On January 20th, we were told that we had to leave Peace Corps early. We were supposed to leave mid-September, but now we are being forced out April 30th. Peace Corps has recently decided that Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador are very dangerous countries and their tactics regarding work and volunteering need to be changed. So, no new volunteers are coming to El Salvador, the group that was supposed to leave in March is leaving 6 weeks early, and we are leaving about 6 months early. It was very upsetting because I haven't not been in my new site for that long and I'm really enjoying it. I have possibilities of doing some great things, but my time has been shortened, so now it won't be possible.
This time is also very hard for Peace Corps staff because they don't know what the future holds for them in regards to the continuation of Peace Corps in El Salvador. The Honduran volunteers were pulled out almost immediately because it was deemed too dangerous. We are lucky and have been able to stay while they implement changes, but the staff and everyone else, is so unsure of what the future holds.
Well, we recently found out that the office is being moved out of San Salvador, which will be hard for many staff members, and Peace Corps will only be working in the northern part of the country. That means that no one will be coming to my beautiful, wonderful site. Its a shame because the people are so great there and there are so many possibilities. Everyone is sad about it - but hopefully in the future, El Salvador will be more stable and have volunteers in more areas.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Backtracking to Christmas
So, its been forever since I've written, so I'll start back in December. I went home for Christmas - which was great! I loved being home in the cold and snow and BAKING! It was great to see my family as well.
So, I got off the plane and we went to the Hot Springs! Oh, it was so lovely. I must say if I don't live in the west when I'm older, I'm going to truly miss the hot springs. We went home and had a delicious dinner of Lasagna - one of my favs! Thanks mom! And then I spent a lot of time trying to get ready for Christmas and seeing people. We had a get together where I saw a bunch of friends and a little family - and it was so nice to see everyone. They were all so supportive and interested - which was not what I was expecting because life here can be so hard to explain and relate to! It was great. Then, we spent about 5 days up at the cabin for New Years! There wasn't much snow, but we had great fun playing hockey on the pond and ping pong in the barn. Lastly, I went to Denver with my sister. I saw a lot of family and a few friends, which again was great. I did go to the mall and was appalled by what people where. Here, when people go to buy in town, they wear a nice skirt and shirt or men wear slacks and a nice shirt. In the states people looked like they had just rolled out of bed - I was quite offended by it - I guess that's one thing I will miss here!
But overall, America was great. Having running hot and cold water, indoor showers that don't electrocute you, seeing family and friends, and traveling in private transportation were all quite the luxuries! However, I will miss people's formalities here, being invited to whoever's house whenever, and the delicious fruit!
So, I got off the plane and we went to the Hot Springs! Oh, it was so lovely. I must say if I don't live in the west when I'm older, I'm going to truly miss the hot springs. We went home and had a delicious dinner of Lasagna - one of my favs! Thanks mom! And then I spent a lot of time trying to get ready for Christmas and seeing people. We had a get together where I saw a bunch of friends and a little family - and it was so nice to see everyone. They were all so supportive and interested - which was not what I was expecting because life here can be so hard to explain and relate to! It was great. Then, we spent about 5 days up at the cabin for New Years! There wasn't much snow, but we had great fun playing hockey on the pond and ping pong in the barn. Lastly, I went to Denver with my sister. I saw a lot of family and a few friends, which again was great. I did go to the mall and was appalled by what people where. Here, when people go to buy in town, they wear a nice skirt and shirt or men wear slacks and a nice shirt. In the states people looked like they had just rolled out of bed - I was quite offended by it - I guess that's one thing I will miss here!
But overall, America was great. Having running hot and cold water, indoor showers that don't electrocute you, seeing family and friends, and traveling in private transportation were all quite the luxuries! However, I will miss people's formalities here, being invited to whoever's house whenever, and the delicious fruit!
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