Sculpture Garden, Air Conditioning and Carrot Cake Cupcakes? Why, yes I would love to work for the Embassy.

(English class!)
Today was our last trip to San Salvador before we leave for our “Counterpart Day” next weekend after we are sworn in and head to our communities. We woke up at the crack of dawn (literally the sun was just starting to rise) and took our pick up at 6:15 am to San Vicente, then continued to load a bus heading to San Salvador. It was super nice to have a huge bus all to ourselves, along with the Peace Corps training staff and our teachers (maestras). Our first stop was the Military Museum, which used to be the Military Building for El Salvador pre-civil war and mostly included an intense archive of several weapons, photos of combat and other military type things like tanks and more guns. Our tour guide was very friendly; I learned that El Salvador went to Iraq around 2003, which I thought was interesting.
I am glad I experienced it, but have no intension of returning. Afterwards we visited another museum that was basically the other side (leftist) of the civil war. This was the opposite of the previous museum and had lots of colors, art, colored photos, pretty decorations and I already felt happier even though it was still about war. We watched a very long video about how El Salvador killed off most of the Indian popular in the 1930’s when the farmers revolted against the coffee plantation owners for better wages, which based ended up killing 10,000 people. I know, seems completely logical, but unfortunately this happens all over the world, even today.

FINALLY after lots of death, guns, weapons, sadness and war, we went to lunch. You might think how did you have an appetite? Oh, well when it comes to eating American food of our choice, we always have an appetite. We visited a new mall called Multi-Plaza, which is now my new favorite place. They had an Asian AND Thai restaurant (but I didn’t go, I was worried about time). They also had the mega of megas Super Selectos (the grocery store chain in El Sal). I also did not get to go, but I did hear they had all kinds of wonderful joys like dried fruit and a large American section. I am stoked to return. Liz and I decided on Papa John’s, as we enjoy it more than Pizza Hut and got a great deal for $2.50 for a slice of pizza, cheese sticks (she got bruscetta), and a soda. Delicious. Here’s the photo. It’s never looked so good. We also got frozen yogurt, which was FABULOUS. This place worked differently than in the US. They had a HUGE selection of fruits, everything from mango, fresh coconut, papaya, even blueberries which I haven’t seen since July. Then they mash up the fruit of your choice and blend it into the plain flavored froyo. It was amazing. I am returning for sure. We also found a small bookstore in the mall which had a HUGE English selection (when I say huge, I mean roughly half the size of my room). They had all kinds of stuff, I bought Romeo and Juliet, as I have never actually read it, and it was only $6 and a small easily backpack-able version.

(frozen yogurt!)

Once leaving the wonderful Multiplaza mall, we headed to the Embassy. Yes, the one of the United States. I have been excited for this visit from the beginning, our official “tea” with the Ambassador. We did not even go to the Embassy; we had “tea” (which included photos, an informal meeting, and several tasty drinks and sandwiches) at her residence which is on site. Unfortunately, none of us were allowed to take a camera, which is the same regulation everywhere. Her house is absolutely amazing. I felt like I was at a palace or a five star hotel. She had beautiful art everything, there were photos of her and the President (he visited about 4-5 months ago), Sonia Sotomayor and herself (they are best buddies, both from Puerto Rico and also just visited), then the frames continue with Ricky Martin as well as Jennifer Lopez. Not kidding. She has this beautiful terrace/patio with a huge backyard with a sculpture garden, fountains and flowers everywhere. We met with her and the Deputy Chief of Mission; both were able to answer all kinds of questions. I asked what was the hardest thing about her job, some people asked what was her favorite thing about El Salvador, how often do they communicate with the Salvadoran Government (everyday, sometimes multiple times a day), and other things. She truly sounds amazing and she LOVES Peace Corps. She is actually going with our Country Director, Jaime tomorrow to visit a volunteer and she makes it a point to see one every time she gets the opportunity to leave the capital. I thought that was pretty amazing, we also can sign up to be paired with an Embassy employee for Thanksgiving. Do not worry either; there are over 150 employees, so I should be good. :-)
Fun Facts: The U.S. Embassy in El Salvador is one of the largest Embassies per square footage in the world
The building shares property with USAID and the US Navy, plus houses the Ambassador’s residence
They served us delicious mini chicken salad sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese, oatmeal cookies, fudgy brownies with M&M’s, AND carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. I was in heaven, along with everyone else.
During our meeting, the DCM told us (he had just worked in Mexico for 2 years) that the homicide rate in El Salvador is actually double than Mexico and it’s actually safer in Iraq (perhaps not for Americans, but armed forces/homicide rate/security wise I figure). I found that REALLY interesting.

It truly was an amazing opportunity to have met her and I feel because El Salvador is a small country, because the Ambassador really likes Peace Corps, I would not have had this opportunity if I was placed somewhere else. She gave us a great pep speech about how wonderful the work we are doing will truly make difference, how we help change and increase a positive image of Americans and make her job a lot easier. She is also attending our swearing in ceremony next week. Here’s more information on the Embassy/her background if you are interested: http://sansalvador.usembassy.gov/

I find out my site assignment tomorrow. I cannot believe that day has arrived. It feels like the last seven weeks of training have gone by so fast but also very slow at times. This time next week, I will officially be sworn in as a Volunteer. I am going to update my blog tomorrow as well with information on my site, so until then, cross your fingers!

delicious Papa John's Pizza