And We're Back!!!

I have now been back in Suchitoto for a complete two weeks, and already many things have happened. My first weekend back we celebrated the anniversary of the Peace Accords, signed in 1992 to officially end the Civil War. On Saturday night, the volunteers and Peggy went to Mango Mocho, one of the communities surrounding Suchitoto, for a dance/concert to celebrate both the Peace Accords and the heroes of Guazapa, the mountains near Suchitoto that were a major rebel stronghold. A band called Los Torogoces de Morazán played; this band actually played during the civil war, traveling to areas of fighting and playing for the guerillas. It was absolutely amazing to be able to share in the enjoyment of their music with people from the communities - and oh how we did enjoy it!!! We danced the cumbia, merengue, banda; you name it. Such moments of pure enjoyment - even Sister Peggy joined in! Adults and children, estadounidenses and salvadoreños - all danced together to celebrate a moment of peace in this constantly violence-stricken country.

It has been wonderful, as always, living with Rosa. We usually come home around the same time, make dinner together, and are able to talk (and usually laugh) about our days. It is so incredibly life-giving to share a home with someone I both trust and enjoy thoroughly. Just this past weekend, Rosa took me to Copapayo to visit her family. Since I have told Niña Cruz that my pupusas inflated over break, she has decided that since I am apparently ready to wed (when your pupusas inflate, it means you are ready to be married), I need to prepare - ultimately, learning how to cook Salvadoran meals and how to prepare a chicken.

The day we went to Copapayo, unfortunately, we got there to late to learn how to prepare a chicken - darn. The chicken soup was already made and waiting for us. However, Niña Cruz had some river crabs to prepare. "First rule - do not be afraid of the crab." Sure, Niña Cruz. However, in order to test my ability to not be afraid of the crab, she took one and put it on my lap. Chuckling, she said "See how it runs!" Yes, very funny; so long as you are not the one with the spiky legs of a crab running all over your lap. I was supposed to follow her into the kitchen to help prepare the crab - however, a sudden squabble between Rosa's nieces and nephews demanded my immediate attention. As soon as everything was sorted out, the crab had already been cooked - oh well. Maybe next time?

And so I am back in Suchi - ¡qué suerte!