I have been back now for over a week in La Loma and there…has not been much going on. I had been warned that December in El Salvador is slow…but I had no idea how slow exactly. The first few days I came back and there was a lunch celebration in the school for the ending of the year (they do school years from January to November and now is their summer). I unfortunately had missed my school’s graduation because I was in training.
But, I was invited to the Novento Grado Graduation, in my pueblo (nearest town) which was on Saturday. The schools here are similar to the United States, there is a elementary school (which is the one I am assigned to technically and is physically located in my community) then there is middle school (for the most part) in the nearest pueblo or larger town. Most kids graduate at least from there, then if they can afford it go on to high school which usually costs money and is even farther, or if you’re lucky in the same pueblo. High School or called Bachiellrato is four years, and then a few students go on to college for another four years or an institutional school.
I attended my first graduation in El Salvador on Saturday evening. I was invited by a family I am very close with, whom their son was graduating. My mom re-washed (even though I had ALREADY washed the skirt at the Embassy house I stayed at for thanksgiving in the laundry machine so it wasn’t super crusty-like-dry that you get from hand washing) my clothes for the day and ironed them so I would look as cleaned up as possible. I never really wear make up here either (because I usually sweat it off within two hours) so she literally told me to wear makeup. I love being told how to dress up for a nice event, don’t you?? Anyways, I met up with the family at their house and thought we were driving, but instead we hiked the steep way down to the pueblo in my long skirt (thank goodness I carried my nicer shoes), so now I am covered in sweat hiking at 1 pm in the afternoon. We then attend church for 2 and ½ hours (Catholic) for the graduation, then they all walked in formality (you have a family member as your escort) to the casa communal (community house) for the ceremony which was another 2 and ½ hours. Finally, we had dinner at the school, which was the best part. They played music and we all ate together, the family and I included with the other graduates’ families. I thought what an awesome tradition that we do not have in the U.S. Everyone has to make reservations at such and such restaurant 3 months in advance and fights over who is paying and whatever. This was really cool and unique. As we piled in the pickup truck back and I rode in the back with 15 other people, I stared at the stars above me and realized how happy I was to be where I was at that moment in time.
This week has been hard coming back to La Loma. I am happy to be here, but I think everyone had been feeling a little homesick in my training group, after spending and being spoiled at a Embassy house with air conditioning, hot showers and everything food wise we were craving; it’s tough to return to…well…where I live honestly. After eating two dark chocolate bars (thank you Sarah for bringing one back from the US) and an entire box of Mac and Cheese for dinner, (who says you can’t eat your feelings?!) that I had been saving for a low moment (yes I did make it with powdered milk and this vegetable type replacement for butter than doesn’t need be to refrigerated); I realized little by little things will slowly get better.
I did a bunch of laundry Sunday morning (took about two hours to do all my sheets plus clothes) and it’s nice that now with the rain gone I do not have to worry about leaving my laundry out all day and not getting poured on. It’s always dry when I get home, which truly a great is feeling. Oh, the life of hand washing. I recently discovered fabric softener though (thank you Elsa!) and NOW all my clothes are no longer dry and scratchy afterwards. My road in the community is no longer muddy but dusty, but surprisingly the mosquitoes are still everywhere. What else? I visited my first culto (sort of like prayer circle) here, which the Evangelicals attend and I realized I will never convert. Though, I enjoyed the music a lot actually; I went home and listened to Debbie Friedman in my bed before going to sleep worrying that I forgot all my Hebrew blessings drilled in me since before I can remember finger painting Passover plates in preschool.
Hanukkah this year is during Christmas, which I always get excited when they cross over, I have no idea why. Perhaps because I feel it makes both holidays extra special. I am thinking of making a menorah here maybe, but we shall see. Thank you to all of those who have sent me packages lately, after coming home from training they could not have arrived at a better time. There is no doubt in my mind I have an incredibly supportive and loving community outside of El Salvador. :-)
Just kidding. Come on people. It´s my neighbor´s newborn! Her name is Paola Nicole...so cute.
We love you sweet girl. Everyone talks about your blog. I love following it.
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