2011 Highlights

Ok, friends.  In an attempt to resurrect my blogging habits (Dana, Callie ... 2012 Examen calendar??  Or at least some prompts for January?), here are some photos of important and not-so-important things that happened in my life in 2011.

Sister visit, San Salvador

January

Friend's cousin's wedding in Nahuizalco

February

Juayua

February

Valentine's Day dinner, Cal Pipil

February

Yes, I still flex my baking muscles every once in a while.

Mediation Team training, Colegio Bautista Emmanuel

March

Msr. Romero Commemorative March, San Salvador

March

Canadians, new friends, new homes, Alegria

April

Galway Girls mini-reunion! San Salvador, Alegria, La Libertad

June

It was super-cold the day we went to the laguna in Alegria, but our toes are toasty!

Wading in the hot springs.

Middle school and high school solidarity projects, San Salvador

July/August

These are some of my lovely 7th graders.

Classy McDonald's stop between MARTE, San Salvador's art museum, and dancing with Karen's friends from the University.  I have no idea what Cesar, el Oso, nor Miguel are doing ... 

August

The ladies - Cecy, Marce, Iso, Karen, and myself

Same classy McDonald's stop, San Salvador

August

Mediation Team field trip to historical sights, San Salvador

August/September

Learning to drink coconut water from said coconut

9th grade solidarity project field trip

August/September

Adam visits for a month to do research on US-El Salvador government relations during the civil war years.

September

International Day of Prayer for Peace, organized by Mediation Team, Colegio Bautista Emmanuel

September

BVS Retreat to San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

September

Celebtrating Canadian Thanksgiving with Lynden and Elizabeth, two MCC volunteers, San Salvador

Yes, that's my apartment, and a large roast chicken.

October

Folk dancing in central park in Santiago de Maria, just down the mountain from Alegria

October

Mediation Team "Seniors farewell" fieldtrip, San Salvador

November

Visiting with my boys, Sam, Milo, and Cal in North Manchester, IN

November

Thanksgiving with the family - Mom, Dad, Grandma, Megan, and Heather

November 

Thanksgiving part II with Mom's side - Mom, Benjamin, Aunt Karen, Vanessa, me, Heather, Megan, Uncle Fred, and Pop-Pop.  A really wonderful day.

November

What luck!  Met members of the Salvadoran National Beach Soccer team, who recently placed 4th in the Beach Soccer World Cup in Ravenna, Italy, while they were training at a beach resort on the Costa del Sol.

December

Closing talent show for Cal Pipil, the youth center.  Somehow I was talked into singing Someone Like You, by Adele, so here's the video.  You might need QuickTime to play it ... not sure.

December

Drinking "contraband" microbrews I smuggled from the US, while celebrating a friend's birthday in Los Planes.  Chamba w/ Mad Anthony's IPA, me with a leftover Mexican Indio, and Carlos with Otto's Slab Cabin IPA.  It was so fun to see their reactions ... we're dreaming up the possibility of making our own brew .

San Salvador

December

Christmas in Alegria with the family from my "house" where I worked in April.

December

Sunset, 22 December 2011, microbrew birthday sample day.

San Salvador

Much as the sun sets each day, it will now set on 2011.  Here's to remembering the good times, learning from the not so good, and keeping a positive outlook for 2012.  Happy New Year!

Where were you on January 1, 2011?

I spent January 1 in a hammock, journaling, reading, dozing, and listening to music.  It's common here for families to go to the beach or somewhere, get out of the house, on the 1st, but we [the family with whom I lived with at the time] didn't do any such things.  It certainly wasn't a bad way to spend the day ... but I'm hoping this year holds a little more excitement ... Happy New Year!

What aspects of your life need attention in 2012?

A lot.  I feel like there were so many goals I had set for myself when I entered BVS, and I've really only accomplished a few.

This coming year I want to focus on my spirituality, which has been put on the back burner ... much like Dana's barnacles of cynicism, I too feel like I have some sort of growth plaguing me and my attention to religion.  Knowing that my beliefs are drastically different from those of many members of the congregation here exhausts me, so much so that I've failed to see the similarities.  And this also doesn't help in the feeling of a lack of community between myself and the rest of the congregation and many of the staff.  I need to concentrate on the positive, rather than the negative.  I only hope they also give me the space to do so.

I also want to give more attention to nurturing the relationships I've formed here, both with other volunteers and Salvadorans.  I know there's a point at which people sort of stop becoming involved in other people's lives because they will soon have to part for an indefinite period of time, but I hope to maintain and strengthen relationships in 2012, rather than focus on the parting process.  If anything, I want to expand my circle of community.

While I want to continue strengthening relationships, I know I must also inevitably think about the future and what lies ahead for me post-BVS.  Yikes!  I want to find a healthy balance between planning for the next steps and being fully present in, well, the present.

And like everyone else, I too should exercise more often, eat better, stop drinking so much gaseosa (soda), and get more sleep!

If 2011 had a hashtag, what would it be?

This is a question for a girl who never uses Twitter (and frankly doesn't really understand hashtags) ...

#discernment

#patiencegrasshopper

#solidaridadpazjusticia

#lagringaylosguanacos

Who was important to you? - 28 December

I started out with a list of people, and then decided that if I forget someone, or don't include someone, they'll feel left out and "unimportant" ... so, I've decided a general grouping of folks is more inclusive ... 

WSG, my family, all involved in BVS Unit #291 (staff included), close amigos y amigas here in El Salvador, community members of Las Americas and Altos de Guadalupe in Alegria, July 2011 NCP delegation, a select few church/school/youth center coworkers, a handful of Canadians, Manchester Church of the Brethren, and the congregation here at Emmanuel, however close or not-so-close I feel to them.

What did you give up? - 27 December

Oooh this is a good one.  Most prominently, I've given up my independence, but not without a fight.  Living as a single (blonde, attractive) woman in El Salvador (and in other parts of Latin America) is not easy.  I'm headstrong, stubborn, and impatient.  I don't like to wait for other people to be ready to hang out with me, or find time to hang out with me, or just merely accompany me to the market.  ...But have found it's sometimes necessary to do things that way.

I've grown more bold in the last few months, venturing out on my own downtown to run errands, taking the bus to the other side of the city to see friends, rather than waiting for someone else to help me do these things.  But, this odesn't come without a price.  I run the risk of assaults, robberies, etc. when I try to be as independent as is possible in the US.

I'm working on finding a balance.  I do still sometimes ask for a (male) friend to accompany me downtown or elsewhere, but have also decided that if I'm to live in solidarity, I must run the same risks as everyone else ...

I also don't get to drive very much anymore.  I love driving.

Who surprised you? - 26 December

My friend and co-hort, Josue Cruz.  It's hard to say that he really surprised me.  I'd rather say that our very strong friendship has surprised me ... I'm surprised that after meeting him in 2009 that we'd be as close as we are.  I'm surprised at how lucky I am to continue working with him.  I'm surprised by his amount of energy.

I write this post in the most platonic manner possible.  While during my first trip to El Salvador in 2009 I may have had a slight crush on Josue, said crush dissipated as quickly as it came, and has blossomed into a strong friendship and deep (platonic) love for him.

And if he gets another job somewhere else and stops working at the church, I might lose my mind.  But that's a whole other story.

Where did you spend the most time? - 25 December

In my little office that I share with Josue in the Youth Center.  In my apartment.  Actually, likely in the very chair I'm sitting, in the same "writing on the computer" position.

Close seconds:  On buses, in church, teaching at the school, traipsing around downtown San Salvador.

What did you make? - 24 December

Friends, community, dice, cookies, chicken, turkey, a kitchen counter, a home away from home, a lot of copies, mango rice (don't ever make mango rice in Latin America, they will laugh at you for a year or more ... they're still laughing), hot chocolate, bread ...

What sunrise / sunset was most vivid? - 23 December

I admit I'm rarely awake early enough to see a sunrise ... I'm not sure I've actually seen one this entire year.

However, I've seen some great sunsets.  Unfortunately, I haven't yet experienced a sunset on the beach, but I hope that in the last days of 2011 or sometime in 2012 I get to experience one.

Just recently I was hanging out with some friends in a favorite spot: La Puerta del Diablo, or Devil's Gate.  Here are some photos from that excursion ... as well as a beautiful sunset.  (It was a friend's birthday, I'd cooked a turkey earlier in the day and we'd shared lunch in my apartment, and then shared the "contraband" microbrews I'd smuggled down from Indiana and PA ... a good day.)

Mad Anthony's IPA (IN), a leftover Mexican Indio, and Otto's Slab Cabin (PA)

The Mad Anthony's IPA unfortunately somehow skunked between when I bought it and when we drank it, but Chamba (in the green) didn't mind at all.

What gifts did you give? What gifts did you receive? - 22 December

Given:  Tshirts, company, microbrewed beer, food, books, positive energy, thoughts, prayers, more food.

Received:  Grace, patience, counsel, community, love, friendship, food, a trip to the beach, hugs, sense of security, prayers, thoughts, positive energy, good conversation.

What did you learn? - 21 December

Spanish.  The fact that I'm a very impatient person, even though I don't necessarily think I am.  That I need to manage my finances more responsibly.  How to fry a whole fish.  How to take care of and respond to needs of delegation members from the northern region.  That in order to sustain one's self, one need not buy fancy cheese or expensive wine.  Sometimes beans and eggs and some cheddar are enough.  That Christmas doesn't come from a store ... Christmas, indeed, means a little bit more.

Who came into your life in 2011? - 20 December

A lot of people.  Anyone special?  Still discerning ...

What's the best decision you made this year? - 19 December

Trying to branch out from the small world of Emmanuel Baptist and the surrounding neighborhood.  Branching out has meant building my own community ... sharing with people I may not have met otherwise, going places I might not have otherwise gone, etc.  Highlights:  a wedding in Nahuizalco (in the mountains near the border with Guatemala), dancing to my heart's content with good friends, dreaming up the possibility of making beer (note:  dreaming is the key word), and spending Christmas in a community where I feel loved and valued.

When were you the angriest? - 18 December

I don't feel like I've had very many angry moments this year.  But, I've definitely been pretty steamed when I've had to deal with residency issues.  At one point, I needed extra passport pages because I had to hurry up and run out of El Salvador to Mexico for a last-minute visa renewal when my lawyer didn't get me my residency documents in time to make the trip to the office ... I called the US Embassy's Passport Emergency number, since I knew it was after normal public attention hours (that means it was after 11:30am), and they told me I needed to come in the following day because they wouldn't see me.  I gave the girl an earful (in Spanish, mind you) about this number being an emergency number and that my case was an emergency because I didn't know what would happen if I zipped off to Mexico without the appropriate number of spaces for the 6 stamps I needed ... They did see me, but not until I insisted and the girl spoke to her supervisor, and then told me I'd have to pay $80.  Just thinking about that day gives me a headache.  Definitely not one of my finer moments.

When did you see God at work? - 17 December

This prompt makes me think of times when I've seen God in action, like, a moment that I can pinpoint, when I can say, Yes, there was God or there is God at work right now this very second.  But as I think back on the year, it's more of a blur ...

[Elapsed time: 8 days]

I see God in relationships.  This year I've seen God in the Ah-Ha! moments with delegations, in interactions with others, sometimes in church, in music, in sharing a meal, in the smile of a child.

What's the most whimsical/spontaneous/ridiculous thing you did?

I really, sadly, can't think of anything incredibly spontaneous or ridiculous or whimsical I did this year.  I did dress up as Minnie Mouse for Kid's Day at church, that seemed pretty whimsical.  Spontaneous ... nothing comes to mind.  Ridiculous?  Nothing there either.  I guess this means I'm old.  Boo.

When did you struggle?

Finally caught up!

Um, right now.  Seriously.  Big-time struggling.  Details at a later date.  I ask for support, good energy, love, light, and understanding.

Where'd you find the best cup of coffee? - 14 December

Hostal Entre Piedras, Alegria, Usulutan, El Salvador.  By far.  Beats the pants off any other cup I've had in my life.  Beans are grown nearby (like a mile from the place), locally roasted, and freshly ground.  Aaaahhhhhh.

What cracked you up? - 13 December

My students at school, Josue (Co-Coordinator with me in the peace education program), Daniel (a youth center volunteer), other kids and teens at the youth center, fellow BVS'er Steve Mullaney, the various tics and group dynamics with the Canadian and US delegations I've worked with this year.  (Also frustrations, but definitely some laughable moments!)

Also, any improv from Josue, Daniel, and Carlos.  And if it involves a guitar, even better.  It's in Spanish, but it's still funny:

And this too:

When did you feel the most relaxed? - 12 December

Relaxed?  I don't know what that means.

1.  When I escape the smog and noise of San Salvador.
2.  During a great conversation.  Well, it's a different kind of relaxation I suppose, because sometimes conversations make me anxious or tense but in a good way!
3.  Dozing in a hammock with a good book.  Still need to get one for my apartment.

What rocked your world, changed your life, shifted the ground beneath your feet? - 11 December

"You rocked my world, you know it's true ... "  Thanks, MJ.

BVS.  Period.  As "insiders" often say, I'm ruined for life!

When did you take the easy way? - 10 December

Oh dear, when living in Latin America it's very common to take the easy way.  Arriving late to meetings or other commitments, telling white lies to get out of things (No, really, we're out in Soyapango, won't be back in the city until much later ... when actually you're just standing out on the street by your house so the caller hears the background noise of traffic ...), or hiding information so you don't "damage the relationship" with another person, because what you might know will make them mad or something, and so you'd rather just keep it to yourself.  Or what's even more common is gossiping behind other people's backs, and not actually going to the person directly and telling them what's up or what's bothering you or whatever.

So, when did I take the easy way?  These generalizations aside, I've whittled away hours on Facebook rather than working (haven't we all??), and have unfortunately adapted to the little white lies, but I promise, I swear, I only use those to get out of seeing or spending time with people whom only want to hang out with me because I'm a "gringa".  One guy a couple weeks ago told me that one of his dreams, ever since he was a kid, was to go out with a gringa.  In that very instant, I tried as hard as I could to get out of seeing him.  ... It worked.  But it's a disgusting habit.

What was your favorite blog post ... that you read or wrote? - 9 December

I'm addicted to all the entries on Smitten Kitchen and Orangette.  Probably because I'm often looking for recipes ...  I don't think I could choose just one.

My favorite that I wrote might actually be the responses to these questions.  C'mon, ladies  [Dana Cassell, Callie Surber], we need a year-long calendar of these things!

Where did you spend your money? - 8 December

Catching up!

This year has been pretty up and down in terms of expenditures.  Sometimes I feel like I have way more money than most of my peers, and then other times I'm scraping pennies, yes, pennies to pay for tortillas or bus fare.  Of course, it's always, ALWAYS a blessing to know that no matter what happens, in 2 weeks or less, BVS will pay me again and I'll no longer be destitute.

It's also very different to be a white person who earns a similar salary as a full-time employed Salvadoran.  It's often expected that the white girl's gonna pay (usually not the case!) ... Sometimes that really gets to me.  And other times I just brush it off.

But, when I went to the market the other day, I was thinking about this particular question, and I wanted to share the list of things I got at the downtown market and nearby shops this past Saturday.  FOR $15.  Keep that in mind.  (amounts vary, but think about this being for one person for a week)

A bunch of spinach-like greens
Tomatoes
Onions
6 bananas
Jamaica (not the country) to make a refresco
Green peppers
Jalapeños
2 fish
A pile of dried oregano
Carrots
Potatoes
2 small facial towels
2 "mantas" - towels for tortillas
600g of laundry detergent
1 bar of soap
2 pkgs of Christmas lights
1 laundry tub
A reusable bag (that appears to be made out of a fertilizer bag, as it says "Toxic" and "Oxidagent" or something.

Now that's responsible spending.

What astonished you? - 7 December

Maybe it's not so astonishing to ya'll who've lived in other countries and learned new languages, but I am constantly amazed at how far I've come with my Spanish skills.  There have even been Guatemalans who've questioned my origins, because apparently I speak with a pretty thick Salvadoran accent.  It's pretty cool.  It makes me feel part of something.

When did you celebrate? - 6 December

Birthdays, parties, Saturday afternoons with a few beers and good friends, dancing ... There have been many celebrations this year, but I think the one that sticks out most prominently in my mind is the time I was back in the US to visit for Thanksgiving.  The entire trip felt like one big celebration, but there was a very special celebration in North Manchester that didn't really take the form of a typical celebration (no booze, no fancy food, no formal attire) and it was a post-church breakfast with my three favorite kiddos - Sam, age 7; Calvin, age 5; and Milo, age 3; of the Hupp-Brown household.  It was so great (really, I need a better word, because great doesn't even scratch the surface) to spend time with them throughout the 4 days I was visiting Manchester, and that particular brunch made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside that I really didn't want it to end.  I felt loved.  And I will celebrate those seemingly insignificant moments for the rest of my days.

What were your favorite songs? - 5 December

A mix of Marketa Irglova, Ray Lamontagne, The Swell Season, Dawes, Los Enanitos Verdes, Soda Stereo, Silvio Rodriguez, Guardabarranco, and Illapu have kept me sane throughout the year.  And Adele is pretty great, too.

5.  Vuelvo para vivir - Illapu
4.  Si buscabas - Guardabarranco
3.  Falling slowly - The Swell Season
2.  Crossroads - Marketa Irglova
1.  Casa abierta - Guardabarranco

What was the best book you read? - 4 December

This has been a year of re-reading favorites, mostly.  It's not easy to find books in English, so the ones I do have are those that bring me the most comfort.  I've read a lot of David Sedaris, always good for a laugh.  My friend Katie left me A Game of Thrones when she came to visit in June, and I devoured it.  I re-read Eat, Pray, Love, not necessarily for the plot, nor the eating part, though I love food ... but because there are some great lines in there that I really appreciate.  However, the best book award goes to Isabelle Allende's Of Love and Shadows.  Couldn't put it down.  Then picked it back up again because it was so good.

Where did you visit this year? - 3 December

The better question might be, where didn't I visit this year?  

Various places and beaches within El Salvador, as well as Copan, Honduras, Antigua, Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala, Tapachula, Mexico, and San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.  And just about all points in between.

What was the most delicious meal you ate? - 2 December

Thanksgiving was pretty great.  Grandma's cranberry salad always makes my tummy happy.  But this year has been full of beans.  Black beans, white beans, garbanzos, red beans, kidney beans, red large kidney-ish Mexican beans, and lentils (they're bean-like).  My favorite meal here in El Salvador, besides of course pupusas and curtido, is quite simple:  one or two eggs, sunny-side up with salt and pepper, some plain whole beans, plantains if they're available, fresh white cheese, and a toasted tortilla or two.  Knocks the socks off a sandwich or a bowl of cereal any evening.

When were you most grateful? - 1 December

I should begin by thanking Dana Cassell and Callie Surber for these navel-gazing prompts.  It's good to reflect, and I feel good when I reflect, so maybe after this month of prompts, I would like to prompt them to write an entire YEAR of prompts ... Hmm, what say ye?

I been grateful for many moments this year, but I think I have to say I am most grateful for the time I've been able to spend with the family in Alegria where I helped build a house in April.  I told them I'd come back to visit, and they didn't believe me, because that's what everyone says who comes from the North to help build homes.  Less than a month later, I kept my word, and they have been so welcoming to me, sharing what a US citizen aka person from the Global North would say is too much ... I am planning to spend Christmas with them this year, and am very excited.  I know it will be a wonderful and humbling experience.  I am grateful for you, Manuel, Sonia, Orlando, Jenny, and Austin.

**A note about these posts:  I should have started December first, so I'll date within the title the date when I should have answered ... until I finally catch up to the current prompt.  Just FYI.

derailed.

I was on a decent writing track.  And then the train was derailed.  Classes, lesson plans, meetings, rehearsals, trips, and other errands got in the way of my writing discipline.  Although I wouldn't really say it was much of a discipline in the first place; more like a way to inform all of you what I've been up to.  Of course, there's Facebook, and since most of you are connected there as well, what's the point of keeping a blog if I can post photos and little snippets of information there?  But I think blogs do have a point.  Here, I can post, perhaps, more private thoughts, that I don't want ALL nine-hundred and forty-six of my "friends" on Facebook to read on their Newsfeeds.

At any rate, I owe you, readers, yet another apology for falling behind.  I need an outlet, and I think this medium will serve me well.  I hope to get some photos up this weekend of things I've done and places I've been since August, and then I want to start a writing ritual that I've seen on a few friends' blogs.  Until next time.

always learning.

One post a month ain't bad, right?  Quick update:  Still working on residency.  Documents are in the mail or waiting for me in the post office, still need to get a criminal background check from the Salvadoran National Police, and do a few other things.  However, still on track to meet the September deadline.  

As of mid-June, I've been teaching full-time.  This means, folks, that instead of being the fun volunteer who showed up twice a month for "English Lab" and played super-cool Coldplay and Beatles songs, I am now responsible for classroom behavior, homework, grades, lesson plans, more grades, and feeling the huge weight that I must produce something ... the "product" in this case being students who are able to speak, or at least pronounce, English, and who will be well-equipped for whoever fills the even-popular English Teacher Spot next year.  And, forgive me, folks, but I am frustrated as hell.  Because I was once the fun friendly gringa who came to do exciting activities, who became a friend rather than a teacher, in this more formal role I feel I am failing.  I never once took an education class, let alone an English education class or a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages class.  I feel completely lost.  I don't have a book because the previous teacher didn't make the kids buy one (he relied on stapled packets instead) and it's too late in the year for me to ask them to buy a book.  

I don't want to be selfish, but I didn't come to El Salvador to be a teacher.  I came to help, to offer my services to others in education, other English teachers, but to be a full-fledged TEACHER of CHILDREN ... I did not sign up for that.  I know a huge part of living in Latin America is learning to be flexible, but I also believe there is a point at which one must speak up and speak out.  The old teacher came back to work with just the 10th and 11th grade students, and I still have 7th through 9th.  15 hours of class time shrank to 9, but it's still a lot.  

I feel like my skills are much more useful elsewhere.  I don't want to do a disservice to the students or the school by not knowing what the hell I'm doing, but the last few times I've brought this up in conversation, folks say Oh but you're doing a wonderful job!  It doesn't matter that you don't have the methodology or the training to be a formal teacher ... you speak English so that's a huge help!  Yes, folks, I was born speaking English.  It is my first language.  But I was not born teaching it.

When I go home in November to visit (yes, that's right, I'll be stateside for a few weeks) I am going to take an afternoon and write down some goals for the next year.  And I am going to make some conditions.  Not just for me, but for the next BVSer down the road, if and when someone decides they have an interest in Emmanuel Baptist Church.  Condition number one:  Church membership is all fine and dandy, and at first helps someone to feel part of a community, but serving on committees or constant participation in worship is a bit much.  Let's back off a little.  Condition number two:  Unless otherwise stated by the volunteer, said volunteer will help with English classes.  Said volunteer will not be expected to take on an entirely different role in which he or she has no training.  Condition number three:  I can't think of a third but I'm sure I'll come up with something.  Writing these out sounds really selfish, but there have to be boundaries.  I am finding myself "working" nearly 6 days a week, plus participation every Sunday in worship as part of the worship band ... In orientation BVS staff told us to get involved.  I think I got myself over-involved, and now feel like there's no way out without damaging relationships.  However, I feel like some time at home with my family will be a good time to deepen these reflections, and a point at which I can say "These are the things that are working really well for me, and these are the things that are not."

On the upside, I spent 2 hours today singing with some friends just for fun.  We're going to learn some songs, brush up on some we already know, and go out into the world and see if anyone wants to listen to us ... I am really excited!  We'll see what comes of it.  If we decide to name ourselves, I'll let you know ... Our repertoire, besides several songs by Guardabarranco, Mercedes Sosa, and others, include Imagine by John Lennon and three songs by Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Music really is the international language.  It was such a relaxing time.  And we're doing it again tomorrow.  

Hopefully I'll have some photos soon from things I've done over the last month or so.  For now, though, time to get some shut-eye before I have to set foot in a classroom again.

How to get Salvadoran Residency

1)  Hire a lawyer.  My friend Lauren, a former BVSer in Honduras, was told right off the bat that she should hire a lawyer to get her Honduran residency.  Had I not already been waist-deep in the process, I would have done the same.

2)  You will need several documents from the United States.  First, a criminal background check from each state you've lived in for the last 2 years.  Also, an original copy (aka a copy certified by the state, not just a photocopy) of your birth certificate.  Each of these documents must be notarized in the US, and then "authenticated" by your state's Department of State with an Apostille stamp.  Your documents must be translated by an official translator.  Use the US Embassy's website to find out who are "official" and who are not.  If you're lucky, and come to El Salvador after I finish my BVS placement, you might find me here ... as a translator ... in which case I will happily help you through the very confusing process.  Post translation, all documents and translations MUST be notarized by a Salvadoran notary.  And signed by the translator.

3)  A letter from Mr Dan McFadden himself as BVS Director saying that you are being "sent" to your placement.  It will also need to be notarized, Apostille-d, translated, and notarized again, as per the other documents.  They (Immigration) won't tell you this off the bat, so you'll probably waste 3 or 6 months thinking you have everything together ... like I did.  And then they'll tell you 3 days before (or in my case, 3 months after) you become illegal and you'll have to either high tail it out of the C4 region (Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras) before your visa expires OR pay a hefty fine of $114.29.

4)  Do not, whatever you do, assume that C4 means EU.  Or that the countries are like states in the US, where you can travel mostly freely across borders and still be under the same federal jurisdiction.  Salvadorans can travel through the C4 countries with just their national ID card, or DUI (pronounced Dewey), but you, my friend, cannot.  You must have a valid visa.  Immigration will not tell you this when you go for your first encounter with them.  And, taking your documents to the border does not mean anyone will help you out if you are illegal.  Nor will they really help you in the office in San Salvador either.  To get your new 3 month stamp WITHOUT LEAVING EL SALVADOR you have to have all your paperwork in order and TURN IT IN.  Then they'll finally smile and give you your stamp.  Hopefully.

5)  Fees:  Be prepared to shell out quite a bit for translations.  Cost is per page, generally.  Notarizations will also cost you per page, and immigration will charge you $121.43 when you turn everything in.  We're talking around $500 for a 1-year residency.  No longer can you do a 2-year deal.  If you hire a lawyer, they'll do the whole process for around $400, and then you'll still have to pay immigration.  Doing the math in terms of leaving every 3 months, let's assume you head to Mexico via Tica Bus.  16 hours round trip, about $75 for the bus ticket, plus lodging in Mexico and food along the way.  Going to run you between $100 and 125ish each time.  4 times per year, for 2 years ... at least $800 to leave and come back.  Not to mention the time you've spent going.  If you're like me, you always feel like you have a million things to do and don't really want to just leave it all to go get a stamp on your passport ... but of course, in life, there are always necessary evils.

6)  When you travel through the C4 countries, Honduras and Guatemala will want to give you 90 more days on your passport when you enter and/or exit.  You'll have to explain that you live in El Salvador, US State #52, and that you have to have a stamp from outside of C4 in order to get Guatemala's or any other C4 country's 90-day visa.  Sometimes, you will encounter nice people on the Salvadoran side of the border who want to help you out and are sorry you sort of got screwed by immigration in the city ... and then you will encounter nice employee's boss who will give you a lecture about being illegal and tell you there's no excuse for not having your paperwork turned in, regardless of whatever your reason is for not having completely fulfilled the document transmission.  You will then likely feel about the size of a pea, and decide to help others out by showing everyone immigration's hidden secrets.

7)  I've written this in a pretty cynical tone, I think, but it's all true.  And, immigration will change their rules from time to time to keep you on your toes.

8)  Make sure when you order documents from the US, the people on the other end of the line (well, if you're smart, you'll do this ahead of time and get to immigration as soon as you arrive in-country, and then get the process moving either by hiring someone or making sure the person who is designated to help you knows what they're doing ... it's good to trust people.  But maybe sometimes hold your cards a little close to you ... ) know that this is an URGENT matter and that they can't dilly-dally in their processing.  Your documents expire 3 months from the date issued, and if they're expired, you have to request new ones.  And possibly new translations.  So, stay on your toes, and make sure your project knows about all this.  If they don't, call me.  I will come help.  And if I'm back in the US, call anyway, and I'll make a trip down to visit / help you :)

9)  Just put all your cards on the table and accept one of the 12,000 offers of marriage you'll receive within the first 3 weeks of being here.  Kidding.  But it's crossed my mind.  It crossed quickly.  Certainly would make things with immigration much easier ...

10)  Breathe.  I should take my own advice.

What's so special about El Salvador?

Answer:  Archbishop Oscar Romero and Salvadoran hospitality.  In short.

Here are photos from the March 24th events surrounding the commemoration of Romero's martyrdom in 1980.

And, there are photos from the Easter Build in Alegria, as well as my little vacation there a couple weeks ago.

Early morning devotional

Colegio Bautista Emmanuel

"In the name of God, stop the violence!"

The Mediation Team helped out with the devotional as well.

Rally with youth groups from the rural communities

Fatima, one of the youth from Cuscatlan, firing up the others!

Greetings from the US of A.

Walking from the hospital chapel where Romero was martyred, to the cathedral downtown.

Making our way downtown.

Point B - the Cathedral

The procession of leaders in the ecumenical commemorative service

March 24, 2011

Afternoon worship service in the church, commemorating Oscar Romero

The woman on the left, just in front, is Romero's niece, and works tirelessly to keep his legacy alive.

Working on one of the houses in Alegria

I admit I call it "my house" because I'm good friends with the family who lives there now.

Working on "my house" ... check me out, Dad!

My house.

Canadians, me, and Manuel, one of the owners and a very good friend

Coffee plants in bloom

Crepes with strawberries and ice cream

And the BEST Americano ever.  Sorry, K'mo ... 

Good Friday meant "alfombras" or sand pictures on the streets to celebrate Easter

Vacation started with an apple pie.  I even achieved the cavernous effect ... the apples cooked down but the crust stayed put ... Only the second time ever in my life that an apple pie has turned out as such.  I count it as an achievement because Grandma's pies are often that way as well.  I used Gala apples, a little sugar, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon.  It was a huge hit.

Next mural at KenapocoMocha?

Hangin' out with the neighborhood kids / cousins of my friends in "my house"

View from where I stayed

Spent an afternoon at Cartagena, a restaurant / coffee shop where my friends work.  Good fun.

Orlando making my Americano

Spent 3 days in Alegria ... didn't want to come back to the city ... 

And we got a flat.  Fate?  Maybe, but we were eventually on our way.

Not much has happened since my vacation.  Moved into an apartment 2 blocks from the church.  Very nice to have my own space, do my own cooking, etc.  New Community Project has a group coming in July, so I've been busy with planning their itinerary and such.  Tomorrow I'm heading to Alegria to do some negotiating and such (it sounds so much better in Spanish - "cotizar"), see where the NCP folks can stay, who will provide food, meet with the folks they'd like to speak with, etc.  Should be a nice day.  Two girlfriends are coming from the US in a couple weeks.  Very much looking forward to their visit!  Until I have more photos ...