Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Yemi is at her new site!
Who would have thought moving 20 minutes down the road would bring so many differences? I moved to my new site over a week ago. Last Saturday I met with my counterpart in San Salvador. It was a weird feeling traveling back from San Salvador to San Vicente (where I spent my training) knowing that all of my other friends are traveling to all sides of the country, hours and hours away (some even taking a few days to do the trip) It was more strange taking the same pick up truck as I would with my training group. A strange feeling being on it without them, but with a stranger. An even stranger feeling when I didn’t get off in Apastepeque, but venturing on for another 30 minutes to my new home.
I have been in this country for over 2 months and have not seen a more incredible sight then I have seen from the top of Calderitas. (the views of the volcano, the views of the many communities below, the fields, the animals, the palm trees, the lakes, etc.) gorgeous. I’m excited to call this new, unknown place, my home. I was anxiously greeted by my four sisters (Allison- 2, Maria Fernanda-5, Darlin-11, and Karen,13) who grabbed my bags without hesitation and led me to my new house. I instantly fell in love with them and I think the feelings are mutually. I live with them, and their parents (Arnulfo-35, and Rubia-30) It’s been about 2 weeks now, and they are still fascinated by literally every move I make. From the moment I open my eyes at 530 AM every morning, to the moment I fall asleep, they are curious about all my behaviors and items (What is this Jamie, What are you doing now? lets play cards, etc.) Literally no ALONE time… I have never been so excited to come to the training center here, just to know I would be alone! They are such a loving and caring family, and I know I am very lucky to be in their house. However, alone time is important to every human spirit. The next day we took an hour long hike to a lake. I thought we were going to go fishing, but when we left the house without any poles, bait, etc. I felt failure yet again from my lack of understanding Spanish. Well, duh, silly me, I’m in El Salvador! Who needs poles when you have sticks. Who needs bait, when you have hands to dig through mud with to find earthworms. Between my dad and my one sister, they caught about 10 fish, and me – nada! Agh I have so much to learn. I must have fallen about 8 times throughout the hike – When did I become so clumsy? We left with all the fish swimming in a plastic bottle (thinking to myself, we are probably going to eat them later) – Nope they put them in the pilla water!! Duh, silly me, once again.
Not knowing the language has made me the most “go with the flow” kind of person. Expect the unexpected. Embrace each moment. Enjoy the ride. Even if the trip takes you to someone’s house where the next thing you know you are sitting in a circle with a candle lit in the middle, praying, singing, on your knees, arms outstretched praying to God. If that isn’t awkward then I’m not sure what is. “Just go with it, Jamie” I keep telling myself. These people just love you for being there and for trying. I was glad though when Rubia told me I didn’t have to do that if I felt uncomfortable. Glad she sensed my emotions. Developing confianza, is what it’s all about for me right now. I’m not religious, but as far as everyone in my community is concerned, yes I am catholic.
Some differences between my new site and Apastepeque:
- people eat with their hands
- noone says bye when they leave
- my family showers in the open
- people are more friendly (especially the ladies – I love seeing their face light up when they see me) people always have time to sit and talk to you – even if they don’t actually have time and they can barely understand you
- everyone just throws everything on the ground – they literally mop every 10 minutes.
- latrines! (with the curtain serving no purpose) not to mention, I have yet to see anyone use it. They usually just squat along the side of the house. I’m not even sure I’ve ever seen them use toilet paper.
Some lessons I learned this week:
- You have to learn to laugh at yourself
- Tomorrow is a new day
- It isn't until you have little resources, until you can really discover how big your imagination really is
- Living like this, you find the simplest things to be utterly exciting (like climbing a tree, walking through a cornfield, or watching a TV with color that you can actually see some picture and not all lines)
- If you can’t beat them join them (I say this in regards to my sisters) From day one, they have been so fascinated by all of my things. For awhile I was getting annoyed that they just wouldn’t leave my things alone. Until it hit me. I’m selfish. These kids don’t have “stuff”. So when someone has things, they are going to want to try them. So I became okay with letting them borrow my phone so they can play games on it, it usually keeps them busy for hours. Or by giving them my markers and paper, they can usually sit and draw for hours. (its always pictures they make for me anyways) Or just by allowing them to look at my pictures all the time. They just can’t get enough of the pictures of the dogs from home (my parents dog, my brothers dog, my neighbors dog) – Probably because they actually look like normal dogs. Or all of my clothing and sunglasses, they usually enjoy a good game of lets dress like Jamie. It's funny though, ever since I have become okay with giving them my things to play with, I feel less annoyed. It makes them happy. That makes me happy. It really is the least I could do for them, since they all love to take care of me. I think they all love having the role of big sister to me.
How I know I live with such a great family:
-The dad pulls out a huge white board from God knows where (in this small house) and begins teaching me Spanish
- They are constantly listening to some of the best music from the 80s. (Aha – take on me, Toto- Africa)
- Their random/goofy acts. For example, the other day they bring 2 street dogs home from the nearest pueblo. As if they don’t have enough animals. Owell, I’m not complaining. Another animal to eat my food.
- I have a bigger room in the house, then the one other room all 6 of them sleep in. I feel alittle weird about this, though.
I have been in this country for over 2 months and have not seen a more incredible sight then I have seen from the top of Calderitas. (the views of the volcano, the views of the many communities below, the fields, the animals, the palm trees, the lakes, etc.) gorgeous. I’m excited to call this new, unknown place, my home. I was anxiously greeted by my four sisters (Allison- 2, Maria Fernanda-5, Darlin-11, and Karen,13) who grabbed my bags without hesitation and led me to my new house. I instantly fell in love with them and I think the feelings are mutually. I live with them, and their parents (Arnulfo-35, and Rubia-30) It’s been about 2 weeks now, and they are still fascinated by literally every move I make. From the moment I open my eyes at 530 AM every morning, to the moment I fall asleep, they are curious about all my behaviors and items (What is this Jamie, What are you doing now? lets play cards, etc.) Literally no ALONE time… I have never been so excited to come to the training center here, just to know I would be alone! They are such a loving and caring family, and I know I am very lucky to be in their house. However, alone time is important to every human spirit. The next day we took an hour long hike to a lake. I thought we were going to go fishing, but when we left the house without any poles, bait, etc. I felt failure yet again from my lack of understanding Spanish. Well, duh, silly me, I’m in El Salvador! Who needs poles when you have sticks. Who needs bait, when you have hands to dig through mud with to find earthworms. Between my dad and my one sister, they caught about 10 fish, and me – nada! Agh I have so much to learn. I must have fallen about 8 times throughout the hike – When did I become so clumsy? We left with all the fish swimming in a plastic bottle (thinking to myself, we are probably going to eat them later) – Nope they put them in the pilla water!! Duh, silly me, once again.
Not knowing the language has made me the most “go with the flow” kind of person. Expect the unexpected. Embrace each moment. Enjoy the ride. Even if the trip takes you to someone’s house where the next thing you know you are sitting in a circle with a candle lit in the middle, praying, singing, on your knees, arms outstretched praying to God. If that isn’t awkward then I’m not sure what is. “Just go with it, Jamie” I keep telling myself. These people just love you for being there and for trying. I was glad though when Rubia told me I didn’t have to do that if I felt uncomfortable. Glad she sensed my emotions. Developing confianza, is what it’s all about for me right now. I’m not religious, but as far as everyone in my community is concerned, yes I am catholic.
Some differences between my new site and Apastepeque:
- people eat with their hands
- noone says bye when they leave
- my family showers in the open
- people are more friendly (especially the ladies – I love seeing their face light up when they see me) people always have time to sit and talk to you – even if they don’t actually have time and they can barely understand you
- everyone just throws everything on the ground – they literally mop every 10 minutes.
- latrines! (with the curtain serving no purpose) not to mention, I have yet to see anyone use it. They usually just squat along the side of the house. I’m not even sure I’ve ever seen them use toilet paper.
Some lessons I learned this week:
- You have to learn to laugh at yourself
- Tomorrow is a new day
- It isn't until you have little resources, until you can really discover how big your imagination really is
- Living like this, you find the simplest things to be utterly exciting (like climbing a tree, walking through a cornfield, or watching a TV with color that you can actually see some picture and not all lines)
- If you can’t beat them join them (I say this in regards to my sisters) From day one, they have been so fascinated by all of my things. For awhile I was getting annoyed that they just wouldn’t leave my things alone. Until it hit me. I’m selfish. These kids don’t have “stuff”. So when someone has things, they are going to want to try them. So I became okay with letting them borrow my phone so they can play games on it, it usually keeps them busy for hours. Or by giving them my markers and paper, they can usually sit and draw for hours. (its always pictures they make for me anyways) Or just by allowing them to look at my pictures all the time. They just can’t get enough of the pictures of the dogs from home (my parents dog, my brothers dog, my neighbors dog) – Probably because they actually look like normal dogs. Or all of my clothing and sunglasses, they usually enjoy a good game of lets dress like Jamie. It's funny though, ever since I have become okay with giving them my things to play with, I feel less annoyed. It makes them happy. That makes me happy. It really is the least I could do for them, since they all love to take care of me. I think they all love having the role of big sister to me.
How I know I live with such a great family:
-The dad pulls out a huge white board from God knows where (in this small house) and begins teaching me Spanish
- They are constantly listening to some of the best music from the 80s. (Aha – take on me, Toto- Africa)
- Their random/goofy acts. For example, the other day they bring 2 street dogs home from the nearest pueblo. As if they don’t have enough animals. Owell, I’m not complaining. Another animal to eat my food.
- I have a bigger room in the house, then the one other room all 6 of them sleep in. I feel alittle weird about this, though.
Friday, September 10, 2010
¡Por fin!
Finally, Site assignment day has arrived!!! This is the biggest day of our training, claro,that we have long been waiting for. Well, for me, I actually found out my placement 3 days ago (because my new family knows a volunteers family in my group) He told me he knew where I was going, and as much as I wanted to wait, and be part of the excitement everyone feels on this day, I also knew I couldn't go 3 more days knowing that someone knew the next 2 years of my life. Today was still much anticipated because I would find out who the one other person would be in my department, and exactly how far I would be from my closest friends here.
So anyways, here it is, my site (which means nothing to you):
Calderitas, San Idelfonso San Esteban Caterina, San Vicente
(which is a whooping 15 minutes away from where I live now!) It is a little bit of a bummer to be in a place where you spent the last 2 months training, and everyone loves a new and exciting place. But you know, my new community will be new and exciting! I keep hearing how beautiful it is - how it overlooks a beautiful lake, and sits on top of a mountain/or hill (not exactly sure) Nonetheless, the more I think about it, the more excited and fortunate I am to live here. I know the surrounding area already and love it. I will still be close to all the great people I have met here; our families, the volunteers in this area that I met, and my spanish teacher! I'll always have someone close by. The best part of it all is, the ONE person that ended up in my department is my best friend here, Amy. Wohoo!
Also, a few other of my best friends here are literally on opposite ends of the country (with me being in the middle) so i will get to see the country eventually!
So the information I do know thus far about my site:
Population: 748 people, now 749 with the gringa coming to town!
Houses: 186
One school: 280 students
The school principal is interested in having me work with life skills and after school activities. I will be living with the health promoter, his wife, and their 4 daughters (ranging from 4-17 years) It will be fun to have 4 sisters! Looks like i won't be having a problem after all to find someone to paint my nails funky colors and designs. It will also be great to live with the health promoter since I'm sure he knows just about everyone.
One last thing, Just in case you are wondering why I am not in El Salvador in a week: (I hope this is not the case!!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11253408
So anyways, here it is, my site (which means nothing to you):
Calderitas, San Idelfonso San Esteban Caterina, San Vicente
(which is a whooping 15 minutes away from where I live now!) It is a little bit of a bummer to be in a place where you spent the last 2 months training, and everyone loves a new and exciting place. But you know, my new community will be new and exciting! I keep hearing how beautiful it is - how it overlooks a beautiful lake, and sits on top of a mountain/or hill (not exactly sure) Nonetheless, the more I think about it, the more excited and fortunate I am to live here. I know the surrounding area already and love it. I will still be close to all the great people I have met here; our families, the volunteers in this area that I met, and my spanish teacher! I'll always have someone close by. The best part of it all is, the ONE person that ended up in my department is my best friend here, Amy. Wohoo!
Also, a few other of my best friends here are literally on opposite ends of the country (with me being in the middle) so i will get to see the country eventually!
So the information I do know thus far about my site:
Population: 748 people, now 749 with the gringa coming to town!
Houses: 186
One school: 280 students
The school principal is interested in having me work with life skills and after school activities. I will be living with the health promoter, his wife, and their 4 daughters (ranging from 4-17 years) It will be fun to have 4 sisters! Looks like i won't be having a problem after all to find someone to paint my nails funky colors and designs. It will also be great to live with the health promoter since I'm sure he knows just about everyone.
One last thing, Just in case you are wondering why I am not in El Salvador in a week: (I hope this is not the case!!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11253408
Random Photos..
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Puchica
As the days (just over a week left here..) are coming to an end in my vacation home here in Apastepeque, I've been doing alot of thinking about my new community, and where I will spending the next 2 years of my life:
will they understand me?
will they accept me?
will i make friends?
will i like my family?
will i have a bed?
Will I have water?
Will I have to pee in a latrine?
Will there be a million roosters?
How far away will I actually be from other volunteers? (It could be minutes, it could be hours)
What work will I be doing?
Will I have a sister who can paint my nails?
How nuts will I actually go? (They say your first 3 months in site are your hardest as a volunteer)
Will I have someone to play endless amounts of UNO with?
I had a dream I gained 35 lbs. I'm beginning to think that may not be far from the truth, or at least something that is possible for the future. Everyone says how much weight they gain when they first get to site. Doing house visits are a very big thing for our first few months in the community. House visits are more then just a "Hola, Mi nombre es Jamie, mucho gusto" I can anticipate about 8 cups of coffee in a day and 5 or 6 dinners. Whatever it takes to build that "confianza" (trust)
I have been kind of sad these last few days. I will miss Apastepeque deeply. And so here it is, my reflections on that:
-I could not have asked for a better group (Anna, David, Esther, and Katherine- I love you all). Our motto is "We get there when we get there" I never thought I would meet people as tranquillo and slow moving as myself. You guys are incredible; Endless games of rummy and bullshit. Being consistently late to training every Tuesday, family fiestas, drinking with grandma, going to sarita (the ice cream shop) every day. I wish you all luck as you go to your new sites. Stay strong. Break out of your comfort zone. And don't forget about our Apastepeque reunions!
- My spanish teacher Vicky, what an incredible person. I didn't understand one damn word from that ladies mouth the first time we talked (or when she talked, and I "listened"). But we were able to develop a great relationship with each other despite the language barrier. I owe most of my success I had here thus far to her. I can now officially say I understand 65 percent of what she says.
- My family. I'm fortunate to not have any problems with my family, like some people here. They know how to treat me well, and they always seem to know what I'm concerned about (which is great for the language barrier) I never had to worry about finding the polite way to say "wash my clothes", "make me food", "change my bedsheets", and so on. They always just know what I need, which is great, because the last thing I want, is to come across as disrespectful to such wonderful people.
- The 7 month old baby, Jose, in my house. I'm pretty sure his first word was "hi" - It may have been learned from me, or Dora the Explorer. That I'm not sure, but I sure know I'm gonna miss that kid and the huge smiles he would give every time he saw me. I wish I had that effect on more guys.
- The 80 year old grandmother who lives next door to me. She could drink anyone I ever met and ever will meet under the table. This lady can drink any vodka straight up, no big deal, and will let you know how much of a wimp you are for splitting the juice/vodka 50/50. She solves that issue by pouring more vodka into my drink when I'm not looking.
How I know my spanish is getting alittle bit better:
- when i listen to people speak its more then just sounds, its actually words.
- people actually have the correct response to my answer. Not, "I don't speak english" (Even though I was speaking in spanish...)
- I don't go to bed at night with a headache
- I can sit in a room full of El Salvadorians and not feel really, really awkward (now I just feel awkward)
- People are actually laughing at a joke I told, not because of how ridiculous I sound (well I like to believe this one)
- I'm beginning to realize more that we really are the same, just people of different languages.
So we had a big community project this morning with the youth. We ended up hiking up this mountain in the mud and pouring rain. At the top we did some charlas to the group (regarding leadership, life plans, self esteem) and did many dynamicas (the word they use for icebreakers) It turned out to be a lovely day. The sun came out and we were able to enjoy some lovely views overlooking the volcano and the city of San Vicente.
Just some other thoughts:
- So does anyone know when Phish is gonna come tour in El Salvador?
- Getting attacked by a rooster sucks
- I feel as my spanish is getting better, my english is getting worse (So let me apologize in advance if my blogs are becoming less intriguing, and are beginning to show more grammatical errors)
-It's crazy that here, the poorer you are, the more generous you are
- Why are there ALWAYS fireworks going off? (Are there really people up at 5:00 am watching those things?)
- Is it possible to meet anyone nicer then some of the El Salvadorians I have met here?
- How on earth do you roll your R's?
will they understand me?
will they accept me?
will i make friends?
will i like my family?
will i have a bed?
Will I have water?
Will I have to pee in a latrine?
Will there be a million roosters?
How far away will I actually be from other volunteers? (It could be minutes, it could be hours)
What work will I be doing?
Will I have a sister who can paint my nails?
How nuts will I actually go? (They say your first 3 months in site are your hardest as a volunteer)
Will I have someone to play endless amounts of UNO with?
I had a dream I gained 35 lbs. I'm beginning to think that may not be far from the truth, or at least something that is possible for the future. Everyone says how much weight they gain when they first get to site. Doing house visits are a very big thing for our first few months in the community. House visits are more then just a "Hola, Mi nombre es Jamie, mucho gusto" I can anticipate about 8 cups of coffee in a day and 5 or 6 dinners. Whatever it takes to build that "confianza" (trust)
I have been kind of sad these last few days. I will miss Apastepeque deeply. And so here it is, my reflections on that:
-I could not have asked for a better group (Anna, David, Esther, and Katherine- I love you all). Our motto is "We get there when we get there" I never thought I would meet people as tranquillo and slow moving as myself. You guys are incredible; Endless games of rummy and bullshit. Being consistently late to training every Tuesday, family fiestas, drinking with grandma, going to sarita (the ice cream shop) every day. I wish you all luck as you go to your new sites. Stay strong. Break out of your comfort zone. And don't forget about our Apastepeque reunions!
- My spanish teacher Vicky, what an incredible person. I didn't understand one damn word from that ladies mouth the first time we talked (or when she talked, and I "listened"). But we were able to develop a great relationship with each other despite the language barrier. I owe most of my success I had here thus far to her. I can now officially say I understand 65 percent of what she says.
- My family. I'm fortunate to not have any problems with my family, like some people here. They know how to treat me well, and they always seem to know what I'm concerned about (which is great for the language barrier) I never had to worry about finding the polite way to say "wash my clothes", "make me food", "change my bedsheets", and so on. They always just know what I need, which is great, because the last thing I want, is to come across as disrespectful to such wonderful people.
- The 7 month old baby, Jose, in my house. I'm pretty sure his first word was "hi" - It may have been learned from me, or Dora the Explorer. That I'm not sure, but I sure know I'm gonna miss that kid and the huge smiles he would give every time he saw me. I wish I had that effect on more guys.
- The 80 year old grandmother who lives next door to me. She could drink anyone I ever met and ever will meet under the table. This lady can drink any vodka straight up, no big deal, and will let you know how much of a wimp you are for splitting the juice/vodka 50/50. She solves that issue by pouring more vodka into my drink when I'm not looking.
How I know my spanish is getting alittle bit better:
- when i listen to people speak its more then just sounds, its actually words.
- people actually have the correct response to my answer. Not, "I don't speak english" (Even though I was speaking in spanish...)
- I don't go to bed at night with a headache
- I can sit in a room full of El Salvadorians and not feel really, really awkward (now I just feel awkward)
- People are actually laughing at a joke I told, not because of how ridiculous I sound (well I like to believe this one)
- I'm beginning to realize more that we really are the same, just people of different languages.
So we had a big community project this morning with the youth. We ended up hiking up this mountain in the mud and pouring rain. At the top we did some charlas to the group (regarding leadership, life plans, self esteem) and did many dynamicas (the word they use for icebreakers) It turned out to be a lovely day. The sun came out and we were able to enjoy some lovely views overlooking the volcano and the city of San Vicente.
Just some other thoughts:
- So does anyone know when Phish is gonna come tour in El Salvador?
- Getting attacked by a rooster sucks
- I feel as my spanish is getting better, my english is getting worse (So let me apologize in advance if my blogs are becoming less intriguing, and are beginning to show more grammatical errors)
-It's crazy that here, the poorer you are, the more generous you are
- Why are there ALWAYS fireworks going off? (Are there really people up at 5:00 am watching those things?)
- Is it possible to meet anyone nicer then some of the El Salvadorians I have met here?
- How on earth do you roll your R's?
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