Motorized Covere Wagons...

I am living with my host family in San Vicente at the base of a giant volcano. They have kept us busy with training session and meetings so I havn't had much time to keep in touch. I've already met with two school directors to discuss the state of the Salvadoran educational system and some of the acts and plans recently laid out by the government in terms of what they want to achieve. It has been awesome so far, my host family which consists of my host mom "Dora, my host father "Carlos" and my host brothers "Mario" 17, and "Eric" 3. Here is a quick run down on how life is for me out here. I wake up in the morning to a chorus of roosters that starts at approx. 3 am, however I don't actually get out of bed until 6:30am. I then put on my sandals and head over to the "Pila" to take a shower. The pila consists of a well and a bucket, I then proceed to get water from the well and pour it on to my head, this is my shower. I then make my way back to my room on the other side of the yard, careful to avoid the cows and groups of chickens all over the yard. I am off to training sessions at 8:00 in the morning at the training center about 10 minutes away. In order to get there you can take either a bus, which are revamped school buses from the States with paintings on the side of dragons and Jesus, stuff like that. Or ofcours there is the "Pick-up" which is exactly what it sounds like, a pick-up truck. Except this pickup comes fully-loaded with a cage mounted to the bed along with a tarp over the top to protect it's passerngers from rain. They are literally motorised covered wagons, they are fun. Especially when they hit the turns at 80 mph with a load of 15 people standing in the beds. All in all, it´s pretty awesome out here. We are on a different clock, La hora Salvadoreña. Well I need to go, will write again when I get the chance.

One Week Left...

I am leaving for El Salvador in one week, where I will be serving for two years and three months. Wow, I can't believe it has come so fast. I am filled with a sense of excitement, anticipation and also nervousness. My mind is also swirling around so fast, there are so many last minute things I need to take care of. Last minute dental work that needs to be in by tomorrow in order to receive dental clearance is at the top of the list. Along with, what can I pack inside of two suitcases that will be able to carry me through two years. What should I bring? What shouldn't I bring? Every thought just sort of flows in and out of my awareness like horses on a carousel. There are way too many things to be able to have it all completely in perspective. You've got your last minute "see you laters" you want to make sure that you see everybody before you leave. And of course on top of all of this my mom is getting married the day before I leave for staging! This is going to be a very interesting week. For those of you who are looking for info on packing lists, I will post mine at some point just to give you an idea. The packing lists provided by volunteers have helped me the most.