Congratulations A bouquet and a thank you to Robyn for her work giving voice to these youth. You have met challenges and discomforts for an excellent purpose, and enjoyed it, too!
"just calling to say I love it!" Robyn, you have just communicated the epitome of what I want to say in my blog. This is the life that I am slowly accepting as my own and it is a beautiful, lively, confusing and awakening life that has made me think and rethink so many things.
I'm so glad you found pizza hut and were able to enjoy it's many wonders. Did you try the tres leches?! yummm... We'll have to make a pizza hut date some time soon. Lemme know when you'll be in the city next.
Be well,
Pollita
Hard to say... Hola Maricella!!
I guess this entry has brought into question my personal beliefs about immigration. I would have to say that it´s difficult to say how this experience has "altered" my point of view of immigration...at least illegally, I would never wish upon anyone (including people I know here, and people I have yet to meet) the dangerous experience of attempting to cross the border illegally, much less the life that "begins" in the United States afterwards, with the working conditions, paranoia and discrimination.
That being said, I must say that I understand the reasons for people wanting to pursue a dream for themselves, their children, and their families. With the opportunities here so low, and the prices so high (a gallon of gas for $4.27), people find that they have to emigrate to try to make a life for their loved ones--most of the Salvadoran economy depends on the "remesas" from relatives in the United States.
I´ve always seen immigration as a complicated issue...especially when thinking about being a descendant from immigrants myself (along with most "UnitedStatesians"), and I´m still torn about it. I just wanted to put forth some of these stories that I´ve been hearing from people I know here, so that people I know "there" may see a different perspective as well.
A great movie to watch is "Under the Same Moon" (Abajo de la Misma Luna), which I watched yesterday. The DVD was sent down here to Jefferson (at 5 years old, my "host nephew") from his mother, who lives in the United States.
Thanks for reading.
spectacular robyn, the more i read of your adventures, the more and more happy i become just reveling in the fact that i know you. the breaking away VHS (bless VHS) you sent me that one time sits on my shelf and whenever i see it i think of you. you are wonderful!
Wow You never cease to amaze me, Robyn. As I sit here in the KCSN radio station, writing "news" (Burbank's Metrolink is getting a bicycle parking lot, HUZZAH!), I am amazed and enthralled by your experiences in Salvador. One day I hope that I am as enterprising and as brave as you; to go out into the world beyond the confines of my North American home and actually make a Difference (not the capital 'D').
And don't be ashamed of not being completely acclimated to the culture yet -- it takes years to become completely aware of a society's social mores. You may be immersed in the culture, but cultivation can only happen through repeated exposure. ;-)
Also, for what it's worth as the resident veg*n, I definitely felt like calling PeTA after seeing your pictures of punches!
Love and miss you,
Krissy
The Ripple Robyn,
This entry is pretty astounding. The images of the punches gave me the willies, but it's so true about the disconnection many of us have with our food. I'm reading Dave Eggers's most recent novel/biography, "What Is The What?" It's about Southern Sudan...yet another work of art that provokes me to think about what action is appropriate from one so wealthy (me) when I feel uncomfortable with what's going on outside of my personal sphere of influence. Hmmm. I'm pretty sure that inquiry is a good place to start.
Wow! Robyn, your adventures sound amazing already!! I really REALLY wish I spoke Spanish. Your work sounds just what I would love to do!!! I was in Ghana in the fall, and did a theatre for development project with Liberian refugee children. They are incredible people, with DELICIOUS FOOD! Oh my god I miss the food so much! I cannot wait to read more of your blogs!
Ciudad Romero Ahhhhh waking up to the soothing sounds of reggaeton and gallos (makes me nostalgic about Galapagos...tear, tear)
Great use of imagery and amazing pics! Can't wait to sweat profusely while I meet some of these extraordinary people!
YESSS! incredible account of things that are only within the depths of my imagination right now. I can happily say however, that though I am not melting at the sight of cerditos every day, I have savored many a pupusa in the past few weeks. Did you buy a guitar down here? There's one at FUNDAHMER, which I have been trying to learn on, but if I end up in Sacacoyo, I might think about investing in my own! any tips?
Hope all is well! Sounds like it is!
Hasta prontisimo
xxoo
pollita numero dos
o robyn! thank you for keeping this journal. your words brought tears to my eyes and beautiful refreshing perspective to los angeles. please keep writing.
Ewww Wow Robyn and Aaron...
hats off to you my friends...looks like an adventure for the stomach...i don't know if I could have done it...i agree with Lilan though...when things are deep fried it helps:)
you guys are silly. in Taiwan I ate bees and they were delicious. But anything deep-fried can be pretty delicious. You should try deep-frying the tentacles, Robyn.
PISCO SOUR DRINK AS MUCH OF THAT SHIT AS YOU CAN. I WAS IN LOVE WITH CHILE FOR THIS REASON. :) you look like you are having so much fun, and all seriousness, Chile was actually one of my favorite places that I visited. Everyone else wasn't that thrilled, but for some reason, I loved it. Have fun and keep safe!
What a role model!!! I'm so very, very glad to hear you are recovering rapidly. You youngsters can to that!! Your positive outlook is helping you heal all the faster. Are you out to see the world these days??? Here's hoping you can continue on your journey with Aaron very soon. I'm totally green with envy that you have the Galapagos Islands in your immediate future!! What a fabulous adventure you are having and will have. I'm sending all good and positive thoughts for your road to complete wellness. Love and kisses, m'dear.
poo Hey girl. Monica told me a little while ago and I am so sad for you right now, though it does sound like an adventure. I think i drunk dialed you a week or so ago...i hope it was good...i dont remember. Just know that i think about you everyday. Drop me a note or give me a call once you can speak again. I had a wine wednesday Scrabble night with Laurie yesterday and she tried to get points off the word vaj. Not only is it spelled wrong....an abriviation...but also a dirty word. You would have laughed. Good times...i miss you.
mahoffer@hotmail.com hi...i am argentinian...landed to your page by chance...I was thinking about that ham thing (and yes, it is an obsession...when I was in britain and I was offered sandwhichs of vegetables or even "more strange" things, I simply wondered why not old ham and cheese)...well, i was saying, you do have a point about pigs...i have grown up in a rural town, and I never saw a pig. I remember my grandparents (spaniards) used to go to same friends in te countryside (also spaniards) and got back with ham, chorizo, and so on (it is a spanish tradition called matanza: they killed the pig "on spot" and do things from it). They came back with lot of ham and chorizos, so pigs must exist somewhere, but they are not to be seen except to some people (maybe you have to be a spaniard). I will ask my father one of these days if he knows anything about pigs in the pampas....
Martin
tis but a scratch sorry to hear about your ordeal, my dearest. but chin up (couldn't resist!) i know you and that you're smiling through it all, as best you can. youll be back on the road in no time-i should know, i think you and i are woven of the same fabric. do continue to keep us posted-i enjoy hearing from you.
god this was sappy. fuck off bitch! there, now i feel better.
I am currently in Central America to work on a project with ArtCorps (www.artcorp.org) in El Salvador. The rest I can only try to explain.
Whenever I'm traveling, it's always nice to take a step back and think, "Is there anything else I'd rather be doing right now? Working? Sleeping? Wearing clean clothes? Eating familiar food? Staring at a blank wall?" The answer is always no (except maybe when it comes to sleeping and pizza--then the answer might be yes). Thus, I keep a journal.
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/robynest
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Ben
non-member comment
can you please
Can you please bring me a Kolashampan I have been craving one for like 10 years now.