"I just need for you to be a little more pretty..." said Milena. "You have a iron for your hair, and lots of cute shoes... but you're always in flipflops and your hair is always pulled back"
This coming from a woman whose hair I haven`t seen down more than twice, who never wears makeup and who also only ever wears flipflops.
"I live in a humid, sweaty climate, with dirt or mud roads, and I bathe with a bowl. I don´t think I am game for traipsing around with my hair down in high heels," I told her. "Besides, who cares?"
Apparently, she sure does. I embrace my role as la gringa despeinada. Dirty feet, unpainted fingernails and all. Though, I do wish I could wear my hair down a little more often.
At least I have someone here telling me la verdad!
Thankfully I have had some minor victories to bouy my spirits against such blows.
My first women´s business group meeting had a fantastic turnout of 25 women. The second meeting had 20. We made our shampoo, and it is pretty decent. All the women are excited to make some minor changes, and then a little money.
With a little luck and a modest request, I was able to win a small grant to fund our training and a few batches of experimental soap and shampoo as well as some hardware. Thanks US embassy. Though it is only a little money, the women seem to encouraged by it, and it has definitely encouraged me, too.
The last few days of August will be as jam packed as the rest of this month has been, and September, so far, is looking pretty busy. Thank god.
I can´t believe August is almost over. How time flies in the developing world.
Other tidbits:
This coming from a woman whose hair I haven`t seen down more than twice, who never wears makeup and who also only ever wears flipflops.
"I live in a humid, sweaty climate, with dirt or mud roads, and I bathe with a bowl. I don´t think I am game for traipsing around with my hair down in high heels," I told her. "Besides, who cares?"
Apparently, she sure does. I embrace my role as la gringa despeinada. Dirty feet, unpainted fingernails and all. Though, I do wish I could wear my hair down a little more often.
At least I have someone here telling me la verdad!
Thankfully I have had some minor victories to bouy my spirits against such blows.
My first women´s business group meeting had a fantastic turnout of 25 women. The second meeting had 20. We made our shampoo, and it is pretty decent. All the women are excited to make some minor changes, and then a little money.
With a little luck and a modest request, I was able to win a small grant to fund our training and a few batches of experimental soap and shampoo as well as some hardware. Thanks US embassy. Though it is only a little money, the women seem to encouraged by it, and it has definitely encouraged me, too.
The last few days of August will be as jam packed as the rest of this month has been, and September, so far, is looking pretty busy. Thank god.
I can´t believe August is almost over. How time flies in the developing world.
Other tidbits:
- I am now accepting donations to add to my personal bank account. My Cause? Coming home at some point. My plan had been for Christmas and New Years, but things have been working against me. If you would like to make a donation, please let me know. haha.
- After a very awkward conversation with the Birdman, my questions have been answered, and all is well in El Salvador. We will continue "caminando juntos" for the time being. I´m glad for it.
- I learned a lot of good shit during a three day in-service training session in Ataco with all my favorite PCVs. It´s days like those I feel the full impact of my great luck in knowing such chivo people.
- My veggie garden is coming in full force. I expanded my beds and will be moving around my tomato plants. I´m nerdily excited about it, and my neighbors are impressed that I know how to dig holes and plant seeds. Cultural bridges. White girls also get their hands dirty.
- My nephew will be turning 7 on the Fifth day of September. He is really cool. Here´s a shoutout to my riot of a sobrino, Connor.
Future Butterfly, attached to my plastic chair
He waits
My Wall of Recuerdos. Thanks to Kelsey for amping
up my photo collection with a recent package.
My Salvi friends consider you a great photo artist.
As do I, of course.
My Salvi friends consider you a great photo artist.
As do I, of course.
Daily blossoms
Making Shampoo
Making Shampoo, still.
The day I stop being amazed by ants....
Ugh.
SUPER UGH
They eat mosquitos, so I´ve been told. I like them even more now.