We made our flights on time and were able to get a good look at the landscape as we flew into San Salvador (the capital... the city where Ryan was born). There were mountains and LOTS of green and hillside homes, shacks made of sheet metal. TeamTacy made it through customs with little trouble due to the language barrier and walked out to where we (were supposed to) meet our team. An hour and a million offers for "taxi" en espanol later, Ryan spotted a guy (one of our leaders, Alexis) with a sign which read "CPCI, Ryam." Hahah, we're all learning, I guess :)
We drove for about 40 minutes to Siloe (Sil-o-eh), the church where our home base was to be. Through the windey streets with garbage everywhere, being feasted on by stray dogs. I asked Alexis about the dogs and he said "No hay control" (there's no control). They don't spay or neuter their animals and they were roaming everywhere... which was very sad to me considering my puppy lives like royalty. There are no lanes on the road and cars fly by eachother dangerously close and dangerously fast!
When we arrived at Siloe and have to be let through a large security gate. (Ilopango, the town, has a lot of gang activity) We met Pastor Javier, some of our team members and our fearless leaders, Elsa and Josue. As soon as we arrived, we noted their hospitality... Ryan and I walked around campus and played with Salvadorean babies. We attended church service and ate dinner as a team.
After an evening team meeting, we were brought by van to our host mother's house in Soyapango - 20 mins outside of our home base, yet much safer to live. Next, we met MARIA LOUISA!!! She is an adorable little woman - probably about 5'1. She has chubby cheeks which makes her eyes squint when she smiles. It had been a long day, so we were shown our rooms, unpacked and settled in for the night. Maria Louisa assured us that "angels are watching over the house."
We drove for about 40 minutes to Siloe (Sil-o-eh), the church where our home base was to be. Through the windey streets with garbage everywhere, being feasted on by stray dogs. I asked Alexis about the dogs and he said "No hay control" (there's no control). They don't spay or neuter their animals and they were roaming everywhere... which was very sad to me considering my puppy lives like royalty. There are no lanes on the road and cars fly by eachother dangerously close and dangerously fast!
When we arrived at Siloe and have to be let through a large security gate. (Ilopango, the town, has a lot of gang activity) We met Pastor Javier, some of our team members and our fearless leaders, Elsa and Josue. As soon as we arrived, we noted their hospitality... Ryan and I walked around campus and played with Salvadorean babies. We attended church service and ate dinner as a team.
After an evening team meeting, we were brought by van to our host mother's house in Soyapango - 20 mins outside of our home base, yet much safer to live. Next, we met MARIA LOUISA!!! She is an adorable little woman - probably about 5'1. She has chubby cheeks which makes her eyes squint when she smiles. It had been a long day, so we were shown our rooms, unpacked and settled in for the night. Maria Louisa assured us that "angels are watching over the house."
No comments:
Post a Comment