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Published: November 22nd 2006
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Fact: so more than 50% of the countries income comes from the U.S. Half of the population here has relatives in the U.S. that send money down here.
In yesterdays paper the government is trying to implement a tax on that cash being sent from abroad to benefit the country. According to the government all the money sent is being consumed by the people and not put to use for the country. So the road will not every be repaired the school will lack equipment and the country will always be poor and more malls will be build for their consumption.
A few emails ago my cousin asked me if I was coming to El Salvador to work or to mooch. Ofcourse when I set out to come here I figured I´d stay with family because it would be cheaper. As Dan found out yesterday thats not the case, and I was told to stop spending money. I´ve spent twice as much by coming here than expected.
So let me brief you on the story of Marta. Her husband died 3 years ago and she never worked a day in her life and was dedicated to taking care
Uncles shower
I couldnt fit anymore pics on my other story about muddy trails, so I´m adding my uncles primitive but functional shower. of her children. Her monthly pension is $139 a month and thats after they take away $11 for her medicines. I didnt know this.
So now not only does she have to feed herself, but also this teenager that is staying with her and me. So on one of my first nights here Yanet had made a big bowl of popcorn, and I was like, "so what are we celebrating?" and she answered, "this is dinner." And then I felt really bad. Most nights we ate beans and were lucky to have either cheese or bread. As much as I didnt want to dip into my funds I couldnt help it, I had feed them.
On another occasion, there was no more toilet paper. Normally Marta hides things and I thought this was the case. She says to me, "were out, but I have a stack of newspapers here if you´d like!" As much as the idea crossed my head, it would probably cost me twice as much down the road by having to visit the gyno and explain I was wiping myself with newspaper that probably contains lead. And I was like, "no thanks, but you should
Uncles toilet
Just so you know there not all like this here. But just so that you get an idea of how this kind of stuff can get you ill. tell me when you start to run low on supplies."
I quickly learned that an extra $5 a month on gas is alot and so I dread every morning getting into that shower. I have to prepare myself like a boxer and say, "we can do this!" Then its the quick, quick quick, scrub......right leg, left leg.........right arm, left arm and then the plunge. I end up doing a scene from flashdance, were I´m running in place cuz the water is soo cold.
Its hard because I´m used to penny pinching at home. Like the time when I took Steves futon mattress into my room and put cardboard and sleeping bags to cover the frame to atleast have a couch to sit on. But I cant do that here.
Then came the generocity of Jose.......................................
There´s another lady that lives down the road from my uncles place also by the name of Marta. Story goes she was married to my grandmothers brother and has long ago been abondoned by her kids and grandkids. This lady is in her late 70´s and was abondoned a few years ago by the last of her grandkids and left behind a great grand kid. This woman lives by the river and any minute her house will be swept away.
When ever possible my mom and aunts send her cash, and this time my mom told me to give her a few bucks like usual. For a living this woman washes down by the river for $1 a load.
She came by the next day at my uncles place and we sat around for breakfast and she started telling us that her life has gotten better because of Jose. She starts telling us that Jose and his people came to her rescue and she willing excepted her new religion in exchange for food. She claims that the "brothers" came and rebuilt her home, buy her and the kid clothes, take her on excursions out to guatemala and give her monthly food rations.
And so I start asking her what religion is this. Mind you in El Salvador not everyone is catholic, most are jevohas, evangelist, and so on......
Well she starts to tell me the story of JOSE SMITH. I said, "jose smith? who the fuck is Jose Smith?"
And then my head starts to play an episode of South Park and the story of Jose Smith. Ofcourse I laughed and they all looked at me funny. So I asked, "did you want to join or were you forced to because of your situation, and replied that she doesnt regret it but had no choice otherwise they would starve.
So I dont want to make this any longer. Nor do I want this to be a sappy story.
But I wanted to wish you all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
And when your having dinner with your family or friends give thanks that you dont live in a country were your foced to live off of $139 a month.
And if you start to feel generous this holiday remember that I´m broke and attempting to travel the world with no money for the mere pleasure of experiencing life outside the U.S. I´d gladly take $20 off your hands for it will go along way.
HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!!!!
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danielto
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Hey, I gave you $20
And got no reciept. Scammer! Buyers Beware!