Warm Water, Cold Showers

How it is in El Salvador (at least for me):

• Freezing cold showers, which you think would feel good given that it is generally at least 90 degrees + humidity outside, but it is still a shock everytime.
• Bottled water is the ONLY acceptable drinking water, and it is always luke warm.  Even if I put it in the freezer the night before, it melts and is warm by 10 or 11am.
• Public "chicken buses" are the main mode of transportation, the type where you have to use your hand sanitizer when you're done and where you might get a seat and if you don't, you just have to hold on for dear life - or you just sway with the crowd of people standing ALL around. 
• I have gotten my excercise program started with lots and lots of walking, hauling rocks and trying to dig up clay.
• If you add together the heat, the stuffy, crowded buses, and walking up and down hills, it makes for lots of sweatiness.  I am usually soaked, but its okay, because everyone else is too.  Wet and stinky is just a part of life here in El Salvador.
• I have my own cot to sleep on and feel quite lucky to have my own fan since I live in a house of 20 people.  5 males, the rest women, makes for some tough negotiating for bathroom time.
• I have actually been working on projects and meeting with our partner organizations.  All of the humanitarian service and community development we do here is with a established, locally based organizations - some government funded, some religiously affiliated and others private.
• I am missing my boys but am so glad for phones that are only 10 cents a minute.  I have been able to talk to Russ and the boys almost everyday.
• Other things that defined this week - late nights, either with meetings or talking with volunteers or the Country Directors; early mornings, we generally leave the house around 6am or 7 at the latest; yummy latin food made by our "mamita", Estela; several quick runs to the bathroom; riding in the back of pick-up trucks (going 80miles per hour); and lots of improvement in my Spanish, I can still speak after all these years!

And for your viewing pleasure, a few pics of El Salvador . . .

Vamos a celebrar Cinco de Mayo!

Hooray for Mexico!  Thanks for giving us an excuse to get together and party!

It's really all about the food.  Everyone brought some really yummy Mexican dishes. Too bad I was getting over the stomach flu and couldn't eat much, but I'm sure it was all delicious!

Cody: "I can't look at the camera or my food will blow away!" (Notice the food on the table, that was from his neighbor's plate - it was a little windy)

Despite being slightly chilly (yes, on May 5), a good time was had by all.

And you can't have a Mexican party without a piñata!

Thanks Jessica and Stan for hosting and getting us all together for good food and good fun!

9th Day of Thanks&Giving - This Beautiful Earth

And this is Brazil, one of the most beautiful places on earth, but unfortunately for estimated 50 million or so people living in the slums, or favelas, of Rio de Janeiro and other cities, they are unable to enjoy its splendor. This article, "An upbeat spirit lifts Brazil's slums", is a great intro as we watch how Rio prepares for the 2016 olympics. The eyes of the world will be on this city - I wonder if it will help the poor residents of these shanty towns, or if the government will be too busy spending money elsewhere.