1) On Thursday about ten of us went to this cute outdoor café/bar thing for a concert. The band playing was called Pez Luna and it was an acoustic set. They were amazing and I had so much fun. The weather was in the upper 70’s (aka perfect) and being outdoors was refreshing.
2) On Friday we went to Nuvua Suyapa which is about 15 min from our University but a very poor community. We spent about three hours there talking to some of the local community leaders and learning more about projects going on in the town. One guy talked about a loan program which women can get involved in. They get together with about seven other gals and can get money for a small business or to purchase a cow. They money comes from loans for the States. The gals have to put money back in “the pot” every four months or so and so they are earning interest on it too. This might not have been the clearest explanation- sorry, but it seems like a cool idea and if you want to know more about it email me.
3) We also got to walk around the town and talk with some women who had been victims of domestic violence. This was so powerful and amazing. There was a support group called Mujers Valiente (Courageous Women) which was started there by a couple about five years. The program has touched many women and it was amazing to hear their stories. These women usually do not have a partner now and have many children but still there are happy and blessed to be alive. For example, they only get clean water every 15 days and the day we were there was one of the days so everyone was washing clothes, cleaning up and filling old water bottles to store up for the next two weeks. Can you imagine that? I feel so spoiled….
4) I tried Pupusas for the first time here. SOO GOOD! (They are a type of food that I believe originated from El Salvador- google it)
5) My sister loves playing games so we played Sponge Bob Square Pants Monopoly, Uno, and Bingo this weekend. Mono was fun but she totally plays by different rules, since the game is in English and she can’t read it so like made up her own rules. It was quite interesting.
6) I brought my straighter down here and Dani loves that! So on Saturday I straightened her hair. I love having a little sister…. Okay so she is 10, not that little, but she always makes my life more interesting which I adore about her. She made me the cutest card on Valentines Day and gave me some candy.
7) And finally movies I watched in Spanish this week and weekend. We watch a lot of TV here…But its ok cause im working on my Spanish :)
- Sweetest Thing
-Ella Enchanted
-Scent of a Woman
- Are We There Yet
- Step It Up
- A Lot Like Love
And my highlight from this week was going to the local market on Sunday and I bought carrots and peeled them making my own “baby carrots” for my lunches this week. I had gone two weeks without eating raw carrots!!!
2 comments:
Cara, the world has a lot of sad situations, like poverty and violence, so I'm glad your compassion is growing and you're getting to see creative solutions! I'm glad you're having fun with your family and eating well too. Smile. love, Mom
Kitty says "Smile." Yes, Cara, we like your smile. I'm sure it brightens the day of everyone you meet, and it brightens our day when we see pictures of you. And, if you're feeling down, give yourself a little smile 'cause that's how you get to be feeling better. --Piney Trigger (Uncle Steve)
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