Blogs from Central, El Salvador, Central America Caribbean - page 3

After spending a few months on the very strong Central American gringo trail the offer to go and stay with a friend from back home in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador was a bit of a godsend. Prior to the offer I had tracked up through the Central American countries quicker than I had originally anticipated and I still had a number of weeks until I was due to meet Tian in Guatemala. Jay had actually started his trip a month before me and was meant to have done my trip in reverse, however he had gotten sidetracked and was actually renting an apartment in the city with a lovely French-Canadian girl called Gaëlle. The thing that immediately strikes you travelling through El Salvador is that everyone is confused as to why you are ... read more

CHECK OUT MY VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST75ZsAEqN4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbUUF_DA82o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utgj-ZIB4Ao I hardly know where to begin, as I attempt to sum up what has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I went to El Salvador to meet Funnyclown's family having almost no knowledge about El Salvador at all, other than that it is a dangerous place to travel. We were to be with his uncle, who visits the US yearly, and whom he is very close to. We would be staying at the home of Funnyclown's cousin, her husband, and their daughter, in San Salvador, the capital city. Funnyclown's Uncle, who normally lives in a home with other relatives, would be staying there at his daughter's house with us while we were visiting, in order to be able to spend as much time as possible ... read more

Today Patty, Helen, Carol and Ashley started by going to a preschool. There was 13 students and 1 teacher. They had a snack time. The teacher drew pictures in each students workbooks of a house, mountain, path and trees. Then they colored them. They also had a story time and the story was Jack and the beanstalk. After that they went back to the tables and worked on writing letters. Helen, Ashley and Carol did puzzles with the students and Patty did English/Spanish flashcards with the students. Everybody else went to the site to begin work. Today was a busy day. We painted, helped the electrician wire the house, mixed concrete, hauled water, soaked bricks,started bricking the septic tank and sifted sand. We got a lot done today!!! Finally we we're able to help with a ... read more

We started out going to the community center in Esperanza. This is a habitat community that is completed. They hope to still build a clinic. Habitat built 170 houses. We also met their co-op who also sold items including coffee. We we're introduced to some of the ladies that we're on the board. Today we celebrated Tiffany's birthday. Tonya brought a cake for us all to share. The community center serves 30 children. They brought them out to sing Happy Birthday to Tiffany. We toured the house that previous people in the group had built. We then went to the Work site around noon. today the jobs we're white washing the cement walls, filled and removal of sand and dirt around house and tamping. Norm was in the septic pit. Then we came back to room ... read more

Hello to all at home. We arrived safely. This hotel is beautiful and very peaceful. We started out our day by attending Cristo Rey Lutheran church. It was a unique experience to be able to worship with the El Salvadorian people. The pastor was very welcoming and very appreciative of us coming. He incorporated his sermon of transfiguration in relating it to how God changes us and gives our hearts the ability to make a difference. It was very moving. I was not the only one with tears in my eyes. It was great to see the youth helping Harold follow along in the service. We were able to take communion also. At the end of the service the youth of the congregation presented each of us with a cross to remember them by. Following the ... read more