On Saturday we had a soccer tournament with the scholarship students from our sister program. We played 20 minute games of 4 v 4. The concrete field was smashed between a giant building and two neighborhoods. My team made it to the championship game after playing two games and boy were we exhausted. The sun was beating down with no relief while we played. But in the championship game no one scored after twenty minutes of play so we ended in a shoot-out. Luckily the other team missed two shots so we won the tournament. We were presented with metals and dubbed champions. It was great to feel my competitive nature come back and play some intense soccer. We have another tournament this weekend but at the University and against other teams.
Saturday evening we had a celebration for a student who graduated last month. I stayed with her family during campo week and they all came to the party for her. It was so wonderful to see them again and catch up. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed my time with their family until I saw them again. The party was fantastic with affirmations for Susi, the graduate, eating and of course dancing.
After the party some scholarship students and I went to the plaza because there was a music festival going on. They had set up three stages and the streets were filled with people. We had a great time dancing and just hanging out. One of the bands played music but also had a dialogue in between songs. The women were dressed in skin tight clothing and many comments were made regarding their bodies. There was also a black man who was constantly made fun of and many racial slurs were said while he was on stage. It seemed quite striking after spending so much time talking about justice and equality. But it was a good time and it was great to let loose after so many weeks of stress.
On Sunday we visited the home of Rigo (a student who lives in my house). He lives in a beautiful, mountainous area of El Salvador. We rode in pickups through the winding roads of the mountains with breathtaking views around ever curve. Rigo has 3 brothers who all look identical but at different stages of their lives. I have never seen a family look so much like one another.
After spending a little more time in his home we all went to a coffee processing plant where Rigo and his brothers have worked. We have learned quite a bit about picking coffee but never about the process after. It was incredible to see how much work goes into processing coffee. There are so many intricate steps that make a cup of coffee so much more valuable than I would have thought. We were able to walk all over the plant and do and see things that would never be permitted in the United States. For example we climbed up and had to step over a moving blade. We were just able to see so much of the process and just understand what happens after the beans get pick. It was truly an amazing experience.
It was great to have a weekend of fun as the last few weeks have been quite stressful. Unfortunately with so much going on, I have become quite exhausted. I am far behind on my homework and my sleep and it is hard to catch up with so much going on. But I know things will slow down again and I will figure out how to get caught up in both.
I wanted to write a post to express and remind myself of the joy and happiness I am experiencing here. It is easy to get caught up in the sad and hard things. But I will give an update on Las Delicias soon. They are doing pretty well but please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as there is still more work to be done.
Thank you for reading! I appreciate all the support everyone has given me during these few months I have spend here.
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