Lago de Ilopango

After spending more than 1 week in a depressive San Salvador style funk (I know, poor me, I have free wireless internet access, I live in a nice safe 'hood, and the only thing I can't buy is OB tampons) I found my spirit again in El Salvador.

I visited one of my fellow Crisis Corps Volunteers near the Lago de Ilopango. Can I describe it to you without pictures? Can I describe it to you with pictures? I've talked several times with my friend there, seen pictures, seen his presentations about the reality of life there, but I didn't TRULY understand it until I saw it. But still, with or without pictures, with or without the ability to experience the reality, I must share...Voice and the freedom to share is one of the few things we Americans still have (for now...)

So, last year when Hurricane Stan hit, it turned into a Tropical Storm in El Salvador. Because of the heavy rains, there was flooding in many areas of El Salvador...including Lago de Ilopango. Part of the problem is that there has been soil erosion in El Salvador. El Salvador is a country that is full of massive hills/volcanoes that have been stripped of trees that could potentially prevent flooding problems. So, when these massive rains came through last year (and its the rainy season now, so its happening again) the soil/mud/sand washes down from the hills and deposits either in or near the lago (lake) de Ilopango. The problem is that there are many homes that are near there. Its impossible to imagine--with or without a picture--but there are homes built in the "river" where the rainfall drains into the lake, and there are homes built directly next to the lake. So what does this mean? This means that there are sand deposits halfway up to the doorways in many houses near the lake which means you have to literally step down more than a foot to enter the home. The houses built in the "river" flood when it rains heavily. And what does this mean for the lake? The lake is rising, its flooding into homes near the lake. What does this mean for garbage? It means that the garbage "dump" floods out into the communities when there is heavy rain. So what does this mean for health problems like dengue or malaria? It means that there is a constant risk of dengue/malaria in the area because there is constantly standing water that creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes. So why don't the people just move? Well, they're poor, and income is generated through fishing a (polluted) lake or the minimal tourism that comes through there. And why would someone move when the threat/pressure to join a gang is so high? (Assumption on my part, but gang violence is a reality here in El Salvador...)

So, what am I doing? I'm sharing this with a small community of people that care, and TRYING to support my Crisis Corps friend in his endeavors in this one community. My heart breaks, but it reinforces the reason that I am here in El Salvador--I can't ignore the reality of poverty that has been created by the world and I need to keep learning about the reality from intelligent caring people...and more importantly from the Salvadorans themselves.

Well, why do I feel better? Because I know that I have the power to share this reality with others...even though we are powerless in this one community, we are NOT powerless politically in our country and we CAN make choices in the things we do, things we buy, and choices we make in everyday life. I also feel better because I have a beautiful life...I have friends, loving family, my health, education, potential, options...Most importanlty I have a conscience...A conscience that is always in check and always evolving. I wish I could do more, but for now estoy siempre luchando por un mundo mejor!

Romero

Site of Romero's assassination March 24, 1980 in the chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence San Salvador, El Salvador
"En Este Altar Monsenor Oscar A Romero Ofrendo Su Vida A Dios Por Su Pueblo" "At this Altar Monsenor Oscar A Romero Offered His Life to God for His People"
Memorial for those killed and disappeared during the war in San Salvador Parque de Cuscatlan(there is a large blank area for those that have not been named/recorded)
Mural in Parque de Cuscatlan

Costa Rica

I visited Costa Rica last week for my birthday to see Sara. Here are some of the highlights:


1) Sara and I on the beach

2) We hiked for 3 hours--its good to be non- smokers!

3) Monkeys on the roof of our hotel

4) Yes, I am a Peace Corps Volunteer, but I woke up in heaven on my birthday (and so did Georgette!) thanks to Sara

Top 5

Okay, this has nothing to do with El Salvador, but (thank God!) since I don't have television, I'm able to read alot more--especially on long bus rides! Here is my top 5 recommended books that I've read since I've been here:

1) The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho (Paulo Coelhos journey on the Road to Santiago--very inspiring!)

2) The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (Biblical story of Dinah--Jacob and Leah's daughter. Extremely empowering for women.)

3)The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (Another good book for women's empowerment.)

4) Night of the Radishes by Sandra Benitez (Conjures up fond memories of Mexico, as it is partially set in Oaxaca, Mexico)

5) Tear this Heart Out by Angeles Mastretta (More women empowerment! Fictional story set in Mexico post-revolution period)

(I'm also reading Jared Diamond's book "Collapse"--requires more brain power than the others, but well worth it! Essentially taking lessons learned from societies that have failed historically, and applying that to current environmental/societal concerns and realities.)