Geez Louise, it's already been over a month since my last post! Time is flying by, however I did spend 2 weeks in the states and a week on vacation around El Salvador in March. My time at home was awesome, seeing all my friends and family warmed my heart, the music lifted my soul and, the food was soooo good. It was scary how quickly I snapped back into my American life. Dad picked me up from the airport, hopped in the car (not a bus or a taxi!) and I was already calling friends on the drive home not worrying about how much saldo I had, catching up and making dinner plans.
There were a few Salvadoran habits that followed me home that I didn't get rid of so easily:
First, was the toilet paper. I could not seem to remember to throw it in the toilet. Out of habit I kept throwing it in the trash can. Dad was less that thrilled with the trash cans filling with used tp. Fortunately for all my hosts by the end of the week I was back in the swing of being able to flush the paper. However the reverse happened when I got back to El Salvador. I might have left a few hostals with sewage problems that first week.
Second, habit I found hard to break was greeting everyone on the street. As part of our volunteer cultural training they teach us to great everyone whether you know them or not. It is considered rude and people have even gotten offended if you don't give at least a little "Salu" or "Buenas." Despite being in Spanish the greeting wasn't so weird in Fredericksburg, where people still wave at every car they pass on the country roads. You know the finger flip from the steering wheel... granted they are usually all neighbors, friends, relatives and especially don't forget the local cops and state troopers. However once in Dallas, running the Katy Trail located in the heart of Up Town Snobs-ville, saying “Salu” to every person who ran by with their miniature dog or baby stroller by was definitely a bit odd. I do like the habit though. If I can train myself to do it in English, I think stranger greeting is a lovely custom to bring back to the states.
Not all customs I have picked up here are so great though. One of my biggest annoyances in El Salvador is the litter. I cringe every time I see people carelessly throw their trash out the bus window. I have unfortunately picked up the habit on a small purely biodegradable level. I love sitting in front of my house eating mangos, bananas or whatever fruit is in season and being able to throw the peel in the road. Between the numerous chickens, birds, cats and the dogs it will get eaten and enjoyed. So, after snacking on a few oranges in the car I wanted to get rid of the peel before Dad saw I had been eating in his car. (Sorry, Dad.) I pulled them out, looked around, saw no readily available trashcan and chunked them under the car in the parking lot. I was with a environmentally conscience friend and he looked at me like I was Mother Earth’s worst enemy. My response, “What? It’s biodegradable or the birds will eat it. Right?” Apparently not.
Part of my visit home was planned around going to SXSW in Austin. I was super excited to hear some great live music, something I greatly miss living here. One morning while staying with Karen I went to make a pot of tea. Karen walked in and found me, a bit frustrated, looking around the kitchen. She asked what I was looking for..."Where are your matches for the stove?" I said. She looked at me kind of funny, walked over to her gas stove, turned the knob and it lit. Oh yeah. You don't need matches to light the stove here. Right. You will never find a Salvadoran kitchen sans matches within arms length from the stove. Ever.
Aside from the few adjustments I had to make while being home the trip was a wonderful break. Here are a few photo highlights.
THE FAM
There were a few Salvadoran habits that followed me home that I didn't get rid of so easily:
First, was the toilet paper. I could not seem to remember to throw it in the toilet. Out of habit I kept throwing it in the trash can. Dad was less that thrilled with the trash cans filling with used tp. Fortunately for all my hosts by the end of the week I was back in the swing of being able to flush the paper. However the reverse happened when I got back to El Salvador. I might have left a few hostals with sewage problems that first week.
Second, habit I found hard to break was greeting everyone on the street. As part of our volunteer cultural training they teach us to great everyone whether you know them or not. It is considered rude and people have even gotten offended if you don't give at least a little "Salu" or "Buenas." Despite being in Spanish the greeting wasn't so weird in Fredericksburg, where people still wave at every car they pass on the country roads. You know the finger flip from the steering wheel... granted they are usually all neighbors, friends, relatives and especially don't forget the local cops and state troopers. However once in Dallas, running the Katy Trail located in the heart of Up Town Snobs-ville, saying “Salu” to every person who ran by with their miniature dog or baby stroller by was definitely a bit odd. I do like the habit though. If I can train myself to do it in English, I think stranger greeting is a lovely custom to bring back to the states.
Not all customs I have picked up here are so great though. One of my biggest annoyances in El Salvador is the litter. I cringe every time I see people carelessly throw their trash out the bus window. I have unfortunately picked up the habit on a small purely biodegradable level. I love sitting in front of my house eating mangos, bananas or whatever fruit is in season and being able to throw the peel in the road. Between the numerous chickens, birds, cats and the dogs it will get eaten and enjoyed. So, after snacking on a few oranges in the car I wanted to get rid of the peel before Dad saw I had been eating in his car. (Sorry, Dad.) I pulled them out, looked around, saw no readily available trashcan and chunked them under the car in the parking lot. I was with a environmentally conscience friend and he looked at me like I was Mother Earth’s worst enemy. My response, “What? It’s biodegradable or the birds will eat it. Right?” Apparently not.
Part of my visit home was planned around going to SXSW in Austin. I was super excited to hear some great live music, something I greatly miss living here. One morning while staying with Karen I went to make a pot of tea. Karen walked in and found me, a bit frustrated, looking around the kitchen. She asked what I was looking for..."Where are your matches for the stove?" I said. She looked at me kind of funny, walked over to her gas stove, turned the knob and it lit. Oh yeah. You don't need matches to light the stove here. Right. You will never find a Salvadoran kitchen sans matches within arms length from the stove. Ever.
Aside from the few adjustments I had to make while being home the trip was a wonderful break. Here are a few photo highlights.
THE FAM
Dad. Dinner at Hill TopMead. Jammin in Austin
Baby James. Meeting for the first time
Baby James. Meeting for the first time
Cousins. The tall jean obviously comes from the Bentsen side of the family.
THE FOOD
and drink...
THE MUSIC
Thanks to everyone back home who made my visit home so very special. I love you all so much.
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