A Long Day

I just got back from a shower, and yet am still sweating. At about 8:45pm, I decided it was getting late and headed for the shower. I stepped over Black, sleeping on his back as always, and realized that I forgot my clothes were still on the line outside. Even though they were still not dry (the sun was not out much today but you would never know it from the way I was sweating) I brought them in for fear of theft. Not that they are worth anything, but the thought of scrubbing the crap out of them on a rock for 3 hours at 6am this morning, only to have them stolen would really kill me. So when I looked up to pull them down, I saw a beautiful clear sky full of stars. It was really pretty and so peaceful...that it inspired me to blog. This internet modem card thing is pretty useful. Its $1 an hour or $2.50 for the day and it picks up internet whereever there is cell service pretty much. Its not bad... when it decides to work...and when it decides to work at a decent speed.

So after lava ropa -ing this morning, we had our Garbage Cleanup Campaign around the park and church with the kids at 8am. About 12 showed up. After that we headed to the soccer field, played, got stung by bees, offered free refreshments to the kids for cleaning up (of which my littlest brother decided to pour on the heads of the others) and then went for a swim in the river. It was about 3.5 ft deep with large rocks on both sides that were not visible in the murky, dirty, polluted and very soapy water from the people washing clothes. So of course it was perfect for teenage boys to be doing back flips into. I was semi-petrified the entire time. But as I got used to the plunging bodies, I gave in to the chicken fights. And not to toot my own horn but I took some skinny little 14 yr olds down. I also won the "how far can you swim under water (into rocks) holding your breath" race. I guess I should mention most Salvadorans can't swim...

After that I decided to take the bus to town to buy some soccer socks and get ice cream. My mom told me the socks cost $1 but the first place I found offered them for $3.50 and I was too sweaty to really care at that point. (Maybe I should have named this blog "Sweating".) Anyway, I was happy when I got them down to $2. But then they offered me a Salvadoran soccer jersey and of course I thought I needed one so I got that too for $8...worth $5. Okay I'm gonna practice bargaining. But the point of that is that Peace Corps had a sign-up to play JICA (the Japanese volunteer group comparable to PC) in the National Football Stadium in San Salv this weekend. So I signed up and am really excited to play. The stadium is supposed to be awesome and people are coming to watch and all. It costs una cora if you wanna come see us. Plus we get to spend Sat night in the capital city. Our 2nd night out. Trainings weak. But it seems like its gonna be a great weekend.

After getting ripped off, I went to the ice cream store we discovered on Friday and that I am now addicted to. Its $2.50 for a two scoop cone with sprinkles: thats the equivalent of about 7 choco bananas, 10 bus rides to town, a day of internet, 2 liquados, 8 pupusas or 2.5 pairs of socks if you are not a dumb gringa, but it was worth every penny. and I am definitely getting it again tomorrow. The past 2 times they have been out of coffee flavor but carmelo and chocolate were equally delicious...I imagine.

As soon as I walked in the door, my oldest bro was ready to head back to the soccer field. I was so tired, but went. My mom came for the first time. And fell about 10 mins into playing. It happens all the time on the rock dusty and dung covered field but I felt bad for her.

That brings me to where I am now. Sitting in my room sweating with some relaxing music playing. On the internet for a little. Paying a days worth but falling asleep already. And have class 8-5 tomorrow as usual. It's hard to imagine the rainy season since we haven't seen a drop yet. And I heard from another volunteer that the 3rd earthquake has occurred since we've been here and I have yet to actually feel one. I guess that's a good thing.

Thinking of everyone at home, can't wait to read some more letters soon. I have a little over 2 weeks left here until I move out on my own. I got some info about what my site will probably be like for the next 2 years. I've been told I will NOT have a host family (my own place, come party), I will be in a semi-mountainous area with a pretty view and close to some waterfalls, I will have a latrine and water but un-reliable electricity (for now). There is a strong women's group in the canton, it is very rural and very dusty. A canton is basically a rural place with just houses and possible a small soda shop or 2. The closest pueblo ( a small town basically) is over an hour walk or 30 mins by bus and a volunteer currently lives there but is moving back to the US soon. I found out Thurs the exact details so I will post then.

Write me! Send me stuff! I miss you guys and always thinking of home.

xoxo Jaime