A few of my favourite things

Please sing the following two lines to the classic tune of Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

When I miss my dog, when I get a bazillion bug bites, when I can’t speak Spanish

I simply remember my favourite things and then I don’t feel so sad!

Did you sing it? You better have!!

When I am feeling down it’s not very difficult to cheer myself up. I just think of some of my many blessings in Perquín

1: Aida Michel Gomez – My entire host family is great but Michel is something else entirely! In all honesty the girl can drive me up the stinking wall but I am SO grateful to have her as my little friend! We have inside jokes together, ongoing arguments, and huge laughs. I was recently asked to be her Madrina which is sort of like a Godmother but for the first communion. She has to wait until she turns 12 so looks like I am coming back in 4 years!

This is a photo from our  small paseo. We packed two bananas, bought two bags of chips, brought a towel and the english counting game I made and went to a little clearing not far away to look at the mountains eat and play. I will miss this little girl! 

2: PLATANOS and all the things you make with them! Fried, toasted, Empanadas, platanos with beans and crema, or just the platano itself… SO delicious! I am definitely going to be hunting down this banana like fruit when I get home.

3: Watching/playing futbal – people are still talking about how I was in that football tournament back in January. Playing futbal here in Perquín has been one of my highlights. Watching soccer games is always a good time too….even in the rain…under a tarp. These guys have mad skills and watching them do very near backflips to kick a ball impresses me every time!

4: Teaching English – In the park, at El Centro, or during my more formal classes in the “colonia” I love teaching English. One time after playing a game to learn the colours, one of my students came up to me and said “a me mi gusta su YELLOW pello”. My heart melted a little. I admire the motivation to learn English! The children and adults have much more motivation to learn English than I ever had to learn Spanish.

This was the first game I made to help the kids learn to count in english. It took me about 20 minutes to make but has provided hours of fun!  I have since recreated it and made it look a lot more visually appealing. Since it was so successful I made another to learn the colors! Learning should be fun!  

5: Coffee and Pan dulce – It’s officially a routine. I wake up a little extra early everyday so I can enjoy sitting in the park with my “café” and “pan dulce” and clear my head before going to work. I wasn’t a coffee drinker before a came… I am now.

6: Open doors and hospitality – I recently got to know a family who invited me into there home and wouldn’t let me leave until I had supper with them. I have gotten to know them fairly well and they have opened their door to me whenever I feel bored or just want to chat. Through their hospitality and patience with my Spanish, we have had stimulating conversations about religion, politics, and the recent war. There kids call my aunt Rebekah so I guess they are my second - second family here in El Salvador.

7: Unexpected gifts – I’m not all about the gifts… but there have been times that “regalitos” have brought a smile to my face. Even stickers and drawings warm my heart. One morning after church while enjoying a delicious breakfast, an older couple joined me. We talked about the election, a little about the war and how different Perquín was at that time. They shared there pan with me then mentioned how expensive pan is in other countries. Before leaving the older gentleman reached into his bag and pulled out a small flashlight and handed it to me saying it was a gift. I officially have El Salvadorian grandparents. I was a little confused at the time as to why he would give me a flashlight. A foreigner he barley knows, and will likely never see again. That small flashlight has become the most valuable thing I have acquired here in El Salvador. It is a symbol of the kindness, hospitality, and love I have experienced and never quite felt I deserved.

8 – Hugs and high-fives – I don’t think I need to explain this one except to say children give the best hugs! I will also mention that you cannot high-five here without giving a fist bump. They will wait for that fist pump. But who wouldn’t want a fist bump?

They are pretty darn adorable. 

9 - Dar la paz – During the church service there is a time of shaking hands or hugging to show the peace of Christ. Afterword’s everyone hold hands and we sing a song together thanking God for peace. I know this is not exactly a foreign custom. Many churches in Canada do the same. But knowing the history of the recent war and the effect it has had on the people, this small time to reflect on and thank God for peace is very powerful. It is a moving symbol of commitment to peace and justice.

We recently visited El Mozote with the children. El mozote is were there was a terrible massacre with only two survivors. The whole story is rather incredible and Mozote is now a space to recognize the importance of peace and the people who sacrificed to attain it. 

10 – Mountains – It’s not Bamf or Jasper but we have some incredible views her in Perquín! Lately I have been forgetting to look at the beauty surrounding Perquín. But the sunsets over the mountains’ terrain have inspired many “awe” or “take my breath away” moments.

Let me fill you in!

I have been in my placement for just over 4 months now and in Latin America for 5. As children we learn rapidly being new to everything. It is amazing what a child can pick up through observation, and curiosity.  That is what I have felt like for the past 5 months, watching, listening, getting excited about the smallest discoveries and learning, learning, LEARNING.  I have literally been like a child, learning to talk, act, and essentially how to live. 

Being a helpless child at the age of 20 is not easy. There have been moments where I forget that I am even capable of communicating in any language. I have been incredibly frustrated with others and myself as a result of the culture barrier. I have felt isolated, misplaced and alone. Although these have not been my favourite moments in the last 5 months they have been instrumental in my learning here in Perquín. Learning about myself, others, learning more about my own culture, the culture of El Salvador and learning more about God.

Speaking of Children. This was a fun evening! 

While I still have difficult days here in Perquin small things have encouraged me as of late. For example, going into a tienda and the salesperson knowing I want “Pan Dulce tostada”, or frantically looking for another quarter to make a doller and the vender saying, “it’s ok you can pay me tomorrow”.  I have been given a new nickname “Rebe”, which I love. It always brightens my day when sitting in the park reading or studying and being joined by locals, or a parent of one of the kids from the daycare. I am even at a point that when walking thorough town I will see multiple people I know and receive numerous hugs from local kids.  Small things like this have given me a stronger sense of belonging here in Perquín and I am sure will make it all the more difficult to leave.

There is a lot of art in the town of Perquín…but God's my favourite artist. Just look at that sunset! 

I got to partake in a big festival in January. It was three days of activities including a horse show, football tournament for the partidos, a bike race (Michel got second), lots of music and fireworks ! It was a very fun few days of non-stop excitement. Though I must say at the end I was ready for the fun to stop.

One part of the festival I was advised not to miss. First person to catch and lift the pig over the fence in under three minutes gets to take it home! I didn't compete. 

On the very last night of the festival there was a huge fireworks spectacle. I have been pretty big into metaphors lately. I think that has come as a result of always watching and thinking about what I am seeing.

As I stared into the sky watching the very impressive fireworks show I found myself comparing fireworks to my time here in Perquín. All the excitement and build up, over something where you don’t know what expect, lots of waiting and anticipation. Then, in the blink of an eye it’s all over. And even if you tried, you couldn’t get a single photo of what exactly it was that you just experienced.

My time here is incredibly limited.

Because time has gone be so fast I have began to think of the things I am going to miss after leaving. I am going to miss the way my little host sister says “darnit”. A word she may or may not have picked up from me. I’ll miss the super awesome handshake we created. I am going to miss platanos, Quehada, pan dulce, tortillas, papusas and various other foods. I will miss watching crazy intense football games and sitting in the park reading or studying and then being joined by 1, 2, 3 or more of the local children, putting away the books and playing with them. I will miss laughing with Mitchel to the point that we don’t know what we are laughing at anymore. I’ll miss transportation in the back of Hieldo’s, lets just say, “rustic” pick up and watching the sunset over the mountains.  I’ll miss tickling, singing, dancing, laughing, and playing with the kids at the daycare.  I know I am going to miss everyone of their smiling faces and the way they yell “Salude Rebekah” as the Microbus drives them away.

This is Anderson and Christian two of Perquins next top models. ;)  behind us is Hieldos "Rustic" truck.

These are just a FEW of the things that are going to make it hard to leave, trust me, there are many more. Sometimes I get so bummed out thinking about leaving that I have to think about all the difficult things I have had to overcome or still find challenging about being here. Speaking Spanish, felling excluded from conversations, cold showers, or getting sick and having no idea why.  But the honest truth is it has been a blessing to live in Perquín.

I know what your thinking…enough of the cheesy stuff.

 January was an exciting month. Let me fill you in. I mentioned that throughout the month of December and January I was involved in a futbal tournament. It was 4 against 4 games at the town park. I believe I mentioned that my team wasn’t very good. We actually were the first women’s team eliminated so that should give you a sense. However, regardless of how bad our team was I still had one of those “final 2 minutes of the game score a goal and victory” sort of moment.

In reality was just a good pass and I kicked it into the net. But since our team was so bad and because I am…well not El Salvadorian, the whole team and town went crazy. And for the next two or three days that was the first thing someone would mention when talking to me. (Disclaimer - the same thing happened after I took a pretty rough fall during a game). To me it felt like victory even though it wasn’t the last two minutes and we didn’t win the game…. we tied. But it was actually the only game we didn’t lose. So hey, that’s something.

This is actually the only picture I have of me participating in the Partidos. I guess I thought we would last in the tournament longer. Silly me. And…yes…I am tying my shoe. 

In January Perquín was also visited by a, in Morazán standards, “Celebrity”. El Salvador is right now in the midst of presidential elections. The two main parties are ARENA and FMLN. Oscar Sanchez the Vice Presidential candidate for FMLN stopped at the Perquín Square as part of his election campaign. I didn’t realize so many people could fit in the small town of Perquín.

Adelante vamos todos! 

I pondered why the Party would choose such a small town for a campaign location. I learned it was because of the ties between FMLN, Perquín, and the war. FMLN had a large part in the Guerrilla resistance of the El Salvadorian and American armed forces. Morazán and quite specifically Perquín was where much of the fighting during the El Salvador war took place. The majority of the population here in Morazán are huge supporters of FMLN and are confident Oscar will win in March. I will keep you posted!

A new year has also meant new students in El Centro, some as young as 2 years 5 months. I have been helping in the pre-kinder class while the children adjust to being away from home. The first few days there was a LOT of crying. Crying, similar to laughing is another universal language everyone understands but a lot more annoying. As the days have gone by and the kids have learned that there parents are NOT deserting them the crying has subsided. Still, the kids are adjusting to the rules and authority figures that come with leaving home.

A fiesta for the young ones! 

It was particularly entertaining to watch one little boy named Rudy Rodrigo adjust to spending the morning without his mom. When sitting in a circle around the classroom Cathy would sit behind Rudy until he was distracted enough that she could make a bolt it without him noticing. It would only take a couple seconds before Rudy would look back and realize his mom was not there. His face was heartbreaking but I must admit…the spectacle was a little hilarious.

As days went on Rudy got smarter. He would hold his moms hand, insist she sit beside him and not behind, or make more frequent checks to see that she was still there even catching here trying to escape once or twice. He wanted to be at El Centro but also wanted his mom there. He has since realized he cannot have the best of both worlds.

This is Rudy enjoying some of the benefits of attending El Centro. P.S I made the pretty rad looking Pinatta!

I am very glad to be reunited with the children at El Centro and am excited for what the year holds.  Teaching English in class has been mentioned, we’ll see if we can fit that into the curriculum. I found it encouraging that it took me just a week to learn the names of the new kids rather then the whole MONTH it took me when I first arrived. Progress!

BTW… the Mail mans name is Mario. Yesterday we had a nice chat about how the postal system works here. He remembers where everyone lives and based on the name on the letter he finds the person it belongs too. CRAZY eh. Do you want to be part of this insane postal system, make it onto my wall, AND give me an opportunity to talk more with the super cool mail-man Mario?

Yeah you do,

Bekah DeJong

Km 205, Carretera a Perquïn

Perquín, Morazán, El Salvador 

Centro América

I though it would be fun to introduce you to a few of El Centro Infantil’s newest students.

This is Eduardo. Eduardo is harder to understand in Spanish then I am. Although I can’t help but think… “is that what I sound like”? He talks fast and ALWAYS in a very loud voice near screaming. Half the time I can’t understand him… and judging by the picture… he didn’t understand when I said “smile” either. Eduardo is very rambunctious “nino” who has had a harder time with some of the restraints brought by the daycares rules and regulations. Who has time for learning when there is so much playing to be done?

This is Sophia. She has a killer smile; with those two dimples that I am sure she gets away with tons of stuff. Sophia once caught my attention while the teacher was doing a lesson then pointed across the circle at Eduardo who was playing with a toy car instead of listening. I then took the toy from Eduard, told him to listen then looked back at Sophie and saw she was smiling and giving me a big thumbs up. Teachers pet in the making? Maybe. 

This is Claudia de los Angeles. Which literally means Claudia from the angels. Claudia is very motherly. She will stand by the slid and attempt to catch kids who are a head taller then her. She loves to help the smaller kids change, which has resulted in a lot of backwards shirts and left foot right foot confusion. This is Claudia’s “I know that I can do it” frustration face, a direct result of me taking a picture of Claudia rather then letting her take a picture of me.

This is Jackson. Jackson loves to dance. I don’t think he can help but starting dancing to the music, any music. It is ridiculously entertaining to watch him go crazy to “Jail House Rock”, which is one of the kid’s favourite songs to dance to. Every time I look at Jackson I can’t help but smile and he always smiles right back.

Miss you all! Please keep praying for me as I continue to serve and learn in Perquín El Salvador

December and all the festivities that come with it!

As a child December would be spent counting down the days until Christmas and wishing time would time go by faster. In my more recent rears December had been a time of finishing classes, final papers cramming for exams, and just looking forward to dancing through campus with the ”I’m free” grin every student knows!

This December however, was different in nearly every way. I had never experienced a warm Christmas, but different things signify “tis the season” in El Salvador rather then a nip in the air.  Like for example, the sound of firecrackers.  Firecrackers were lite almost every night. The first one ALWAYS startled me but no one else seemed to flinch. I guess they know to expect it.

Our beautiful Christmas set-up! 

Over the holidays I was asked if I missed my family being so far from home. Of course the answer was “yes I do”. But the feelings I was having over the holidays were not those I expected.  

I assumed Christmas would be the most difficult time for me here in El Salvador. I am a bit of a Christmas nut and have a tendency to make it too big of a deal. But December had flown by and I was happy to be in Perquín for Christmas. That being said… there were several things that made the passing of this holiday a little easier for me.

1:FAMILIA! As previously mentioned, my dad and Lizzy came to visit. It was SUCH a joy to have my family here to share a little piece of my life in EL Salvador. We were able to see a lot of the more touristic areas in El Salvador. Lizzy and I were able to try surfing at one of the… in Surfer lingo - “rad beaches” that El Salvador is famous for. Other highlights include zip lining through the mountains in Apanaca, swimming through waterfalls in Juaya and admiring the mural covered towns along the “Ruta De Las Flores”. And naturally I couldn’t let my fam leave El Salvador without visiting my favorite pueblito, Perquín. 

Lizzy and her surfing instructor. At one point was trying to point out a sea turtle to Lizzy but was trying to make it very clear it was not a shark since she expressed a little fear.

My dad walking the La Libertad beach

Towns in El Salvador are covered with art. Usually the mural shares a little bit of the cultures heritage or struggles. 

It was the cherry on top of the sundae when my El Salvadoran family met my Dad and Lizzy. They all took note of how tall my dad is…now they understand where my height comes from. They mentioned how Lizzy looks a lot like a cousin who lives down the hill from us. Something I hadn’t noticed. Margarita made sure to tell my dad how many times I had locked my key into my bedroom. To which after translating my dad shared a few of my more forgetful moments in Canada. I learned that it’s kind of awkward translating stories about yourself.

Michel, Lizzy and my dad, in front of one of Perquíns beautiful Murals

Lizzy and I in-front of the church in Perquiín

Michelle, my 7-year-old host sister, is still talking about how Lizzy distinctly pointed out that Michel was holding her hand and not mine. Michel thought that was pretty funny. Margaritta and Hildo have mentioned several times now how nice it was to hear that my dad thinks I am in good hands. And I was thrilled able to show my family around Perquín! The daycare I work at, the church, the park, and the tortillarilla that my host family runs. The places I have been spending the bulk of my time this year.

I feel so lucky to be in Perquín, and I am glad I could share a little bit of its charm with my family.

My Dad and Lizy were only here from the 3^rd to the 9^th. So, what else kept me busy this holiday season?

2. PARTIDOS!

I didn’t really realize I was signing up for a TOURNAMENT when I put my name on the page. I thought it was just a team that was playing for fun. But to my surprise I found myself participating in a legit “football” tournament. Thankfully my team is more on the having fun side of things then the let’s win this tournament side. Don’t get me wrong… I am a big fan of winning things. Ask anyone. But at this point in my life I don’t need the pressure.

Now these are not the standard football games I was previously participating in. The tournament is actually held at the “ganchito” in town. It’s essentially a basketball court used for 4 on 4 soccer games. It’s almost like hockey since you can use the fence wall to bounce the ball off of.

The great thing about the tournament is a lot of the town comes out to watch. It’s not so great when I am playing and half the town sees me take a rough fall. But it has been a super awesome way to meet more of the locals, and actually have something to talk about. For example, “did you see me take that big fall” “yeah that looked pretty painful”, or “did your team win” “no we lost 14 – 0”. Legit, one time we lost 14 – 0. We didn’t have our awesome “portadora” that game... it was a pretty sad.

What else has made time fly….well…

3. YO SOY UNA ACTRESA!

I was asked to bring Michel to the church where she had a practice for the Christmas pageant. Since I didn’t have a whole lot to do during the days of December I decided to sit in and watch the kids rehearse.

Too much fun! 

The Christmas Pageant is a pretty big deal here so the kids needed a lot of practice. I ended up getting more involved then I thought I would and actually landed a role as an innkeeper, the bad one who sends Mary and Joseph away.  When opening night came (the 24^th) I said my lines with a clear strong voice so everyone in the very full church could hear. There may have been a slight outbreak of laughter but I nailed it.

Adorable… enough said!

Participating in the pageant filled some of my spare time and allowed me to get to know more kids. I love the kids or Perquín. Must be the water or something…cause they are all super awesome!

 

No sé si earn reyes no sé si earn tres
lo mas importante es que eran de Belen

4. CLASSE DE INGLES

Everyday at three o’oclock I had a small group of students for “classe de ingles”. We started of by learning how to introduce yourself and ask some basic questions. We learned the alphabet and how to count to twenty. With the help of some songs and the game Simon says we now have many of the human body parts down pat.

My highlight of teaching the class was the game I made to help the kids learn to count. Basically it was snakes and ladders but with a twist. I made the game for my English class but have found that I can’t leave the house without it. Especially if I plan on spending any time at the park, the kids love it. I just wish there was some way I could have had it laminated…. it’s been pretty well used.

Since I am back at work “classes de ingles” have been less frequent. But I intend to start them again in the near future when I get back into the swing of the working routine and learn what times and days work best.

So there you have it. The things that kept me from painstakingly missing home this holiday season. Or in other words, the things I was very grateful for.

Celebrating Christmas on the 24^th!

Christmas was beautiful here in EL Salvador. Michel and I spent the morning playing, eating and watching Christmas special cartoons. In the afternoon we went to a soccer game, which not even national holidays can keep from happing here in El Salvador. Later that evening we attended the Christmas service, after which Michel and I had our debut in the Christmas pageant. She made the 

cutest little shepherd ever!

Honestly, have you ever seen a shepherd this cute? 

After church we all returned to the house to enjoy a Christmas feast including rice, chicken, tamales, vegetable salad, nachos and hot chocolate.  I could not help but buy very small gifts for each of my host family members even though it’s not a costume to give presents for Christmas. The present is the presence of family and food. But Michel was all too happy to document this Western tradition. So was also pretty happy to enjoy many of the chocolates from my advent calendar.

Our christmas feast! And we actually sat around a table to enjoy it which only happens for special occasions.! Usually we disperse ourselves among the multiple chairs in the kitchen. 

 

Michel's documentation of the gift giving. :)

What I considered Christmas day was quiet. All the festivities happen on the 24^th. In fact everything is closed on the 25^th…not because it is Christmas but because everyone is recuperating from what was Christmas.

Can't celebrate Christmas without fireworks! Apparently a spark hit Michel's face during while posing for this photo. She complained about that for days.  

I suppose Christmas on the 24^th in the grand scheme of things its just another number. It just doesn’t sound right.

New years eve and in bed by 11.

New Years eve brought more food, and more firecrackers! On New Years Eve Day the whole family…and, well, most of Perquín went to “El Campo” where the very last two games of the football tournament were being played. It was the big tournament for the FOURTEEN teams the small town of Perquín has. There was certainly a different energy at this soccer game. You could tell the players were a lot more intense. The Mayor of Perquín was even there to give awards to the top three teams.

Later that day we left for a family friends house to have a new years feast. Turkey, rice, bread, potato’s, and salad. I enjoyed being amongst laughter, fun and love even if there were no bored games or giant ball being dropped on the television screen.

New years brings more fireworks! Fun for everyone! 

The family had a gift for Michel, a small guitar perfect for her tiny hands. She legitimately thinks she can play it. We’ve had a lot of fun with it. She strums away moving her fingers up and down the neck of the guitar while I sing some of the songs I have learned from church choir.

We got back around 10 and everyone was tired. It seemed odd to me that there was no “happy new year” and throw your hat sort of celebration at 12. I explained the Canadian tradition in which they responded with “oh…well here we sleep”. I think that is mainly just my host family since I could here firecrackers going off though the majority of the night.

So that was my December… missing this and that I am sure but I think this was more then enough to read.  Props to you if you didn’t just start skimming.

And shamless plug for mail… I have an impressive collection of letters and drawings on my bedroom wall. Want to see YOUR impressive penmanship, or art on my wall? Yeahh you do….

There’s a piece of tape with YOUR name on it!  

My Address is…... 

Bekah DeJong

Km 205, Carretera a Perquïn

Perquín, Morazán, El Salvador 

Centro América