Dinero

This week, we are trying to actually stick to our budget. We recieve a monthly stipend for food, rent, and extra costs. The stipend is more than enough, but at the same time our budget it very different from the life we once lived.

Honestly, in Minnesota Chris and I never had to think of what we spent. Occasionally we talked about going out to eat too often, but that was about it. Here in El Salvador our food budget is $5.00 a day (total). We are lucky to have breakfast provided during our work week, but lunch and dinner are up to us.

Thank God for pupusas. The favorite food of El Salvador! They cost around 60 cents each, and 2 or 3 pupusas is enough for a meal. True, bread and cheese and beans is not exactly known as the most healthy meal. But, when you don't have much it is functional and tasty, too.

The prices are very similar to the states for some foods. For example, yogurt costs 60 cents for a tiny container, white bread costs $1.00, 6 eggs cost $1.00. Vegetables are much cheaper, and they taste better too.

The key with vegetables is that we have to cook them. There are parasites here that are easy for us extranjeros to catch. We do not drink the water here (we may try it eventually, but not yet).

Other than budgets and food, life is moving slowly along. Chris and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary last week, complete with a (splurge) bottle of wine! No doubt this experience has stretched us in many ways. I continue to be grateful for his easygoing spirit, his lightness about life.

We are building closer relationships with our roommates Noel and Elba, and spending a lot of time with Melina, another volunteer from the states. We had a great day with Mario and Sarah, the other BVSer and finally made it to Immanuel Baptist Church in San Salvador! What a warm and wonderful place.

"It's like someone laughing in your ear, challenging you to figure out what to do when you don't know what to do. It humbles you. It opens your heart."

-Pema Chondron