Coming Full Circle

By mid-day Wednesday, I would be lying if I said I was a current Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador. I’m finished. Done. Finito. Over. Ya acabada. Gosh, it’s weird to say that. How strange, que raro. My two best friends here, Jamie and Elsa joined me in ringing the bell at the Peace Corps office in San Salvador in the termination of our service. It’s a weird concept to grasp that being in a country for two years.

The last few days in site were strange, saying goodbye to people, saying long, drawn out goodbyes again to people, visiting the school for the last time, being invited for dinner and lunch at people’s houses before I left. Packing as kind of a nightmare, how did I collect so many odds and ends in two years?? Giving things away, condensing sunscreen and other things in smaller travel bottles. Somehow burning half my hand with hot oil one morning, then receiving some beautiful crafts, gifts and smaller recuerdos from people in my community. 

ringing the bell, or well, attempting to...

My health promoter bought me a beautiful purse which is embroidered with flowers saying “El Salvador” on it. :-) Lilan, my best friend in site, crafted all kinds of beautiful treasures, treats and a keepsake box with my name on it. It was a wonderful send off. We had cake at a family friend’s house (owner of the coffee plantation) and a surprise church service in my honor with hot chocolate and pan dulce. What more could I have asked for? My host mom cried as I left the house, my host sister helped me to the bus stop, it was tough saying goodbye.

Bored on the bus, thanks mom.

(Ferry to Isla de Ometepe)

But, now the adventure begins!  The three of us (Jamie, Elsa and I) rang in the official COS (Close of Service) bell at the Peace Corps office in the company of most of its staff and one new trainee. We had our multiple interviews, documents to be signed, forms to be sent, Identification cards to be turned out and other paperwork to complete in just twenty-four hours. San Salvador for two nights, then took off Nicaragua!! It was a long twelve hour bus ride, but at least I was traveling alongside some pretty cool new RPCV’s (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers).  The plan is to go to Nicaragua first, then I split off from the girls to Honduras while they head to Costa Rica (since I have been with Amanda in 2010), I will travel from Managua to Tegucigalpa, then onto the Bay Islands, specifically Utila to get my scuba diving certification! I plan on going from there to the Copan Ruins, then onto Guatemala for a bit and then ending in Mexico!

Before leaving, I was full of nervousness, excitement and figuring out last minute travel details (buying bus tickets, snacks, etc.). I was as ready as I would ever be for the next camino (journey).  

We arrived in Managua, Nicaragua on Thursday, August 15^th, then traveled to Isla de Ometepe on Friday, stayed the night in the port city Moyogalpa, and arrived last night at this magical hotel called Finca Mystica. It’s a very hippy, crunch granola vibe run by a young American couple. We have our own cabin, decorated individually by wine glass windows, mosquito nets and reusable materials. The beach (black sand, there are two volcanos on the island) is a ten minute walk away and the restaurant is delicious.

Jamie and her GIANT papaya.

I was really stressed out about traveling (arrangements, my bag being too heavy-it still is, hotels, tickets, transport, etc), but now that we are here, I know things will work out and I have nothing to worry about. No Peace Corps rules or restrictions to stop us, no attachments and nothing to be concerned with. I really only need to not get sick or robbed, which ojala neither of those two things will happen. :-)

We’re planning to spend the day hiking waterfalls, then go to another part of the island at some point, when? I don’t know. Do I care? Not really. Right now, I have no cares in the world, to be happy, free and enjoy some good tostones.

To sum up my experiences and feelings, I wrote sort of a goodbye article for the Peace Corps El Salvador Volunteer Magazine, El Camino, which I have attached. It’s a little long, so if you don’t get through it all, no worries. I may be saying goodbye to El Salvador for now, but I definitely plan on coming back and visiting in the near future. J I know in many ways my memories, stories, relationships and times in this beautiful country will be a part of my life for many, many years to come.