Blogs from Lempa River, Central, El Salvador, Central America Caribbean - page 2

Central America Caribbean » El Salvador » Central » Lempa River March 4th 2008

I've been living on my own for the first time in a small casita, complete with a large backyard bursting with fruit trees--mangoes, lemons, limes, oranges, bananas, coconuts, maranon (cashew), almond, and others that are still a mystery to me (that and I keep forgetting the names for them). I also have my very own pila and latrine to complete the picture, and Cristina has told me that she'll be giving me a couple pollitos (chicks), and Colombia will be handing over a kitten when it's old enough. Cristina jokes that all I need now is a dog, a cow, a pig, a husband, and kids...well, I don't think all that will be happening in a year, but it's certainly nice to feel like I'm settling in. Living alone certainly has its challenges as well, but ... read more

Learning culture from the chuchos and exploring...

Central America Caribbean » El Salvador » Central » Lempa River February 29th 2008

Punches

traipsingabout

Chuchos It's amazing the things you can learn from animals. I've learned so much from the people here, but two of the most interesting interactions I've had have been with dogs. Human culture affects them as well, just as it impacts food, beliefs, government, and the natural world. My first experience was with the dog Surdan, who actually technically belongs to Cristina's mother who passed away two years ago. Since he is now left to his own devices, he wanders around to all the houses of the family members, grabbing food when he can. He's actually a sweet, calm dog--which has helped me start to get over my fear of the stray dogs here--so sometimes I give him a few pets when he's around. One morning, I had a hard boiled egg that I figured I ... read more

Mornings and Mournings in Ciudad Romero

Central America Caribbean » El Salvador » Central » Lempa River February 6th 2008

How to become a salvadoreña

traipsingabout

When you wake up in the morning in Ciudad Romero, it´s to a dawn of sounds. Around 5 a.m. the chorus of a hundred gallos commence their melancholy howling, encouraging the insects to bring their buzzing from a forte down to a piano. Some time later, the air is sprinkled with the twitters and whistles and cries of the native birds, waking up in the early light. Then the mooing and baaing starts, along with the thumping bass of rancheras, reggaeton and ballenato being played way too loud at 6 in the morning, but loud enough so that the mujeres can listen to it while they start making tortillas and washing clothes on the pilas in the yard. I have been in Ciudad Romero for almost three weeks now, and I can´t get over the beauty ... read more

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