There is no dunkin donuts here...adjusting to life in El Salvador

And the journey begins...

So far on this trip we've traveled 6 hours in an airplane, over 10 hours by bus, and 3 hours in row boat and we've only been here for 2 and half days. Now, if that isn't a metaphor for this being a personal "journey", I'm not sure what is.

A couple of things I'll note right off the bat.

1. Its very hot here, uncomfortably hot

2. The myth about everyone carrying a gun is completely false (in fact I've only seen one)

3. I'm not living in a tree house

4. There is food everywhere! From Burger King to my personal favorite (although I have not tasted it, "Pollo Compero" which I can liken to a more elaborate KFC) to little corner cafes selling homemade papusa's and vendor selling plantains and fruit while you ride the bus.

5. But there is no dunkin donuts.

Now that I've clarfied those things...these first few days have been overwhelming in all senses of the word. After arriving at the airport, Joquain and his father picked us up along with another American volunteer Zach. We then returned to Joquain's house where Deborah and I will be staying for the next three months. Its an adorable little place with a beautiful garden and patio in the back. We have a bright orange bedroom to share. Two other European volunteers (Marla and Hanna) were also staying at the house on Saturday night. We enoyed the El Salvador vs. US Soccer game which happily/unhappily the US won.

On Sunday we got up at 4:00 am and by 4:30 were on the road in Joquain's family truck to take the other volunteers to Meanguera Island. After a three hour car ride, we then got onto a row boat with a motor for the next hour and sped through the gulf of fonesca to one of the most beautiful and equally destitute places I've ever been. The beauty of this island is such contrast to the poverty present there. Deborah and I were rather relieved that we had chosen the teaching placement and not this island turtle habitat. The volunteers have a small room with only beds, a shower/toilet/sink-in-one and a lot of pesky bugs to handle for the next few months. Of course Joquain is friends with the owner of the one hotel on the island and we had an excellent meal on the gorgeous deck.That night we slept in hammocks overlooking the gulf and again awoke at sunrise (5:00am) to take the "bus" or a larger rowboat with a motor for the hour back to mainland followed by a 4.5 hour bus ride back to San Salvador and then another bus ride to Santa Tecla (all before 2pm). We hadn't showered, brushed our teeth or had a thing to eat. It was a little rough by the end. However, our trip was worth it as yesterday afternoon we had the opportunity to liberate endangered sea turtles that had been living in protective care!

And now back to work. We briefly visited our school this afternoon. I'm not sure what I was expecting but its a far cry from White Plains High. The classrooms are half outside, and the average class size is around 36! No one else speaks english either. So we have quite a challenge ahead of us. Right now I need to go write a lesson plan on teaching colors.

I feel very comfortable in our house with our host family and the other volunteers (who are on the island during the week) are wonderful and will likely visit on weekends. I'm exhausted (as clearly indicated by the poor prose of this blog) but looking forward to the weeks ahead.

xoxo