Adapting to El Salvador and its Culture

As some of you know already, I was raised in a country somewhat similar to El Salvador. The morning commute; dreadful, the looking over my shoulder every 10 seconds while I walk; annoying, reading the newspaper everyday and seeing headlines such as: 14 dead after bus was set on fire or 3 bus drivers assassinated because they failed to pay the "gang toll"; discouraging. However, much similar to Colombia, Salvadorians from all around the country show signs and eagerness for change and, most importantly, for peace.

My way of adapting to the culture of this country has not be at all difficult. We go out and experience the night life and dance to tunes very familiar to me...Cumbia, Salsa, and merengue are some of the sounds that have entered my ears and allowed me to feel comfortable with my surroundings.The other day, for example, on the micro-bus, the bus driver recognized my Colombian bracelet and let out a big smile and changed the song to one of my favorite Colombian Cumbias....I FELT AS IF I WAS IN COLOMBIA.

It is certainly easier for me to move around the city because of my level of Spanish (its my first language)....so when it comes to greetings, market negotiations, or just random inquiries about the city I am treated just like a Salvadorian. Nevertheless, there have been times when people recognize my accent and are delighted to hear where I am from. I tell them about Canada as well and they sometimes change their attitude towards me...after much thought on the matter, I came to the conclusion that NORTH AMERICANS DO NOT LEAD A SIMILAR LIFE IN ANY WAY...which then makes some people grow shy, quiet, or outright uninterested.

My experience in El Sal has definitely been a life changing one. The fact that our organization is highly progressive and conscious of social issues has enabled me to step out of my comfort zone. Every morning I listen to Leslie(the director) or Veronica (Spanish coordinator) talk about social equality, rights for people, the revolution; what was accomplished; what needs to be done with this accomplishment, etc. I believe truly that this very indirect influence will greatly impact my future.

Tastes, Traffic, and Salvadorian Friendliness

Like I mentioned in the past blog, Salvadorians love their famous pupusas. There are pupuserias all over the city and usually their goodness can be found in each and one of them. For the first two weeks all I did was eat pupusas, by now I feel like I have them coming out of my ears...so I decided to switch it up a bit. In North America, our fruits, vegetables, and other "natural" foods are often sprayed or grown with some weird chemical. In El Sal, however, fruits and vegetables are quite delicious and full of flavour.

Making my way around San Salvador has been quite the difficult task. As opposed to Toronto, here people do not use N/S/W/E directions to find their way. Instead, everything is followed by land marks. This means that when you ask for directions or you are trying to tell a cab driver where you are headed you will be directed by this: "I need to go a house near the other side of the university, close to the street vendor with the umbrella full of colour's, and just past the park with the blue swings"...it is quite hilarious but at the same time it is also the most practical way.

Salvadorians are extremely nice and attentive. In the mornings when I make my walk towards the bus I am greeted by 40'000 strangers..."buenos dias don", they say...I love this because I was born in a country where everybody starts up conversations and greets the person walking beside or in the opposite direction. It is quite unfortunate that in Toronto people can be as cold as the weather. In El Sal, it really does make a difference when someone gives you a wink, a wave, or a big great smile. Culturally it real does make a huge difference...

The Salvadorian Scoop

Hello Everyone!

I have arrived safely in San Salvador, El Salvador and its quite gorgeous!!! The first couple of days were amazingly, and exuberantly, hot....however, it has been raining for the past 3 days straight and theres word on the "forecast" news that there's a huricane on its way over here. Hopefully it won't hit too hard as I've never really experienced one of those.

So in general El Salvador is a beautiful and friendly country. For the past 18 years, since the end of a 12 year civil war, El Salvador has progressing and evolving towards a more peaceful and understanding future. However, the pain of the past is very prevalent in the lives of each Salvadorian and the resilience to survive is reflected in the struggle for survival of those horrific years. The work I started doing this past week has been mostly in picking out details from the devastating war and exposing them to Salvadorian English students. Some of them know too well the pain of those years, but for others it has been like awakening a sleeping giant in their heart. The patterns of violence, repression, discrimination, and persecution are all too prevalent in the dire situation of the country today. For this reason I am highly honored and scared to begin English classes that are based on providing some tools for Salvadorians to be the writers and ambassadors of their own future.

I decided to start talking about the war and its consequences because the culture of El Salvador in many ways is highly related to it. However, it has been a roller coaster to place its culture under one single banner. The country proudly thrives on its famous pupusas....they are tortillas with lots of goodies inside....I have been eating them for lunch for the past week, they are quite delicious. I am Colombian and very proud that Salvadorians adore Colombian Cumbia. This has allowed me to feel closer to my second home and more comfortable with what surrounds me.

to be continued....;)

The Wonders of Air Transportation

Just when I thought my brain was back my flight got cancelled. I was supposed to leave at 6 am and be in El Sal at noon. Obviously it did not happen that way. The flight was cancelled and I didn't leave Toronto till 4:30pm. Made my way to Memphis and then to ATL. Now I'm in a hotel room by the ATL airport. Ugh! My brain was beginning to function towards el Sal and now I don't even now when I'll reach my destination. I guess it's all part of te experience, however not eating for 15 hrs has gotten me in a tiring trance. Hopefully the pizza will come soon :) oh wait there it is. Thanks for reading my transportation blabber.
Until next time :)

The Checklist

Toothbrush- Check
Soap - Check
Towel - Check
Shaving Cream/Razor - Check
Brain - (?)

I believe these past few months have been the slowest ones of my life. I wanted so bad for the day that I was leaving for El Salvador to come that I completely forgot that my brain was hardly prepared to undertake this task. Last week some panic ensued and now I notice that these two weeks have been the fastest ever. I'm I ready? I ask myself that question everyday. What I'm I doing there? It'll come to me...I know it. However, it is a question that has been lurking in my head for some time now and the more I read and learn about El Salvador the more I feel like it will be completely different.