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Friday, September 23, 2011

Settling in to El Salvador

So I am finally here!  After sleeping 2hours I left logan airport at 7:30AM on Wed. Sep. 21 (2 days ago).  The plane flight was good (I mostly slept) and some how I was able to get one 51pound bag and one 54pound bag checked with out any extra charges.  I also carried on a one cup coffee maker, which I think security found a bit suspect but let through.  I do realize that I can buy coffee makers here but my housemates don't have one and I had one so I though I might as well put it to good use.

When I got the airport Noah (the director of Cristosal) picked me up, we went to the offices and then to an outdoor community meeting (held on a grassy patch in between two highways) for the right to land.  Then I came to my new El Salvadorian home (where my fantastic housemates greeted me despite the fact that they thought I was coming a day later).  The house that I am staying in is really nice and safe and my new house mates are also very nice, one is from El Salvador, one is from France, and one is from Oregon.

Once I dropped my bags off, we went to get some dinner in a random alleyway, which had the best loaded mashed potatoes.  Then it was time for bed and I was ready for it.

Yesterday, I unpacked, cleaned my room, and I got to know my city (San Luis).  I now know, where I can buy groceries, where I can get money out, and what street vendor to buy vegetables and fruits from (all thanks to Marion, one of my housemates that showed me around).  I also know where I can take aerobics and dance classes for $2 a class.  Turns out San Luis is a happening place.  Next Ana (another housemate), her friend, and I took a stroll to CIS (a language school that focuses on the political and social context of living in El Salvador) and inquired regarding Spanish classes for myself and English classes for them (as they are from El Salvador).  On the way back home we stopped at a licuado (milkshake) place and I had a delicious mango, pineapple, orange, and milk licuado.

Then last night I had my first experience on the public bus system taking the 30B (stop very close to my house) to the 101 D to a cultural event, which was being held by the French cultural center (I went with Marion who is my house mate that is from France).  I have to say the bus system was pretty easy; for some reason I was very scared anticipating the experience but it's not bad.  The cultural event was very nice with live music and some food.  Then I had another typical El Salvadorian experience getting home when the sky opened up and the rains came down turning the streets into rivers (a frequent event here in El Salvador during the rainy season).  We ended up waiting for a taxi for 20min under an umbrella but eventually got home and we were not completely soaked.

And now it is Friday, wow the time has flown buy!  So today, I may get an opportunity to meet with the ECO team coordinator, which is the medical team that I hope to volunteer with for the first few months to get my feet wet.  Also in the works, is a trip to the police station to get a criminal background check for my residency here.  Well now I go to unpack a little more and hopefully I will be a little quicker at updating you all in a few days (sorry it took me a little while).

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Less then 24 hours to go time!

So I'm about to leave for El Salvador; I head out tomorrow AM at 7:45!  I almost have everything packed although I've probably packed to much seeing as I have two 50 pound bags.  I finally have an address, which I will add to my profile as well (feel free to send me letters, it just may take a while for them to get to me); my address is: Colonia San Luis, Pasaje 2, Bloque 11, Casa 26, San Salvador, El Salvador.  I'm getting excited!