Seeing the Impossible and Conquering the Volcanic Heights of El Salvador

The last few weeks seem to have been a complete blur. By mid-May I think I hit the “stressed-out-oh-my-gosh-I-have-so-many-grants-to-write-I-do-not-have-enough-time” phase of my service. So, naturally I get sick and then take some trips. What normal people would do, right? Fortunately, I live in one of the more touristy parts of El Salvador (the best in my opinion, but I am also biased, just a tad of course…) and went to visit one of the few National parks about two hours from my site. It’s called El Imposible, “The Impossible” as you might guess. It’s beyond incredible in beauty, heights and greenery. I do not think I have never seen a cleaner and lack of trash area in the entire country. It was a relief in more ways than one. I went with another volunteer and we met up with some awesome New Zealanders for a waterfall tour, which included jumping into from various heights into freezing cold water. The friends we met had a water-proof camera and so below is a photo of me jumping into the water! The day before this hike I became extremely ill with the Central American stomach from…well…hell. It was by far the worst I have felt since being here; I have no idea what I ate that caused it. But, somehow mind over body I went, perhaps it was the freezing water which cleansed my system of feeling anything else but COLD or I am just clearly insane in more ways than one.

Since then for about…hmm…2 to 3 weeks I have been pretty sick. Attended training in San Salvador (needed permission from Washington, DC and the Country Director to have it in the capital) with my official counterparts from my community for three days (got tested for amoebas three times…nothing showed up).

PCV's, Counterparts and PC staff!

My school director and my health promoter came with me and we had an incredible time. It was nice to be treated to a nice hotel with high speed internet, hot showers and an incredible breakfast buffet in the morning with tipico AND American food. We became a lot closer and I think they had a better understanding of Peace Corps afterwards. I visited some volunteers in the Northern part of the country in Chalatenango, where you can actually see Honduras to learn more about a stove project to do in my site (which I think I am going to go through with, crossing my fingers).

(Honduras! From afar...)

 Eventually by early June, I was back in site and feeling better. I think my body finally just was like, “Alright, we are DONE being sick” So I visited some houses and spent some good quality time with my host family, who I now miss every time I leave the campo. I have been busy working on grants for upcoming project and the world map mural is coming along; I realized I felt so overwhelmed….so I do a different color each day when I can.

(Seno Rocio-my school director on the left, then on my right, Mari Cruz my health promoter)

About a week ago, my good friend Tricia came out to the Western part of the country (She lives on the other side in Morazon) while her Dad came to visit! She invited me to come up and meet him and also descansar (chill/rest/hang out) in Ataco and Apaneca. Oh of course, Jamie came along as well.

We went zip lining and just had a blast being together and playing. It was a treat for all of us. This week, a good friend of mine from Boulder, Colorado came to visit me! I feel so lucky that I have had two visitors now within my first year.

Maybe I should invite everyone to come to El Salvador!!! J Sam came in on Tuesday; we took the Peace Corps shuttle up to Cerro Verde. Then spent the night in this hostel that were shaped like igloos! Even though they were small I was beyond excited that we had hot water. It’s the small pleasures in life. J I know I will NEVER take a hot water shower for granted….like…EVER AGAIN.

(If this isn't classy, I don't know what is...wine, french bread, cheese...platanos; Volcano at sunset)

The following day after a long time waiting and waiting around for the police to escort us in hiking the Volcano Santa Ana and wandering around this deserted burned houses area, we found the guard house after hiking a bit and they came along to cuidar (take care of) us gringos in case, you know, we got robbed or something. It took about an hour up and down to hike the entire thing. It is the highest Volcano in all of El Salvador (it was also freezing) and was absolutely incredible (not lying!). I felt on top of the world.

(so close to the top!)

After hitching several rides with pickup trucks, a large transport truck, two buses and a 75 cent bowl of street French fries, we made it to Lago de Coatepeque. It was so lovely to just relax, chill, look at the lake and take it easy for a few days.

Hotel Torremolinas...beautiful, but we both got electrical shocks in the shower...

We met some other travelers which are always interesting and entertaining in exchanging stories and advice on where to go next. Oh I should give some background, Sam also lives in Nicaragua and he has actually been living there here in Central America longer than I have been in El Salvador. He is an exploration geologist working on a gold exploration project. So it’s not your normal introductions when you meet people. Here I am this nice Jewish girl, Peace Corps Volunteer living in the campo in El Salvador, traveling alongside for a week with some tall gringo who happens to live in Nicaragua looking for gold. NO BIG DEAL. J At least for me, I found it hilarious.

We are spending the weekend at the beach before we both have to go back to our work-busy lives starting on Monday. I have a committee meeting in San Vicente for a youth camp I am helping organize for September and Sam has to go back to Nicaragua…testing rock samples and digging into the earth’s contents. Until the next adventure…