Tranquila en El Salvador

El Remar

While in El Tunco a housemate, Kevin, introduced me to the most amazing children and teenagers of Remar Orphanage and School before he returned to the States. We walked the half of mile down the main road when the power went out. We got to the large gate of Remar and one of the young boys let us in. “Kevin! Kevin!” Is all we heard – the kids absolutely adoring his visits. I met the kids with flashlights. Although they could hardly see me I was greeted with lots of hugs and questions of who I was and how long I plan to stay.

They are some of the happiest and emotionally resilient kids I’ve ever had the opportunity to meet. I watched one little girl, no more than 4 years old, accidentally get hit on the head. She covered her face to stop the tears; I quickly picked her up to comfort her and wondered if she would cry. She never did. I witnessed teenage moms take care of their babies and the rest of the little ones - helping them take showers and get dressed. All-the-while the young mothers appeared with looks of acceptance of what their life was at the present. I saw true friendship, love and support as the kids watched out for each other. I noticed the older girls taking charge in making sure the younger ones did their chores and homework. I watched as the young boys made sure rules were followed by the rest of the young crew. Most of all, I saw nothing but  smiles of joy and heard nothing but laughter from these precious children.

I visited the 75 or so kids of Remar 3 or 4 times while I was staying in El Tunco, each time more special than the first. I played games with the older girls and usually had a baby on my hip. I think I gained more from my time at Remar than the kids did with my presence. So, I want to return to them one day because there was something exceptionally grand about the feeling I got being with them. I am always welcome to come and teach English voluntarily...something I did not have enough time for this time around. 

Did you know?

Did you know that the playas of El Salvador has some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met (minus the bus attendants who like to ignore travelers)? And from my personal account, did you know that the beaches of El Salvador are extremely safe? It was no problem for me to walk alone there at night - the locals actually looking out for me even without my knowledge. To my surprise, the local surfers (many of whom are professional) encourage the tourists and travelers to catch a wave, something that can be unheard of in most surf paradises. They are always willing to lend surf tips on the amazing breaks of Sunzal just north of their home in El Tunco. 

Of course, the locals’ attraction to women with blond hair, light eyes and red/tanned/freckled skin is likely a factor for their attention as flirtation runs high and relationships blossom frequently between locals and travelers there. Some female travelers decide to extend their trips in El Tunco to be with their new lovers. You can’t help but become good friends with the local guys as they are so friendly. It's not just the surfer guys that are friendly; the local restaurants and stores are run by local families and they too are very helpful to travelers. 

BTW, El Tunco is the kind of place where people come to surf but never leave. I met a man from Argentina who lives there half of the year during the off season when his surf shop is closed back home. I met a girl from Finland who decided to move there. I met people who keep coming back for the friendly atmosphere and the surf breaks. It's the kind of place you start comparing to every other beache you travel to afterwards..."oh this is nice, but it's not El Tunco".

Not to mention the pupusas (tortillas with cheese and beans inside) are awesome for a snack, I got greeted with that small town feel with lots of Buenas in passing with others and I also found a hidden secret of a hostel there for cheap with an ocean view. The name I will not give so it remains just that - a secret. You can definitely tell who is from El Tunco versus other parts of El Salvador, outsiders don't carry that friendliness with them like the locals do. I felt more like a local by the end of the trip (a new experience for me) as I made so many new friends and knew the town well...I made a daily routine with surf, swim, one local restaurant for lunch, El Remar in the afternoon, hammock/nap time, and always time for friends.

"Esta es la vida!"

Of course, with the secret slowly coming out to the rest of the world that El Salvador (with its exceptionally bad reputation for high murder rates and gang violence) is actually a beautiful travel and surf destination, I am sad to say that the beaches are being built up with resorts, hostels, souvenir shops and more restaurants. I wish I could hold on to the secret and never let it go because it's a unique place. I know in the next 10 years the small beach front town I've come to love will not be the same El Tunco due to the amount of construction I witnessed during my stay there. But regardless, the people won’t change…they will forever remain friendly and helpful to all who come visit their home as long as they are respectful in return.

The only downfall is the prices. Since the country started using the American dollar the prices have gone up for the cost of living (Salvadorians are not very happy with their governments decision on this). There is almost an Americanized feeling to the place. Regardless, I would like to see more of El Salvador in the near future and decide if it’s the right place for me to find work. 

“La Playa” Spanish Lesson

Buena ola (good wave)

Tabla (surfboard)

Marea alta y mareo baja (high tide and low tide)

Cuidado (to be careful)

Corriente fuerte (strong current)

Peligroso (dangerous)

Puesta del sol (sunset)

Salida del sol (sunrise)

Arena negro (black sand)

Tranquilo (“chill out” / “take it easy” / tranquil)

Donate to Educate

Thanks to some friendly donations we’ve raised enough money to buy an additional chalkboard for K’amawanik Escuela in Momostenango, Guatemala. These children and their teachers are so important to me so I am happy to supply their school with their basic educational needs (and use a bit more funding to do so). I want to thank the recent donors for their contributions: Susan and Pablo, Susan B, Steve and Helen, and last but not least, Cristen! Thank you so much!!!

Backpacking Travel Tip

*Always barter with taxis...drivers like to rip tourists off so always find out what the standard fare is for wherever you are visiting.

*Never let a bus operator say they are charging you extra to help you place your bags in storage or on top of the bus. This is a swindle.  

*Try to find hostels where a purified water dispenser and lavadora are located so you can have clean water and hand-wash your clothes. It will save you from buying plastic bottled water (which is terrible for the environment) and save you money on laundromat services.

Travel Update

I am running a bit behind on updating my blog. Soon I will highlight some of the memorable moments that I’ve had in Nicaragua thus far. I start volunteering with La Mariposa and living with my new host family today. I may even take some formal Spanish lessons while I am there.

Quote

I had to learn for myself that El Salvador is actually a beautiful and safe place where I would like to find work. If you read my first post you would see that I originally planned to bypass the country…so glad I didn’t!

“Never judge a country or its character by what the media fears. Explore the country yourself to find positive truths.” SP

On the Growth Edge

6/1/13

"I got hit by a tuk-tuk (taxi-like automobile) on my rented bike today. I knew it was a bad idea when I tried to make my way up the hills on the cobbled and bumpy road. I thought I was clearing from the drivers’ path as I slowly went downhill.  Then the tuk-tuk took a slight turn in my direction. It happened very fast – my left arm slamming into the side of the moving vehicle. I immediately went down on my left side – BAMN! The locals came to my side, the driver repeating “lo siento” and explaining in Spanish that he did not see me. He took my left arm and tried to pull me up from off the ground. Aching in pain, I quietly said “no – leave me”. Another man and the driver slowly lifted and pulled me to the sidewalk and a teenage boy moved my bike from the path of traffic. The tears came  (my natural reaction in any painful situation). Luckily, just a scrape on my left forearm, muscle aches and small bruises remain."

                                                               ****************

I enjoyed the beautiful lake views and the coffee in the towns around Lago de Atitlan. I did not particularly enjoy the party life as much...

It is still a cool place to see if you are visiting Guatemala.  

Enjoy the view. 

San Marcos ahead

San Pedro

Travel Tip

You are coming into contact with so many people, new environments and foods - so your immune system is already running on low. Eat as healthy as you can while you travel because it will help you avoid sickness. You can buy vegetables and fruit for very cheap in local markets and make your meals at your hostel. You will save money and eat more nutritious food than you will find at street vendors and in restaurants. Also, drink lots of non-sugary jugos (juices) for your daily vitamins. Your kept energy will not be wasted.

Antigua

Personal growth

I am now away from university academia and professional counseling. Time has dissipated my anxiety for finding work in the counseling field and being on this path of excellence – doing what is “expected” of me in the workforce. I felt this pressure back home to continue toward my licensure requirements. I know in my heart that I still have so much to learn about life and don't to burnout of the field just yet. As long as I continue to grow, educate myself and help others then I am doing the things that make me happy. And to my surprise, I still find that I am using my Masters.

I find interest in teaching and writing in addition to counseling families, children and the mentally ill. With my education in psychology/ counseling and time working/interning/volunteering in my field, this experience abroad is additionally developing my future, professionally and academically.

With this time, I’m learning there are many identities I can explore (with more education, training and licensure, respectively).

·         teach at a university,

·         teach English to non-native speakers,

·         do research in the counseling field and write articles for academic journals,

·         I can write travel blogs/books,

·         counsel abroad (government/privately),

·         volunteer as a crisis counselor at home and abroad (Red Cross),

·         counsel children and families in crisis (NGO agency),

·         open a private practice and/or be a consultant for schools/NGOs,

·         volunteer at shelters, after-school education programs and other important causes,

·         adopt underprivileged children who need love, support and guidance from a good parent,

·         be a host-parent to students from all over the world.

Quote to LIVE by

“Truly experienced counselors are those who live what they teach to others. They walk their talk and practice in their own lives that which they consider to be most important for their clients. As such, they are continually living on the growth edge, always looking for ways to become more effective as a professional and as a person. Such individuals would never consider themselves ‘arrived’ but rather see their own development and mastery as an ongoing process that will never end…”

 Jeffrey Kottler, PhD; “The Recipe of Truly Great Counseling”, in Counseling Today Dec. 2012. 

Travel Update
I've arrived to El Salvador and can't believe my eyes!