Hola, amigos! I´m here in El Salvador, wondering how I can possibly express my experience of this place. I thought I´d share a few snapshots, mostly written, and one picture... it is our Casa group, my fellow students on our second day here. We live in 3 separate houses, all very close by and right near the Casa Office and Kevin & Trena´s (program directors) house.
MANGOES. They fall from the trees in Kevin & Trena´s yard, perfectly delicious treasures that are a wonderful welcome to this new place. I am planning a mago hunt as soon as I can find a basket to hold my loot!
COLORS. Bright, tropical colors adorn the houses, buses, clothes, billboards, and enviroment.
KIDS & ANIMALS. Trena and Kevin have 3 girls, with a 4th on the way! They are the most hyper, excited, bouncy kids I´ve ever met. Sophia is 9, Hannah is 7, and Grace is 4. Clare is due to arrive in October. They had a ¨Happy Days¨ bakesale to raise money for new pets. We all filled up on oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, lemonade, and pesto-tomato-mozzarella treats at the tune of just a quarter a peice. The very next day, they had a giant cage, 4 birds, and a bunny!
FOOD. Everywhere we go we are welcomed with food and open arms. This week we´re visiting all the Praxis sites where we´ll (in groups of 2-3) spend 20 hours a week learning from and with the people. Besides being spoiled by the wonderful Casa cooks, the people have welcomed us into their villages and homes with meals & treats fit for Salvadoran royalty. It is deeply humbling to be gifted so generously by those who live on so little.
WATER. My favorite place in El Salvador is a river near los Sitios where we spent the afternoon soaking and splashing with Salvadoran kids. I played ball with little ones who were undaunted by my very slow, confused Spanish while tiny fish kissed by legs. I sat in the middle of a tiny waterfall, getting a back massage from the flow... and then climbed to the top to jump in holding hands on the count of tres!
GOODNESS. I am surrounded by people, both American & Salvadoran, who are deeply committed to life as love, as compassion, as togetherness, oneness. I have landed in the middle of so much love... I am deeply grateful.
BLESSINGS. Everything I was worried about, every fear and upset has unfolded in a beautiful and better-than-I-could-have-imagined way. I am so well taken care of and I am deeply well
It´s dinnertime so I´m off, but will be back as soon as I can to give you more of this amazing place! I love you!
=)
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