My parents and brother Mark came to visit for 4 days over Thanksgiving. It was such a joy to have them here. To share this experience with them, to feel their energy and excitement for Suchitoto.
They stayed in the hostel at Centro Arte that night. The next morning we toured the arts center, a chat with the charismatic Sister Peggy, learning about the war and the lake in the museum "La Memoria Vive".
Every adventure has its bump in the road. My parents luggage was left in Atlanta. The folks at the airport told them they should come back to San Salvador the next day to get the luggage, otherwise they would have to wait a long time to receive it in Suchitoto. Peggy (the director at Centro Arte) said "absolutely not, I will call in the morning". Her strong presence is enough to make mountains move. She sent a taxi driver with their passports, and the taxi driver returned with the luggage.
We live in a different world!
After the luggage arrived everyone was much more relaxed and ready to explore. We enjoyed some time at Centro Arte para la Paz where we work, and learned a little about the war in their museum Memoria Vive. We walked around the town, enjoyed a swim at the hotel El Tejado, and of course ate pupusas at Villa Balanza.
The next day we went with Guazapa Tours on a hike. Guazapa is a hilly area where much of the guerrilla fighting took place. It was fascinating to see it and hear the struggles of the people fighting and hiding in the hills. We rode there and back on a pick up truck with bars attached. The hilly ride was quite rough, and we had to duck a lot due to the large branches in the way. Quite the adventure!
We went down to Puerto San Juan to see the beautiful Lago Suchitlan, and had a sweet Thanksgiving at Los Alemendros. I had been teaching a kindergarten music class, and sang a few of our songs at their graduation in a small community outside of Suchitoto. The family came to the graduation as well, which was a fun chance for them to see a cultural tradition here. The graduation was somewhat disorganized, but with a lot of joy and stylish outfits.
It was wonderful for them to meet the good people that we work with, the faces of our neighborhood and our friends as well. It makes it easier to be here, knowing that they have also been here and know Suchitoto. There is a calm and warmth here that is unlike any other place I have been, and I am growing to love it.
Thanksgiving was last month, but we are still grateful. Grateful for food, water, friends, and family, here and in the states.
The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. No, not at all. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass where ever you may be.
-Robert Fulghum
Monkey!
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