I was without a doubt the luckiest guy in the world this week - I had visitors!
My buddy Jake 'the Snake' and his counterpart in crime, Taryn, came for two nights! I met them in San Miguel - which requiered me getting there early and waiting all day. With a half hour before the last bus of the day leaves towards my site, I recieved a random phone call (they are traveling without a cellphone, this makes it hard to get in touch). Jake told me they had landed in San Miguel but wasn't sure where they were. I was really confused for a second but then got my barrings straight.
I said to myself, "Jimbo... look for the only other white people in this town, and you will find your friends". Sure enough, this approach worked. Across the street, I saw a 6ft 4inch white giant. Success!
We arrived in Perquin a few hours later by way of pick-up truck. I won't even begin to try to describe what it is like to ride in the back of a pick-up as your main means of transportation. All I can say, is come visit, and you will see. We checked into the Hotel Lenka, which is a God sent oasis away from 'roughing it'. Through our gear in the room, and took off for Perquin to get some comida tipica. After slamming some papusas, eggs revuelta and frijoles it was time to take the dark walk back to homebase. We spent the rest of the night in the hotels game room. Ping pong, drinky drinkies, and catching up. It was both so weird and so great seeing old friends. Weird because when I landed in El Salvador, I kind of completely started my life over. New job, new friends, new language... so out of nowhwere, all of a sudden hanging with these guys was such a plesent suprise.
The next morning when we woke, we grabbed some breakfast and it was time to take your friends to work day. Pick-up to the desvio where we learned that no bus would be passing - hence, we started walking. We trucked it to Arambala, a small pueblo that you pass while heading to my site. There we waiting around till an ambulance driver passed. We flagged him down and he hesitantly picked us up and drove us to El Mozote. We took the 25 minute hike into my site. I have been dreaming of this moment - showing friends where I live and what I am doing. We went right to my house, I showed them my chicken poop infested room, dirty close, and my machete (Jake was jealous). Next, I introduced Jake and Taryn to my counterpart. We sat in the kitcken for a brief moment, my counterpart spoke to my guests as if they knew Spanish and I tried my best to make it not awkward.
Next, we took off for the football field. The dirt fields with stick-made goals is the epic-center for youth hangouts in my site. Not much too look at when there isn't a game, so we passed by on our way to the community. When we arrived, we were met by a ghoast town of colorful houses. Three children we on a pourch, but wouldn't say a word. All of a sudden, the one white kid have turned into three white kids - it was an interesting day to say the least. We headed for the lower part of the community where we chilled at the local tienda (store) for a few minutes. The owner was there and so was her neighbor. We sat and talked for about ten minutes. Not a lot was said, but it was a pretty cool exchange of culture. People that live completely different styles of life sitting on the same bench just shooting it... it was a really cool moment for me.
Finally, the best part of the day! SCHOOL VISIT! Taryn is going to school to be a teacher, so she was really exicted to hear that I work at a school. We left the store and took off for the two room school house. About half of the students were missing, apparently, a lot of the kids had to work with their families in the field that day - but trust me - we made do. I got things going by playing a game of 'heads, shoulders, knees and toes' with my students. I have been teaching them part parts in english and they love that song. After that, all the girls began to STARE at Taryn and her blonde hair. Jake and I decided it was time to start being boys - so obviously, we played some football. Two on two, I asked one of my students, Nilson, to pick the teams. He had to decide between Jake, an atheltic giant, me, his Peace Corps Volunteer, and a 6 year old kid that goes to school with him - he choose the little kid. Big mistake.
Jake and I released a whooping on them. I belive we ran the score up 6-nil before we realized we needed to chill out a little bit. The game consideted of the dirt road as the court, a puddle as the halfcourt line and 4 rocks for goals. It was perfect.
Don't think for a second that Tayrn was left out. She had 8 girls circled around her... she was a godess. They played about 48 different school yard games. More or less ring around the rosey - but Spanish versions...
Looking back, I really enjoyed having my friends come check out my new digs. It was interesting to watch them experience something for the first time. The same thing that I have been accustoming myself to for the past 3 months. In a way, I saw a lot of myself in their first reactions to the way of life in my site.
Leaving the school, the kids looked sad, which meant that they really enjoyed themselves - thank you Jake and Taryn... you have no idea how much your presence will help me get into this community!
We rolled back to my house for some coffee and hot rice/green peppers. Something you have to try while visiting. Central America, at noon, eating a hot lunch and chasing it with coffee - Jake and Taryn were sweating as if they had ran a marathon... haha guys!
We had just enough energy to make the hard hike out of site, relax for a few minutes, and then jump on the bus to get back to the hotel. Once there, we napped, ate dinner, and had another great night of hanging out, having a few drinks and just enjoying life.
It was really hard to see them go. It went by way too fast. But honestly, I don't think I have been more excited in the last 5 months than I was these last two days with my guests!
Here are some pictures! ENJOY!
Sorry for not knowing how to make a nice blog. From these pictures, you can tell it started off friendly. But it got ugly, Jake through some kids around. The lil' guy purposely was diving in puddles to get us wet and the hometown fans weren't rooting USA.
Here are four shots of Taryn just tearing it up in the school yard. The teacher is one of my counterparts and she kicks serious butt!
Moral of the story. It is amazing to have friends come visit you. Jake and Taryn have set the bar HIGH - it is a challenge for all of you who are expected to come visit me in the next two years!
Until next time!
Jbo - out
