The Great Parent Visit

So, being the nervous person that I am – I believe I arrived at the airport before my parent’s flight ever-left Miami…but that is to be expected.

They walked through those airport doors, with a look of bewilderment, and I screamed out their names and it was a joyous reunion. You could almost hear the band in the background. Hugs and kisses were given all around before heading over to the car rental agency – Avis.

They found our reservation and gave us a ride to the hotel in which they are stationed. This brings about our first little snafu. The girl who dropped us off – left with all our baggage still in the trunk…thankfully she returned quickly once called upon. The rental took a little longer then usual due to a hidden fee (evil lying Avis) but we were soon on our way.

Though, it was at the rental agency that I was reminded it was my father’s b-day…my bad. The rental agent started talking about saying happy birthday and I was like….oops. But who could blame me with the excitement of seeing my parents after 8 months?!

Anyway, we were then on our way to the hotel in San Salvador…or at least we thought. We missed a right and somehow were on our way to Sonsonate. We caught it early enough and pulled a U-turn…a very scary u turn. Dad pulled into oncoming traffic without the ability to enter into our proper lane. Dad asked me what we were doing, I said we were about to be hit and better to move to the side street….I believe I heard an up tick in the speed in which mother was playing yatzee.

After all that excitement – we made it to the hotel. I actually wasn’t that bad of a place. We then hit up Tony Roma’s – it’s nice to eat steak that you don’t have to tear in accordance with the grain of the meat. Not that I am complaining. We then just settled in for the night and I took and extremely long hot shower.

In the morning, we enjoyed breakfast and then made our way out to Suchitoto. It was a beautiful drive – well, at least after we had excited the main city. Suchitoto is a colonial town that is located next to a man made lake. The lake was formed by the construction of a dam. When we arrived, we found the tourist office and two Peace Corps volunteers – they are a married couple that had just been assigned there. They offered their suggestions and then we were on our way.

The hotel we stayed at was incredible! It definitely was decorated in a colonial feel and was owned by a lovely French family. The food was amazing – even when I accidentally got it with strawberries.

Now about the town – as mentioned, it is a beautiful town that is nestled in the greener area of the country. We enjoyed walking around and seeing the colonial church. The church is in need of restoration – but it is absolutely beautiful. You can kinda of see how the church in my community must of looked or felt. It’s a pity that the people accidentally ruined it while trying to improve it. But more about that another day.

We had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lake – a wonderful view. And then headed out for a tour of the lake and a waterfall with a local gentleman. He picked us up at two and we first headed over to the waterfalls. The falls were formed by lava flows and have a very distinctive look. When the rock breaks, it breaks in log form – so when you look at the falls they look like logs stacked. Very fascinating. Around the falls was also an overlook at the lake. It had old tables from when there was a small business there. Unfortunately, the business didn’t survive the civil war.

Next up was the ride on the lake. It was a private ride and just a little bit wet – we just beat out the rain. On the trip out, our guide explained how underneath the lake was a small village and hacienda. People had actually refused to leave and drowned. He also told how the Salvadorian president received airplanes from the US during the civil war – he decided to show off these planes above the lake. The only problem was was that Suchitoto was a gorilla strong hold – so 6 of those brand new planes were shot down into that lake. I sometimes find it amazing that more Salvadorians don’t hold a grudge about US involvement in the civil war.

Anyway, after the fun of the day – we just chilled in the hotel, swam and enjoyed an amazing dinner…I miss ravioli. I also recall watching a bad movie – whatever.

The next day we were off to La Palma. The receptionist at the hotel suggested we take the ferry over the lake – the trip would be quicker and nicer. We agreed and headed down to the lake and after traveling a sketchy road and waiting a little while, we discovered that the ferry wasn’t running that day. In order to be accurate – mom wanted to call and I just dragged my feet…which was the reason for the delay. We then turned around and managed to find our way to the proper roads (which was always and adventure) and get to La Palma.

La Palma is a small town located up in the mountains. It is know for an art style started by Fernando Llort – it’s a painting style that involves bright colors and images of the countryside and people. Anyway, the entire town is decorated with these sorts of paintings – the pharmacy, family homes and restaurants…which makes finding a store that sells them tricky at first. But never feel – we found the way! After some shopping, we returned to the hotel where Dad and I hopped onto some horses for a small ride. It was a small ride cause A – my saddle was too small B- those horses had definitely seen better days and C- the horses didn’t have bits – it was just a rope over the nose…not something I like if I want to trot or canter. It’s a shame cause the trails we rode on would have been perfect for such activities. After that we just relaxed in the hotel. I believe we watched a lot of the US open, had dinner and headed to bed.

The next morning…Saturday?...Mom woke up sick – evil stomach sort of sick. After finding out that the docs office wouldn’t be open till 11ish – we thought it best to get on the road and hit up the lab in San Salvador. Yes, I brought my mother to a lab – but I shall leave out the finer details. An hour later we learned that she had amebas. We then headed over to the pharmacy to pick up the proper drugs – no prescription needed. While waiting for the diagnosis we went food shopping (I am FULLY stocked) and had lunch – at least Dad and I did. When we were all done, we continued our drive to Juayua.

Juayua is a small town that is known for its food festivals – they have them every weekend. We stayed in a small hotel where Mom slept the day away. The bright side was she picked the perfect day to get sick – it was just a day we traveled on. That night we hit up a small restaurant for dinner and met some guys who were traveling around the country. I was personally shocked that they chose El Salvador for three weeks of traveling – but why not. They had just come from a celebration in a small town – it celebrates the eruption of a volcano that happened in the 1800’s I believe. And how do they celebrate this – you may be asking. By playing dodgeball where the balls are actually on fire. I’m not kidding. Anyway – it was nice to chitchat and then we were off to watch more of the US open and head to bed.

Sunday we enjoyed the food festival and market. The market up there is a small market – very manageable – and has venders that sell nicer stuff. I can still feel my father cringing. We wandered around the market picking up small things and then headed into the church to see a famous carving of Christ. It is called the ‘Cristo Negro’ or black Christ – carved by a Mr Quirio Catano. We then settle down for a nice lunch before going to our final destination – my place!

A small note – yes we did do a lot of traveling, but you have to remember that El Salvador is a small country and our longest drive was no more then 3.5 hours – and that’s coming from one part of the country to another. The drives also tend to take you through beautiful scenes. So…it’s not that bad.

Anyway, we got to my town Sunday afternoon. Little kids quickly came and stared as we unpacked the car. Now, a church group had come in July and brought luggage too – but that luggage was filled with clothes and toys for them….they were a little disappointed when that didn’t seem to be happening this time around.

After settling down for a little bit – we walked around town a little. I introduced them to Iris and we chit chatted before heading off to see more. I just showed them the general stuff – we didn’t go in anywhere cause it was Sunday and nothing was open. We visited Jessica for a little while and check out two of my artisan shops.

Then it was back to the house to relax before dinner. Dinner was something Iris and Sonia put together for Mom and Dad. They bought the chickens and cooked it all up – I just contributed the cake. It was a small dinner – but it really gave both groups a chance to meet – get to know the other sides of my life. When they found out that it had been Dad’s birthday – we all sang and completed a Salvadorian tradition of smearing the icing on the birthday person’s face. Yes, I do have a picture.

That brings us to Monday. I woke up just fine – but apparently there are a lot of noises that I have learned to block out…like the bus that passes at 4 am or the chickens that wander in front of the house and whine at all hours. Oops. Other then that, Monday morning was lovely – Dad made pancakes and then we waited for the parade. Yup, a parade went past my house on Monday. It was to mark the opening of the month of Independence. I then took them out to meet the people I work with. We went to the church and met up with the gringo priest that was down visiting. A conversation with him is always interesting. And then it was off to the town hall to meet everyone I work with – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Once I had introduced them around there, we hit up lunch at the nice comedor, did some shopping at my artisans place and then chilled in the house waiting for Mayra to come home to go to the waterfalls. Instead of walking out there – we drove. Not just cause we’re lazy – but cause Mom still wasn’t up to full strength and there was the real threat of rain. Of course, my parents loved the falls – who wouldn’t. We didn’t stay to long cause you have to cross a river to get there and everyone was worried the level of the river would rise. I should explain – the road is actually submerged in the river by about 1 – 3 inches. So, when it rises it can be tricky to pass.

Then is was time to go home, take some showers (Dad the cold shower and Mom the hot bucket bath) before meeting my landlord. It stands out in my mind for the following conversation. My landlord turned to me and said, ‘Barbara – I was looking for you the other day to ask if you wanted to borrow these chairs for your parents visit’ I translated this to my mother and she said, ‘that would’ve been great since the chairs in her house are really uncomfortable.’ I panicked for a moment before remembering that my landlord doesn’t speak English and then turned to my mother and said ‘those are his chairs’ and then I turned to my landlord and said ‘my mom thinks the chairs are beautiful’ – nice recovery….I know.

Afterward we headed off to dinner at Pizza Hut (cause that’s fine dinning) and picked up the last few things…like a fan. Apparently Mom and Dad didn’t enjoy the first night without the fan. Anyway, we had a lovely dinner and then brought back pizza for Iris and Sonia. We also gave them their gifts. It was then that Iris said that we should head over to Don Justo’s house and say hi. Don Justo was great and invited us right in. It was interesting to see his reaction – very mayor -esk.

Tuesday came way too quickly. One more shot at Daddy pancakes, a packing up of the car and a tearful goodbye with Iris and Sonia. Iris was nice enough to pick up a little present for my parents – key chains.

Then we were off to the capital. We checked out the Peace Corps office, had a nice little lunch and went to the airport. Again – a tiny snafu with Avis, but then they were on their way. I think saying good-bye is always the hardest part. It didn’t help that I had to get back to my pueblo that afternoon – so I was in a rush. (Peace Corps had us on lock down for the hurricane that was going to hit but never really did).

It was really great to see them and I can’t wait to see them for Christmas. There is nothing like being spoiled like your parents.