such a tough enchilada

Haley's stop over in Salvador

2012-02-18T21:02:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow this woman and I will reunite for the first time in 2+ years.

There WILL be:

laughing

story telling

hammock swinging

sunshine

splashing

adult beverage drinking

big smiles and deep sighs

sandy everything

photo taking

dancing

more laughing
mischievous laughing

hugs and high fives

beach sunsets

burritos

and ...

a general feeling of bliss and abundance.

super weird bug

2012-02-18T15:27:00.005-06:00

At first I thought it was an ant carrying some little spec of lint

but nope

this is an actual bug

And I have no clue of its official name, so I've dubbed it the

lint bicho.

Amendment:

My new theory after a quick google is that we are seeing the Green Lacewing Larvae

The lacewing will collect debris and food remains to provide camouflage from birds.

photos others have taken here

and yes.

I am a nerd.

hangin in my hood

2012-02-17T18:11:00.000-06:00

Hangin with my girl Jess who works for voices on the border
hailing all the way from Cali to live in these beautiful mountains of Morazan
vez en cuando we find some time to sip coffee, chambriar (gossip), and swing lazily in the hammocks

The nightly Futball that is played outside our house

Our neighbor emely with her new baby leonardo
Its her first baby and let me tell ya he's got a voice box on him
Poor mama hardly sleeps

Emely and Leo in their doorway

happy.

2012-02-16T23:10:00.001-06:00

coffee in the hammock
“There is no way to happiness,

happiness is the way.”

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Family Outing. Poza. Honda.

2012-02-14T19:32:00.002-06:00

it was typical in many ways

we all lugged food, ate together, swam together, told funny stories about the past, one time my host mom was about to leave for a week in Nicaragua, and right before she left she cracked her false tooth on a toasted tortilla, she drank liquados for a week, then they pulled apart the pila to find her false tooth.

Later while my host sister was doing the back float a pair of dragonflies landed on her nose, I laughed… she quickly noticed as she opened her eyes and looked over at me… we both smiled, she asked if I saw that… I said yes, that is why I’m laughing, someone asked what was so funny, and my host sister said, a pair of dragonflies landed on her nose to have sex!

Grandma is looking for tadpoles, kids are learning how to swim with their parents, and the height of the drama is a near drowning by little host brother Cristian who has no fear of water even though he doesn’t know how to swim or float.

Of course is was also very Salvo… we took a pick up truck ride down to the turn off where another guy with a truck is rumored to give rides to the watering hole… He never comes… we stand around, make a couple calls and at the end he shows up about 30 minutes later

After arrival, we get lost on the walk over… everyone has been here before but nobody remembers how to get to that ONE place

We are all starving and huddle around under a tree for shade and eat a breakfast of fried plantains, tortillas, papas in tomato sauce and beans of course

After breakfast all begin changing under towels into different shorts and tank tops than we came in with…to swim in of course… nobody wears swimsuits…

Leaving the waterhole the Young boys who were playing soccer near us began yellin piropos first to my host sister who played a little soccer with them… and then to the whole family. One even drops his shorts and shows us a full moon on the sunniest day.

Then Lunch. (peak of the heat) we are served piping hot chicken soup. Yup, what better time than after a long day under the sun…

Then after a while we head out the way we came in, back of a pick up truck

Everyone was happy. Including me.

Cristian swam in his chones "ChO.nez"

Host brother being fearless
and making sure I caught it on camera

LB Phillips

2012-01-31T18:07:00.000-06:00

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

jump!

2012-01-20T13:46:00.001-06:00

“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

a combination

2012-01-17T17:11:00.001-06:00

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

work.

2012-01-15T20:47:00.000-06:00

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

Mom's last Salvo Sunset

2012-01-15T19:16:00.000-06:00

Playa El Tunco, La Libertad, El Salvador

our last supper was a little fishy

Ring in 2012 in Mayan Country

2012-01-09T18:59:00.000-06:00

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 2012

raise your shoes in the air like you just don't care!

Aftermath.

Discovering Antigua w/Mom

2012-01-09T18:31:00.000-06:00

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!

Lago de Atitlan w/Mom

2012-01-09T18:06:00.000-06:00

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

light

2012-01-06T15:08:00.000-06:00

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

Christmas Day in Salvador

2012-01-05T20:56:00.000-06:00

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 volcano

true 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.

too good not to share.

2012-01-05T20:42:00.002-06:00

Mom loves the people of El Salvador

2011-12-26T08:16:00.000-06:00

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 Morazan

Beach day with the family!!!

Hanging with the band

christmas 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 point

another 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

2011-12-24T11:44:00.003-06:00

FELIZ NAVIDAD FROM LANTIS THE CHRISTMAS COW
Her puppies are due any day now.

red hot chili peppers morning

2011-12-22T14:48:00.000-06:00

Mom dances with Michael (the owner of the hotel's son)

working up a hunger for breakfast

also, he shows us his cool new dinosaur book

great way to start the day!

Mom va conociendo la zona

2011-12-21T23:08:00.000-06:00

View From our Cabin in Perquin
nice way to wake up

or 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 them

Mom 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

Mom gets to Perquin - FINALLY

2011-12-20T09:31:00.001-06:00

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 :)

Lenca tradition meets Catholicism

2011-12-12T16:02:00.001-06:00

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!

Its officially the Holidays

2011-12-11T16:24:00.002-06:00

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!

do.

2011-12-11T13:34:00.001-06:00

’we regret the things that we don’t do more than the things we do’

- Mark Twain

celebrating refugee return

2011-12-11T13:14:00.002-06:00

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 neighborhood

During 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 yellow

Look 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 abilities

more balloon popping games... wow they really love balloons.

who do you think won?
Yup my girl Navidad did! ;)

girls getting ready for dancing

all grown up with make up
Navidad

pretty pretty Diana

practicing their routine

waiting for the show to begin

first dance group
flamenco

The young girls dance for the neighborhood, they were so nervous but they did great

My host sister Yanery
Flamenco group #2

work it girls!

Flamenco group #3

For 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 numbers

Later in the Pupusaria with my host sister Yanery

Diana and I

diana give big bear hugs... aaaahhh muy fuerte!

Awakening

2011-12-10T21:30:00.000-06:00

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

so-and-so

2011-12-05T18:45:00.000-06:00

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

2011-12-05T18:29:00.000-06:00

"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

Antigua and Daddio = good times

2011-12-03T20:36:00.005-06:00

From Copán Ruinas Honduras to Antigua Guatemala

15 passenger van filled to the brim

Dad 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 lounging

and 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

Copán Ruinas Part Deux

2011-12-02T19:14:00.002-06:00

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 same

and grand finale at the german pub
great brews and better company!

Copán Ruinas y Ruins of Copán

2011-12-02T11:15:00.000-06:00

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 guys

I 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 favorite

whatchalookinat?

this last one was hungry for t-shirts

This 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

Gobble Gobble Salvo Version plus Daddio

2011-11-24T22:14:00.001-06:00

raw

stuffing

spicy!

bag it.

put in the rack thing

san-grrrrriiaaa

Daniel and Jessy making rocky road fudge...
yeah, be jelly bellies.

apps

our beautiful host Jeni Rae <3

JR and I being cute in the backyard

ambiance

hinkle lookin snazzy

juices for gravy

so tender the wing just came off

the spread

yessy praying for all the sinners

pre dinner sangria and big smiles

the first official serving

The lovely Jessy and hinkle gettin that leg

Happy people

after dinner ge-tar and sing along

cafe y pupusas

2011-11-22T22:54:00.001-06:00

Walking to pick coffee at Prudi's Fincas

First gotta get geared up:

wam

bam

thank ya ma'am

Prudi leads the way

Sebastian 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.

day tres of dad en perquin

2011-11-22T22:10:00.003-06:00

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 whose 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

Festival and host Family

2011-11-21T08:37:00.001-06:00

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!

Daddio wakes in Perquin

2011-11-19T22:30:00.001-06:00

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!

Dad Arrives in the Savior.

2011-11-19T22:03:00.001-06:00

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.

Gallina India Mas Hermosa

2011-11-15T13:41:00.000-06:00

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 dance of the vegetables

2011-10-31T17:09:00.000-06:00

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...

Derrumbe = Mudslide

2011-10-20T15:40:00.002-06:00

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

for a cause

2011-10-20T14:27:00.000-06:00

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.

STANDFAST means DON'T MOVE.

2011-10-16T15:22:00.001-06:00

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.