Day 28 Evening: A Beautiful Goodbye

Tonight was the final night of the conference. When we arrived in Panama we learned that tonight would be a white party... we had not packed for this. EEK! Christi and I tried to shop a bit for with little luck, so we made do with what we had. I did pick up this $6 black and white dress that worked out perfectly. Most clothing shipments go through the canal, so clothes are much cheaper here because they don't have the shipping cost to the US.

 

Our last night. I keep trying to think of the words, but I don't have them. Love is all I can think of. One of our hosts greeted me and said mi amorcita, my little love. Everyone we met has been so filled with love. Even the words they use about hosting us... they say they recieve us, like we are a gift to them. At the district conference we have gotten to see almost everyone we have met along the way. I'm not much of a cryer... but I keep tearing up every time I greet someone or leave someone.

It is no secret that we have had a lack of sleep this trip. And I am a person that needs sleep to be a functional human being. However, on this trip, I have had at max 6 hours of sleep per night... and that is a very generous estimate. The other part of this trip that is very difficult is being on point at all times with zero alone or rest time. I can not explain the exhaustion.

I literally just took a two minute nap. Seriously. We grab sleep everywhere.

With all of that said... we suck energy from our hosts and new friends. In every city we meet someone new that gives us such a boost. We want to talk to them, to learn from them, to laugh with them.

Hugging everyone goodbye was very hard. I honestly don't think I can ever say what their love, generosity, and kindness has meant to all of us. We have been humbled to the max.

To anyone reading this blog who has hosted us, driven us, spent an afternoon, a morning, an evening with us, eaten with us, laughed with us, talked with us, loved us...THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. We love you so much. You have no idea how much your life impacted us. We appreciate you taking the time out of your life to receive us. There are many times we did not speak the same language, but your kindness and love transcended any language barrier. Your smile gave me energy when I was too weak to talk. Your hug made me warm. And I think most importantly, you let me know I safe and at home. There are many wonderful aspects to this journey (the GSE), but you are the best. I love you all so much.

My wishes for you:

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind always be at your back,

May the sun shine upon your face,

May the rain fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Santa Ana, San Salvador, San Miguel, Chinandega, León, Managua, Jinotepe, Granada, San José, Cartago, Heredia, Panama City:

Liliana, Eli, Henry, Mario, Olga, Eduardo, Juan Carlos, Tony, Maybell, Meli, Niki, Sandra, Enrique, Manuel, Antonio, Jesus, Felicidad, Alejandro, Saskia, Julio, Jessica, Fernando, Francisco, Gladys, Ariella, Roberto, Roberto, y Roberto, Neny, Tito, Ramon, Lydia, Eduardo, Chuck, Alvaro, Humberto, Cristina, Jorge, and anyone I missed who we met along the way.

I will miss you. I will love you. And with all my being, I hope we will meet again.

 

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Day 6: Do I Have Cankles?

Saturday, April 6, 2013: 11:40p
I don't know if it's the altitude, the humidity or a mixture of both, but my feet are more swollen than a preggos in August (my apologies to Jimmy's wife who will be pregnant in August). A couple of us are experiencing this. Shoes are too tight, rings don't fit anymore and overall Fred Flinstone feet. I'm sure that just gave you a super awesome picture of me right now.
Moving on to San Miguel.
San Miguel is about 2-3 hours east of San Salvador. We were welcomed first thing at a lunch with members of the local Rotary clubs. We dined on steak, veggies, and rice. I have eaten more red meat here in the last week than I have in months in the US.
I met my host Gladys and her daughter Ariella, who is 13. Gladys and Ariella live with Gladys' sister in a neat little house near downtown San Miguel. Through this entire experience, it's so neat to see family dynamics, and this is just one more. Ariella is a bit boy crazy and is super in love with One Direction, Ne-Yo, Bruno Mars, and the Biebs. She's a beautiful, fun and vibrant girl who can not go a minute without asking to turn the music up and singing.

The view of the volcano from the balcony

View down to dining area from balcony (all open air)

Stupidly, neither Jimmy nor I slept the drive to San Miguel. For some reason, during this trip, I have become super cheery in the morning... who knew I had it in me? As soon as we ate lunch, I was dragging. Gladys is a lady after my own heart and immediately took me for a café. She said she has to have her 2p cappuccino. I was so thankful for the espresso. I'm getting pretty lucky with my hosts helping supply my coffee addiction. a strange difference between back home and here: back home, I can't have coffee after 12noon without it keeping me up all night. Here: I had a latte and immediately was able to crash for a 30-minute power nap.
Post power nap, we all met back up downtown to see the plaza. Gladys, Ariella and I then went to the mall for some air-conditioning. Everyone warned us about the heat in San Miguel and they were right. It's hot. Not as hot as I thought it would be, but 95+ with humidity. It's at these times you understand and welcome a cold shower.

La Reina de la Paz

Ariella, Gladys, Christi and me

A major difference in San Miguel is that much few people speak English. Gladys and I joke that our conversation is just both of us speaking Spanglish. She knows about as much English as I do Spanish. Ariella knows more, so she helps when we can't communicate.
That being said, we knew this presentation would be a bit harder. We all decided to attempt a bit more Spanish and have Paul translate the rest. I think they appreciated this and it kept our audience laughing and interested.

Our thoughts on our Spanish performance

Rotario Club Sirama, San Miguel

This club was very thoughtful (as many have been) and had our US flag as well as the Rotary flag and El Salvador flag and played our National Anthem. So nice.
During and post meeting we were all wiped. I know I keep mentioning us being tired, but the 14 hours days of constant communication and constant brain activity trying to decipher and speak Spanish are exhausting. Jimmy and I both discussed how happy we were to just have mindless stupid conversation on the bus ride to San Miguel so we didn't have to think.
However, we pushed though and joined the others at a karaoke bar. We each indulged in a cocktail or beer (with the exception of Christi who was a huge trooper despite not feeling well). Little sleep + one beer = Slap Happiness

Our new friends were so much fun and jubilant. And I must say, very persuasive. After a bit of pushing, they talked us into karaokeing (is that a word?) an English song. And by we, I mean Parker and Paul and we would all just be backup at the table. And what was the song Christi so perfectly selected? The best song every to represent karaoke in the US... Don't Stop Believing by Journey. As reluctant and shy as Parker seemed, he belted it out and had the entire crown singing along and cheering. It was a perfect cap to the night.

And don't you worry... I do have video as does Jimmy.
Tomorrow is an exciting day... the beach! We have been looking forward to this all week and hope to get to nap it out a lot tomorrow before our 4am bus ride to Nicaragua.

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