After my last post and all its pictures, I think I'm going to write with more of a photo-journalism approach. That is to say, I'm going to post photos and write long-ish captions. ... At least while I'm trying to catch up over the last month and a half ...
Christmas! We had a really great Christmas Eve service at the church, complete with a Nativity drama. The catch, though, with the drama was that it was the Nativity story, but based on the context of migrant journeys from El Salvador to the United States. The youth did a fantastic job. I helped with technical things, set design and painting, and was the token Gringa at the border who shouted and yelled in English at the migrants. The service ended with Silent Night and candle lighting. Just like Church of the Brethren services I've attended. I felt very much at home, but also very far away.
After the service, I spent the rest of the evening, which is the traditional time to celebrate with family and friends, with Pastor Miguel and his family, and their extended family. It was a nice time, but folks kind of kept to their family circle, and not many conversed with me. I left around 11:30 and went home, expecting to find another celebration at home ... but alas, they were still at Claudia's brother's house. So I did some writing in my journal about Christmas traditions and listened to music until they came home around 1 am. And then we all went to bed. So, Christmas was a little boring. I resolved to have a better New Year's celebration ... and I did! But before New Year's, on December 28, which is "April Fool's Day" here, I went to Antiguo Cuzcatlan for the town festival ... where they run around in the streets with balsa-wood frames of bulls that have FIREWORKS attached. And they shoot the firecrackers INTO THE CROWD. And everyone ducks and tries not to get burned. Oh, and the crazy people, mostly teenage boys and drunk people, run around in the street WITH THE BULL, charging at it. And then, if you get burned, everyone yells "Culero, culero!!" which means, well, I'm not going to say it outright, but a worse term for homosexual or gay. Cultural homophobia aside, it was a fun time. Luckily, I didn't get burned.
Nativity play rehearsal
Another scene from rehearsal ... except someone forgot to strike the candle and little table. Oops!
Our esteemed director, Daniel.
Christmas Eve spread, complete with turkey in the roaster!
Christmas gifts
I spent New Year's with my host family. We had a service at the church to celebrate the end of the year and ask for blessings for 2011, and then returned home for dinner. Afterwards, we went over to Claudia's brother's home to watch the fireworks (Did I mention they set off fireworks here for Christmas and New Year's? I don't think I did ... Anyway, it was really fun), and once the fireworks were over, around 12:30 or 1, we walked up the hill a bit more to a neighbor's home to DANCE! They converted their garage-like room into a dance floor, with lights and a stereo, and I danced merengue, bachata, and salsa. Great fun! And a very cool way to ring in 2011. But alas, I didn't take photos. Sorry!
January 2 was a very exciting day. My sister, Heather, came to visit for 6 days!! To summarize the week, we basked in the sun, did a little shopping, basked in the sun a bit more ... with beverages, went dancing, hung out with some of my friends, and ate pupusas. And didn't get much sleep. And were bitten by mosquitoes. Overall, though, it was a really great week. I had a great time showing her around, which indirectly made San Salvador and San Jacinto feel like home. I think that was when I made the switch from tourist to citizen (well, not in the legal sense). Looking forward to welcoming more visitors! Hint, hint ...
First day in El Salvador
Los Planes for pupusas!
After Heather left, I jumped right into work. And haven't really jumped out of the depths of work yet ... Josue and I began the actual implementation part of our peace education program in the school, starting with a 2-day workshop as part of the teachers' in-service days. Classes began the following week in the school, I started working with the new English teacher, Josue and I led 2 more workshops with the high school age students, and Cal Pipil opened back up after 2 weeks of planning time on the 29th. And somehow it's now February.
A week or so ago our praise band group, 3:16, was asked to provide music leadership for a worship service near the center of San Salvador for January 31. Cool. I found out yesterday morning that this was to be a service of blessing for the incoming President of the Salvadoran Legislature ... WHAT?! Yep, high-profile thing and didn't really realize it until the morning of. Ahh, language barriers. So it was like singing for the Speaker of the House. I wasn't entirely in agreement with the service, but it was at least ecumenical and a great honor to be asked to participate.
Discussing song choices
Singing ... duh.
I bought that dress over the weekend. Already wore it twice. An excellent investment.
Members and friends of Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel with Sigfrido Reyes, new President of the Salvadoran Legislature (Guy in suit and blue tie)
