Empanadas, pick ups and a bit of Spanish

Well I sat down to begin writing this post and the evangelical neighbors began their culto (meeting) that includes loud singing and yelling. The walls are thin and the houses are squished together so basically I am apart of the culto whether or not I want to be. So I will try my best to articulate my ideas as my head is filled with yelling about Dios.

Since Jake has arrived, things have been going really well. Cristina seems more jovial and talkative. I have been able to feel more supported as Jake and I have had some really good conversations to help us both process life here and catch up on this past year. One night Cristina left us home alone so we made dinner together and spent the night chatting about everything. It has helped me to be able to talk about the reality of life here with another gringo.

We have been working hard this past week in the library. We come home at night and tend to be pretty exhausted. I have been helping Jake along with his Spanish. He has been improving a lot but it is tiring for both of us to be working so hard to understand. This week we began an english class with a few of our neighbors. In part to teach them but in part to make some friends. The classes have been filled with a lot of laughter as everyone is making a lot of mistakes but enjoying our time together. We have become good friends with our neighbor Dona Julieta. She is a sweet older woman who comes to our english classes. She comes but with the intention of just chatting with us. Every few days, she makes and sells empanadas (crushed plantanos filled with beans or sweet milk that are deep fried). They are incredible so we have spent a bit of time sitting with her enjoying her delicious food.

I can feel my friendships in Las Delicias growing much stronger. While I was here for 4 months last time, this time I am spending way more time in Las Delicias. I have begun seeing different kids throughout the community who recognize me and who are excited to see me. Different people in the community are beginning to understand who I am as well.

To get to Las Delicias we must take a few buses to get to the community of Arenera. This is the community just before Las Delicias and it is there that we wait for a pick up to reach the library. We stand under the hot sun, looking at a clothing factory while dust gets blown up with each car that passes. We wait with the other Salvadorans for at least 10 people to arrive. We have to wait because the fare for the pick up is $2.50. One can pay the whole amount and just go but most people cannot afford that so if you wait for 10 people its only 25 cents a person. So we wait with the other Salvadorans to experience for a brief moment how difficult it is to leave and come back to Las Delicias. But the most challenging part is there is no rhyme or reason to when a pick up will leave. I have been waiting for 10 minutes or an hour and 10 minutes.

The other day Jake and I went for the first time alone to Las Delicias. We had planned to meet a woman named Sara in Arenera as you never know how long you must wait. We planned to meet at nine and make the journey up together. We arrived before nine as the buses were quicker than usual in getting us to the entrance. As we stepped off the bus there was a group waiting to go up. The driver saw me and said alright lets go. We were herded into the pick up as I tried to explain we needed to wait for our friend. But at the same time I knew those people needed to get home. Some may have been waiting for an hour and well we made 10 so I couldn't say no. As we began the ride up, I tired and tried to call Sara to tell her not to come down. She picked up her phone just as we passed by the bus she was riding down on. Unfortunately it was a bit too late. She had to go all the way back down and wait to come back up.

It has been incredible to feel much more immersed in the community. I love explaining to people who I am and that I am not a missionary or with any other organization. Some don't understand where I came from and may assume a lot of things upon seeing me. But the best part is when we start talking and they realize I can speak Spanish. I can see something light up in their eyes and it immediately connects us, destroying the barriers that were present before. I love speaking Spanish. It brings to life another part of my soul. I feel more expressive and more confident in myself. I can feel myself understanding more each day and my ability to communicate has drastically improved. I am picking up on the Salvadoran lingo...dropping my s' (ma o meno instead of mas o menos), becoming more expressive and learning to tell long, elaborate stories. Spanish connects me to El Salvador and has taught me so much more about culture than I ever would have known. I am excited to continue learning and further immersing myself into such a beautiful place.