraces, and inspirations around every corner.

Miguel Angel is the most humble sweet talented artist. He was more interested in asking us questions about our interests in art, who are favorite artists were, what inspired us, and even asked to take photos with us on his phone. It was too funny, I was taking photos of him and his wonderland and he was taking pictures of us with our jaws open. In fact it was only after an hour and a half of walking around and chatting that Rosellen finally got him to talk about selling a piece. Its like he didn't even care about selling we commented after.

Big ups to this guy. One talented big hearted human being that I'm really glad is out here in this world. Here are the photos:

the photo on the left is another artist, on the right is a naked women who Miguel painted... hot.

one of many sitting areas

fresh flowers and candles everywhere I would love to see the place at night as well

entrance to Miguel Angel's work space

some of his works in progress hanging on the walls

signing the back of Rosellen's painting that she too home to America

Ros and Miguel Angel

showing off her signed artwork.

Me with the Artist

exploring

view from a terrace

students hanging around just making art

Diana is 9 yrs old and because she is old enough I showed her how to use my camera. She broke a bone in her foot last month and has to sit in a plastic chair all day and watch everyone else run around and have fun so this was a perfect time to pick up the hobby of photography. She took to the camera right away. The following are photos from her perspective. A day with my host familia and Clayton my fellow PCV visiting along with a Jica volunteer.

other photos not by diana but goodies

3 days til my feet walk on american soil

i will not be missing this tipo while i'm gone

getting down with NY students / doctors over dinner at Lenca

Marta gets down with the hot pink bday shades

Jovenes getting down

PCVs, NY doc and students get down

dr. Santa Maria getting down with the groupo andino

“Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. Was it worth it?”- Gandhi

Things are falling into place just in time for the Doctors and Students to arrive on Sunday

I have the Transport almost lined up (meetings tomorrow morning with the drivers to review final dates, times and locations)

another relief... and reinforcement that this culture is all about getting out there and being present

Talking to a neighbor after a meeting we begin to chat while she waits for her chicharrones and yuca... she asks how its going with me and work... I share that I'm frustrated looking for tents/camping gear... she says, Oh I have three tents I can rent to you.

Oooo... how much i ask with one ojo closed waiting for some crazy price...

8 bucks each! phew.

She signed me up.

And tonight a little teatro up at the Casa de Joventude in Perquin

I don't know why but I'm always so pleasantly surprised by how everything works out at the last nail bitting moment here in El Salvador. It's the best and worst trait about my work here. Everything is possible... even more so if you don't plan it. makes no freaking sense. at least to this gringa.

This afternoon thunder is rattling the building with lightning blinding me with the flashes coming through each window. I woke up this morning thinking how this rainy season had not been so bad; we had yet to lose power (more than a few minutes) and only lost water for a day. I have not tumbled on slimy muddied rock paths or fallen victim to black mold naciendo on the walls in the house. I was recalling how last August I had enough with the rain and the weeping walls and the funky tang of mildew in my clothes. It’s July and I haven’t cursed the season yet? YET.

But maybe it’s my pending visit to the U.S. or the relentless work laid out ever so clearly in color coded detail on my iCal that keeps me marching along in my flip-flops flapping up sopping lodo on the back of my rolled up jeans. I’m exhausted emotionally and sleeping in and Kellogs are not helping but I’m ok with letting myself feel this way. It’s natural. Shoot. I’d be made of stone if I wasn’t allowed to breakdown every once in a while, not be completely in sync with the cultural differences and strains… and for a moment wish for my mom’s cozy couch with red wine, or my dad’s bbq and my family’s gluttonous get-togethers coupled with acoustic sing-along and games and my aunt and grandma’s flan… mmmm flan. Can’t wait to squeeze the Jugo out of my familia come Aug.

Until then I’ll be grateful for the opportunity to live in such a beautiful region of El Salvador doing work each day that reflects my passions. Lord help me when and if I ever go back to a desk job in an office building with florescent lighting. Dios Guarde! Although, nobody would tell me I’m gorda, call me negrita or colocha or show up 1-2 hours late to a meeting. There are trade-offs I guess.

translations:

naciendo: means to be born but also means growth or sprouting of mold or fungus

lodo: mud

Kellog: any type of cereal

Dios Guarde: God Keep Me, used to emphasize just about anything

gorda: fat

negrita: blacky

colocha: curly head

:)

Courage: tell the story of who you are with your whole heart ...the courage to be imperfect

Compassion: to be kind to yourself and then to others

Connection: as a result of authenticity,

let go of who you should be,

to be who you are … you need this for connection