El 15 de Septiembre, El Zarzal

Cutie Pies

Literally the best breakfast pupusas I've had, maybe ever.

How we roll in my hood.

Cachiporristas in sleeves and pants!

Danza Folklorica. And THRILLED about it.

I think we were on the same page.

Choque de Bichos

Some super dinamic kiddos.

 BTW, The former PCV in El Zarzal did this map. Fine work!

Well, I've lived though another 15th of September in a Latino nation. Wheew. Long gone is Morelia '08.

That's the good news.  

The bad news is that I've hit the 6 months left slump, and with so little service ahead of me, I feel like I'll be here for eternity.

I've been really REALLY good though. I've kept my butt in site, I've pasear'ed, I've done a small census, I've been going to sewing classes and calling NGOs like a boss...  But as truly nice as everyone is and as sano as my community is, I'm just feeling a little "meh."

I really miss La Familia Gallardo. My besties from El Cocalito. I've talked with them, but nothing beats a 5 pm coffee and bread on the front porch.

I also miss my family family. I even tried scheming to get back for a Thanksgiving visit, but stupid AAirlines was not in the mood to indulge a broke, creditless PCV. I never cared much for you either, Citi.

The plus side (and despite my grumbles, it'a a pretty substantial level of "plus") is that there are 20 women learning sewing basics in my site. I have 2 hours a week to teach art at CE El Zarzal, I've learned how to embroider by hand and run a sewing machine, the COED camp is going to be great, the women who make artisan clothing in my site will be selling at a feria in San Salvador, and might be selling in an upscale mall also in San Salvador, and we might be getting more electricity hook-ups. 

So, I  guess I should let go of the ant infestations, the fact that some people still only call me either "Elena" or "Muchacha" and just keep on loving this site, for 6 more months.