I made it!
I made it! I am now in the Casa Pastoral in Berlin. The modem was recently repaired so internet capabilities have returned. Here is the breakdown of the past few days.
Saturday, June 11: I woke up at 4:30 to be at the airport by 5:30 for our 7am flight to Houston. The security line was long but a second line opened and the process sped up considerably. The Beatles’ I’ll Follow the Sun was playing as Paul and I waited for the boarding process. Thanks to Six Ways from Sunday for introducing me to that song. It seemed like an appropriate send off. The flight to Houston was not memorable, probably because I slept most of the way. Once we arrived at the Houston Airport we had a 6 hour layover. So Paul and I played cards and read to pass the time as the news loop on CNN blasted reports of the missing girl in Aruba and the Michael Jackson trial (The verdict made front page news in El Salvador today along with an extremely creepy photo). We spoke with a woman from California who teaches English frequently in Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico. We talked about politics, international responsibilities, teaching and everything in between. Then finally we boarded the plane bound for San Salvador. We were seated right on the wing so it was a little bumpy. I sat next to a woman who lives in Tucson, Arizona but who is originally from El Salvador. She was returning for the first time in twenty years. She was afraid of flying and crossed herself just as we were taking off. We had a few mini-conversations, mostly expressed through broken English/Spanish, gestures, and much laughter and giggling. The in flight entertainment featured Maid in Manhattan, so that was an experience. The customs process was not a hassle at all, it moved rather quickly. We met Bob just outside and got a ride from his taxi-driver friend to Daniela’s Friends House where we stayed two nights in the city. We met Lynn, a Drake graduate who has been here for about 6 weeks so far.
Sunday, June 12: a free day in San Salvador. We ate a small breakfast of cornflakes and watermelon and mango—good fruit! We passed some time watching cable: Emma, CNN and Scrubs. Then we walked to a Mexican Restaurant for lunch. We walked to the mall just a few blocks away to go to the movies. Paul saw Star Wars Episode III in Espanol while Lynn and I saw Spanglish, in English with Spanish subtitles. It was a good movie, better than I expected. On the way back from the mall we stopped by El Mundo Feliz which is basically a giant arcade—Chuck E. Cheese style. I was approached by a clown who thought I needed a haircut and proceeded to pull out his giant green scissors and ‘trim’ my hair. Lynn and Paul played a DDR style game. We headed back to Daniela’s before heading back out for dinner. That evening I talked with Bob about what I will be doing in El Salvador. I mentioned my sociology independent study that is basically the history and analysis of the Pastoral Team. Bob thought this was a great idea. So I was pleased to finally have an idea of what I might be doing. San Salvador is ok, but I was really looking forward to getting to Berlin the next morning.
Monday, June 13: Berlin Bound! We were supposed to leave at 7am but plans changed and we did not end up leaving until 7:45. Daniela drove us back to Berlin. The car ride was beautiful. We drove on the highway passing roadside stands, cornfields planted in ditches along the road, and climbing up the mountains a little. The ride was much smoother than I remember from four years ago. I’m sure that the past four year has allowed time for great improvements throughout the country. I was so excited to arrive at Casa Pastoral. Lynn and I are sharing the same room where I stayed during my last visit. The room looks much different without two sets of bunk beds. I accompanied Lynn and Paul to the marginalized schools where they are teaching. Paul and I played catch and soccer with some of the kids. I love their smiles. Paul is going to be working with the 5 and 6 year olds teaching English, Lynn teaches English to the older kids—age 7-15. Now that Paul is here she plans to go to the school at 8 when it starts and help the teacher of the older kids with the other lessons as well. On this day, Monday, I visited Lynn’s classroom and helped sing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes to teach the parts of the body. Lynn gave them a quiz to see if they could remember the parts they learned last week. Some of the kids ambushed me for help. I tried to help them get to the answers themselves, which almost worked. It was a fun morning. We walked down the hill from the school, back to Casa Pastoral for a delicious lunch. It was my first encounter with Cecelia’s cooking, and I am looking forward to every single other encounter I will face in the next 2 months.
We walked the post office (which reminds me, I have my contact information now, see bottom of entry) to mail some of Lynn’s postcards. On the way back from the post office we stopped at La Nevaria which is one of the local ice cream places. It is really cheap, like most things here. For example, most menu items at La Nevaria are 2 for a small price… Lynn and I got ice cream cones 2 for $1.90. Good but very sweet. While we were eating it rained hard for 2-4 minutes and by the time we left most of the street looked as if it had not rained at all. Welcome to the rainy season. Paul and Bob were going to the high school to meet the English teacher to set up some times for Paul to do English tutoring for the students. I tagged along just to look around. The school was nice. There was an open area in front of a stage, surrounded by some stone steps for bleachers. I am sure there are schools like this in California, with the hallways and classrooms surrounding a yard. Alas, the teacher we were looking for was not around so we returned to Casa Pastoral and I did some reading until I decided to take a little nap. My favorite place to sit while I read and write is on the patio in the back yard of Casa Pastoral, under the shade of an orange tree. The oranges are still small and green and look somewhat like limes. The yard also has a lime tree and an avocado tree. Bob talked to Milagro and Blanca who are members of the Pastoral Team about my project to write the history of the team. They agree that it is a good project and have made suggestions for where to begin. I am starting by looking at writings about Monsignor Oscar Romero and his assassination, as well as the massacre at El Mozote. These events are extremely important in understanding the history of the area.
Tuesday, June 14: I woke up at 7:15 in time for breakfast at 7:30. We had beans, tamales and fried plantain! My third amazing Cecelia meal. After breakfast I took a shower—so to speak. The water is not running lately so bathing consists of dumping coldish water over your head. It was certainly coldish. But I felt so refreshed afterward. Four years ago there was not running water during my week stay so I was prepared for this lifestyle. Today I read the chapter about El Salvador from Inside Central America by Clifford Kraus. It was a concise history of the major military, political, and social uprisings and other events that have made El Salvador what it is. The book also includes information about United States involvement in El Salvador. The chapter was incredibly helpful in solidifying my understanding of the history of the country and how each event is linked. I read all morning and finished just after lunch. Then I read a little from my novel, The Book of Ruth, which I am really enjoying. It began to rain so we moved inside from under the orange tree to continue reading there. But the rhythmic rainfall lulled my sleepiness and so I took a nap. After my nap I studied some Spanish for a little while. I brought some small textbooks to aid in my study but I just don’t know how effective they will be. It was my turn for washing dishes, I am in charge of dinner dishes. Also—Milagro is going to get in touch with Provida, a preventative health care organization so that I may be able to go into the cantos with them every once in a while. I will also probably visit cantons with the delegations that stay at the house. There will be four delegations while Paul and I are here. I look forward to meeting new people in the delegations and seeing familiar faces from the Heartland delegation. That is all for now as I am anxious to finally get this posted!
Here is my contact information. Mail is always great, hint, wink....
Ashley Palar
Casa Pastoral
Av. 14 de Diciembre
Barrio la Parroquia
Berlin, Usulutan
El Salvador, C.A.
Until we meet again! Ashley
Saturday, June 11: I woke up at 4:30 to be at the airport by 5:30 for our 7am flight to Houston. The security line was long but a second line opened and the process sped up considerably. The Beatles’ I’ll Follow the Sun was playing as Paul and I waited for the boarding process. Thanks to Six Ways from Sunday for introducing me to that song. It seemed like an appropriate send off. The flight to Houston was not memorable, probably because I slept most of the way. Once we arrived at the Houston Airport we had a 6 hour layover. So Paul and I played cards and read to pass the time as the news loop on CNN blasted reports of the missing girl in Aruba and the Michael Jackson trial (The verdict made front page news in El Salvador today along with an extremely creepy photo). We spoke with a woman from California who teaches English frequently in Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico. We talked about politics, international responsibilities, teaching and everything in between. Then finally we boarded the plane bound for San Salvador. We were seated right on the wing so it was a little bumpy. I sat next to a woman who lives in Tucson, Arizona but who is originally from El Salvador. She was returning for the first time in twenty years. She was afraid of flying and crossed herself just as we were taking off. We had a few mini-conversations, mostly expressed through broken English/Spanish, gestures, and much laughter and giggling. The in flight entertainment featured Maid in Manhattan, so that was an experience. The customs process was not a hassle at all, it moved rather quickly. We met Bob just outside and got a ride from his taxi-driver friend to Daniela’s Friends House where we stayed two nights in the city. We met Lynn, a Drake graduate who has been here for about 6 weeks so far.
Sunday, June 12: a free day in San Salvador. We ate a small breakfast of cornflakes and watermelon and mango—good fruit! We passed some time watching cable: Emma, CNN and Scrubs. Then we walked to a Mexican Restaurant for lunch. We walked to the mall just a few blocks away to go to the movies. Paul saw Star Wars Episode III in Espanol while Lynn and I saw Spanglish, in English with Spanish subtitles. It was a good movie, better than I expected. On the way back from the mall we stopped by El Mundo Feliz which is basically a giant arcade—Chuck E. Cheese style. I was approached by a clown who thought I needed a haircut and proceeded to pull out his giant green scissors and ‘trim’ my hair. Lynn and Paul played a DDR style game. We headed back to Daniela’s before heading back out for dinner. That evening I talked with Bob about what I will be doing in El Salvador. I mentioned my sociology independent study that is basically the history and analysis of the Pastoral Team. Bob thought this was a great idea. So I was pleased to finally have an idea of what I might be doing. San Salvador is ok, but I was really looking forward to getting to Berlin the next morning.
Monday, June 13: Berlin Bound! We were supposed to leave at 7am but plans changed and we did not end up leaving until 7:45. Daniela drove us back to Berlin. The car ride was beautiful. We drove on the highway passing roadside stands, cornfields planted in ditches along the road, and climbing up the mountains a little. The ride was much smoother than I remember from four years ago. I’m sure that the past four year has allowed time for great improvements throughout the country. I was so excited to arrive at Casa Pastoral. Lynn and I are sharing the same room where I stayed during my last visit. The room looks much different without two sets of bunk beds. I accompanied Lynn and Paul to the marginalized schools where they are teaching. Paul and I played catch and soccer with some of the kids. I love their smiles. Paul is going to be working with the 5 and 6 year olds teaching English, Lynn teaches English to the older kids—age 7-15. Now that Paul is here she plans to go to the school at 8 when it starts and help the teacher of the older kids with the other lessons as well. On this day, Monday, I visited Lynn’s classroom and helped sing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes to teach the parts of the body. Lynn gave them a quiz to see if they could remember the parts they learned last week. Some of the kids ambushed me for help. I tried to help them get to the answers themselves, which almost worked. It was a fun morning. We walked down the hill from the school, back to Casa Pastoral for a delicious lunch. It was my first encounter with Cecelia’s cooking, and I am looking forward to every single other encounter I will face in the next 2 months.
We walked the post office (which reminds me, I have my contact information now, see bottom of entry) to mail some of Lynn’s postcards. On the way back from the post office we stopped at La Nevaria which is one of the local ice cream places. It is really cheap, like most things here. For example, most menu items at La Nevaria are 2 for a small price… Lynn and I got ice cream cones 2 for $1.90. Good but very sweet. While we were eating it rained hard for 2-4 minutes and by the time we left most of the street looked as if it had not rained at all. Welcome to the rainy season. Paul and Bob were going to the high school to meet the English teacher to set up some times for Paul to do English tutoring for the students. I tagged along just to look around. The school was nice. There was an open area in front of a stage, surrounded by some stone steps for bleachers. I am sure there are schools like this in California, with the hallways and classrooms surrounding a yard. Alas, the teacher we were looking for was not around so we returned to Casa Pastoral and I did some reading until I decided to take a little nap. My favorite place to sit while I read and write is on the patio in the back yard of Casa Pastoral, under the shade of an orange tree. The oranges are still small and green and look somewhat like limes. The yard also has a lime tree and an avocado tree. Bob talked to Milagro and Blanca who are members of the Pastoral Team about my project to write the history of the team. They agree that it is a good project and have made suggestions for where to begin. I am starting by looking at writings about Monsignor Oscar Romero and his assassination, as well as the massacre at El Mozote. These events are extremely important in understanding the history of the area.
Tuesday, June 14: I woke up at 7:15 in time for breakfast at 7:30. We had beans, tamales and fried plantain! My third amazing Cecelia meal. After breakfast I took a shower—so to speak. The water is not running lately so bathing consists of dumping coldish water over your head. It was certainly coldish. But I felt so refreshed afterward. Four years ago there was not running water during my week stay so I was prepared for this lifestyle. Today I read the chapter about El Salvador from Inside Central America by Clifford Kraus. It was a concise history of the major military, political, and social uprisings and other events that have made El Salvador what it is. The book also includes information about United States involvement in El Salvador. The chapter was incredibly helpful in solidifying my understanding of the history of the country and how each event is linked. I read all morning and finished just after lunch. Then I read a little from my novel, The Book of Ruth, which I am really enjoying. It began to rain so we moved inside from under the orange tree to continue reading there. But the rhythmic rainfall lulled my sleepiness and so I took a nap. After my nap I studied some Spanish for a little while. I brought some small textbooks to aid in my study but I just don’t know how effective they will be. It was my turn for washing dishes, I am in charge of dinner dishes. Also—Milagro is going to get in touch with Provida, a preventative health care organization so that I may be able to go into the cantos with them every once in a while. I will also probably visit cantons with the delegations that stay at the house. There will be four delegations while Paul and I are here. I look forward to meeting new people in the delegations and seeing familiar faces from the Heartland delegation. That is all for now as I am anxious to finally get this posted!
Here is my contact information. Mail is always great, hint, wink....
Ashley Palar
Casa Pastoral
Av. 14 de Diciembre
Barrio la Parroquia
Berlin, Usulutan
El Salvador, C.A.
Until we meet again! Ashley
posted by Ashley at 8:17 PM
2 Comments:
Ashley and El Salvador: One of my favorite persons in the world and one of my favorite place in the world, together. This will be a great summer.
Mark Davis
Hi Ash,
Wow, you are verbose, but that will happen in blogs. I'm glad it sounds like you are having fun. I hope this summer doesn't go too fast. Stay awesome and updating. Cheers,
Brian Ching ; )
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