One of my reasons for wanting to visit (and perhaps work in) Central America is that it is a home to many Catholic ‘base communities’ - independent congregations who seek social justice in their localities - which the Liberation Theology movement of the mid-Twentieth Century gave birth to.
I gained an introduction to the base communities of El Salvador through Fundahmer, a local NGO that continues to work among these Catholic groups.
I gained an introduction to Fundahmer through Laura; I gained an introduction to her through a chance meeting, brought about by a case of mistaken identity (she thought the back of my head looked like the back of the head of an old friend of hers), some months earlier in Guatemala.
Laura also introduced me to my new favourite drink - the michelada - which is full of my favourite things (worcheshire sauce, lemon/lime, pepper & beer (a beer cocktail!)).
With several volunteers I was able to make several voyages out into the spectacular countryside to see local communities in various states of action.
I went to visit Sacocoyo with Laura, where she will live (again) next year.
I went to Colon with Jennifier, where she would like to live next year, and where she is currently running the large youth group. (It was every bit as cool as it was unusual to see cult images the revolutionist Archbishop Romero - who is a national hero - complete with the clerical collar (seen below) spread all over the country, it was quite a refreshing site.)
Finally, I made a day long trip out to Morazan with Mercedes, Erika & Jennifier, who had planned an event for the locals in support of the national day 'against domesticated violence suffered by women'.
I opted for a seat in the back of the ute at the super-early-morning check-in so as to stretch out and get a little more shut eye.
A beautiful shady spot beside the river was chosen as the site for the rally.
Those who came were provided with morning tea followed by lunch.
The opportunity to dance in the daylight proved to be somewhat less popular than the food.
I opted for a seat in the back of the ute again, this time it was for the good company and the chance to stare at the stars (when the rain drops weren't falling in my eyes) at high speed.
The timing of my visit was perfect in at least two ways: Firstly, Angel's father was in town, so I was able to meet him and join in on some of the excursions that were properly arranged for his benefit (such as a trip to the beach, that I can’t show you as I left with no memory card in my camera); and secondly, & most excitingly, I happened to be in town for Thanksgiving (or at least for the night that all the American volunteers were free to celebrate Thanksgiving).
Everybody pitched in with the food preparation.
My contribution to the meal was to make the NZ desert-delicacy ambrosia, which I did (más o menos) with the ingredients shown below.
It was the first time I have ever celebrated Thanksgiving.
There were heartfelt and memorable speeches given as each person present shared what they were currently thankful for in their life.
The night had a particularly Cuban flavour on account of Angel's father's nationality, his ability to make smashing mojitos ...
... and the cigars we smoked together at the end of the evening.
I meet some truly spectacular people during my time in El Salvador:
Mercedes
who won’t mind me telling you that she had her life transformed by an experience of God’s Spirit (who she was doing her best to avoid at the time) such that she ceased being a suicidal workaholic and is now spending her time living amongst & serving the poor in El Salvador. (She also has the cutest voice, which I wish was visible in photographs for you to hear.)
who is helping farmers throughout the country move towards more ecological and sustainable farming practises, and who I will forever love for introducing me to the tamarind and chilli iceblock.
who is all over the country working among the youth in the base communities.
the self proclaimed ‘survivor’, who allowed me to place my finger in the hole in the back of his skull where a bullet from a gang member messed him up, causing him to need to learn to walk for the second time in his life. (I bought jewellery that he had made as souvenirs for my sisters and mother.)
Laura
last but by no means least, the girl who made my whole El Salvadorian experience possible by welcoming me into her world during the fifteen minute exchange that resulted from our chance meeting in Guatemala.
Laura has been assigned to Fundhamer by the Art Corps, a really really interesting organisation that connects people with artist skills to local communities that are oppressed so has to lead and encourage them to pursue social justice through the visual arts.
At the beginning of my stay I was able to be included in one of the creative arts workshops that she was conducting for other staff members of the Fundahmer team, (that was when I first discovered my inability to find a puppet voice).
I was also able to help Laura finish painting some of the banners that she was making for upcoming events.
When she had time Laura was also my social events organiser, taking me to listen to jazz in the park along with her friends, for instance.
Great to see C2C back in big live action after a lull.
ReplyDeletestill following you Luke. Hope your 2010 is going well... and with all the gorgeous women and scenery how could it be otherwise?
ReplyDeleteSo how did the Thanksgiving feast cmpare to the rest of the exotic fare you've been sampling? I must say your beer cocktail sounds absolutely foul.
ReplyDeletewhere are your updates!!!! Cool to see that your trip is going well. Claire (Maslin) SHirley :)
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