Tuesday, July 27, 2004
My First Rodeo
My friend Tracy from back home would be so proud of me. I went to my first Rodeo! It was awesome! I am definately now a fan. This last week Antigua celebrated Antigua Day. We've had a fair, bands playing in the central park, a rodea...the whole 9 yards.
So Sunday we all decided to go the the rodeo. I have never been, but I thought hell, why not...what's the chance of me going to a rodeo in Guatemala again...not very big. It's 3pm and it's pouring ran. Sabine looks at me and says "Melissa, there's no way I'm going to this thing in the rain." Only by an act of God does it stop raining and we're off.
We get down there and everyone chickens out except me, Stacey and Anne. We stood outside of the ring on a hill looking in with a whole group of random people. Just then a guy walks up and tells all of us to go in and pay or go away. We acted like we didn't speak spanish so he goes "Oh okay....well ya'll gotta get down and pay" He had a southern accent and everything. I was like "What the heck" He has toured on the PBC for over 10 years and just got back from a rodeo in Greensboro...random.
So we went in a paid and watched bull riding for about 45 minutes. It is definately the coolest thing I have ever seen. Us three girls were the only gringas there and we were hootin' and hollerin' like we didn't have any sense. I have mad respect for the riders. One guy got bucked off, flew about 20 feet in the air only to land, stand up and then get rammed in the butt by the bull, funny...but only because he got up and waved and was okay.
Anyway, I think this is something I definately want to see again when I get home, of course living in North Carolina I don't think that will be a problem.
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My friend Tracy from back home would be so proud of me. I went to my first Rodeo! It was awesome! I am definately now a fan. This last week Antigua celebrated Antigua Day. We've had a fair, bands playing in the central park, a rodea...the whole 9 yards.
So Sunday we all decided to go the the rodeo. I have never been, but I thought hell, why not...what's the chance of me going to a rodeo in Guatemala again...not very big. It's 3pm and it's pouring ran. Sabine looks at me and says "Melissa, there's no way I'm going to this thing in the rain." Only by an act of God does it stop raining and we're off.
We get down there and everyone chickens out except me, Stacey and Anne. We stood outside of the ring on a hill looking in with a whole group of random people. Just then a guy walks up and tells all of us to go in and pay or go away. We acted like we didn't speak spanish so he goes "Oh okay....well ya'll gotta get down and pay" He had a southern accent and everything. I was like "What the heck" He has toured on the PBC for over 10 years and just got back from a rodeo in Greensboro...random.
So we went in a paid and watched bull riding for about 45 minutes. It is definately the coolest thing I have ever seen. Us three girls were the only gringas there and we were hootin' and hollerin' like we didn't have any sense. I have mad respect for the riders. One guy got bucked off, flew about 20 feet in the air only to land, stand up and then get rammed in the butt by the bull, funny...but only because he got up and waved and was okay.
Anyway, I think this is something I definately want to see again when I get home, of course living in North Carolina I don't think that will be a problem.
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Saturday, July 24, 2004
Sauerkraut, Beenie Weenies and Mac and Cheese
My professor from the U.S. came down this week. He sent me an email last week asking me what I wanted him to bring me. So I asked for amoungst other things...a can of Sauerkraut, Beenie Weenies and some more Mac and Cheese. What a random mix of food but it is amazing what you get cravings for.
Now Sabine's friend is coming down and we've asked him to bring, Dr. Pepper, Reeces Pieces, Balsamic Vinagrete salad dressing and a bag of dove dark chocolate. Now if I can just get some buffalo wings I would be good.
On another note, I have found a favorite new band. I really like this band called Zoe and they sing a song called Love. I think they are from Argentina...I really have been watching a lot of MTV LA. I also like a singer call Ely Guerra...you guys should check these people out...awesome music
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My professor from the U.S. came down this week. He sent me an email last week asking me what I wanted him to bring me. So I asked for amoungst other things...a can of Sauerkraut, Beenie Weenies and some more Mac and Cheese. What a random mix of food but it is amazing what you get cravings for.
Now Sabine's friend is coming down and we've asked him to bring, Dr. Pepper, Reeces Pieces, Balsamic Vinagrete salad dressing and a bag of dove dark chocolate. Now if I can just get some buffalo wings I would be good.
On another note, I have found a favorite new band. I really like this band called Zoe and they sing a song called Love. I think they are from Argentina...I really have been watching a lot of MTV LA. I also like a singer call Ely Guerra...you guys should check these people out...awesome music
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Friday, July 09, 2004
A little bit of Lynard Skynard and Karaoke
I got to El Salvador on Friday and after 7 hours on a bus I was very happy to arrive...friday night was pretty tranquil and we really didn't do anything.
Saturday we went out with some of Claudia´s old coworkers from the school she taught at. We went to a restaurant that is very similar to Bahama Breeze as far as how the exterior looks. When we got there, there was a band playing. I didn't pay them much attention until they started singing Sweet Home Alabama (southern accents and all). I couldn't believe it. El Salvador is the last place I would have thought that I would hear some southern rock. They continued on with some Beatles, Rolling Stones, CCR, etc. It was absolutely hysterical because I was the only one in the entire place singing along.
Sunday we went to the beach. We went to a private beach called Balsamar. I absolutely love it there. After a few hours in the sun, lunch and a quick nap (an hour and a half in a hammock), I decided to go for a walk on the beach. I was walking when I saw a while flower face down in the sand. I picked it up only to find that it was a Plumeria flower. This is my favorite flower in the entire world. I walked along and probably picked up about 20 of them. Oh my gosh I was so thrilled...
Monday we spent the day shopping. We went to a store called Siman which is an awesome department store. I absolutely love it. Then Monday night one of Claudia's friends invited us over for dinner. We ate the best Sushi I have ever had (her family is of Japanese descent). We had just finished stuffing ourselves when she asked "Does anyone want to sing Karaoke". Random! So we spent the next two hours singing everything from ABBA to Shakira to 80's spanish rock. It was absolutely hysterical. (Mom, I did much better this time than we did in Hawaii.)
Tuesday, I spent researching grad schools and got ready to come back Wednesday. Overall it was a fabulous trip. I have decided that San Salvador is one of my favorite cities and I absolutely love it there.
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I got to El Salvador on Friday and after 7 hours on a bus I was very happy to arrive...friday night was pretty tranquil and we really didn't do anything.
Saturday we went out with some of Claudia´s old coworkers from the school she taught at. We went to a restaurant that is very similar to Bahama Breeze as far as how the exterior looks. When we got there, there was a band playing. I didn't pay them much attention until they started singing Sweet Home Alabama (southern accents and all). I couldn't believe it. El Salvador is the last place I would have thought that I would hear some southern rock. They continued on with some Beatles, Rolling Stones, CCR, etc. It was absolutely hysterical because I was the only one in the entire place singing along.
Sunday we went to the beach. We went to a private beach called Balsamar. I absolutely love it there. After a few hours in the sun, lunch and a quick nap (an hour and a half in a hammock), I decided to go for a walk on the beach. I was walking when I saw a while flower face down in the sand. I picked it up only to find that it was a Plumeria flower. This is my favorite flower in the entire world. I walked along and probably picked up about 20 of them. Oh my gosh I was so thrilled...
Monday we spent the day shopping. We went to a store called Siman which is an awesome department store. I absolutely love it. Then Monday night one of Claudia's friends invited us over for dinner. We ate the best Sushi I have ever had (her family is of Japanese descent). We had just finished stuffing ourselves when she asked "Does anyone want to sing Karaoke". Random! So we spent the next two hours singing everything from ABBA to Shakira to 80's spanish rock. It was absolutely hysterical. (Mom, I did much better this time than we did in Hawaii.)
Tuesday, I spent researching grad schools and got ready to come back Wednesday. Overall it was a fabulous trip. I have decided that San Salvador is one of my favorite cities and I absolutely love it there.
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Saturday, July 03, 2004
Back in El Salvador
I am so excited because I am now back in El Salvador for part of my vacation. I spent the first week studying for my GRE which I took on Thursday. It went okay, but I think I will end up taking it again in September.
I had to take my GRE in the city and so I found myself in a huge traffic predicament. It was funny because I had written before about how stupid some people are here when the cross the streets in the city. They have these 6 lane streets where everyone is driving at least 60mph. People would cross, get hit, the newspaper would come and take a picture of the dead body, but then in the background less than 20 feet away you would see a catwalk (pasarela). I always wondered what the heck was wrong with these people. Why didn't they just walk the extra 20 feet to cross on the catwalk. Well, I found myself at McDonalds before the test. When I walked out I started to cross this 6 lane road. I got across to the median and the traffic got really heavy all of a sudden. I am standing there and thinking, damn it, I'm going to get hit and have my stupid picture in the paper with the title "Camioneta atrapelló gringa en la capital" which translates to "Chicken bus runs over white girl in the capital". As I am standing there thinking this, I look and not 20 feet away is the stupid pasarela. Alls I could think about as I was playing real life frogger is that I am about as stupid as those other people that got hit. Needless to say I survived.
Yesterday, Max, Claudia and I left Antigua for San Salvador. After about 8 hours of traveling we arrived in San Salvador at 3:30. We ended up going to the grocery store yesterday evening to buy food for the next few days. I am thrilled because I got to eat canned peas for the first time in 6 months. These are my favorite veggie and they don't sell them in Antigua. I meant to share with everyone, but I think I ended up just about eating the entire can myself.
Today, we are going to chill around the city and then tomorrow we go to the beach. AHHHHH!!!!! I think I have sent most everyone the photos that I have put online from the last six months. I have over 300 pictures, so I may change them. The beach we go to is the one that is named PLAYA in my photos. It is the most beautiful beach I have seen in my life.
Will write more later...
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I am so excited because I am now back in El Salvador for part of my vacation. I spent the first week studying for my GRE which I took on Thursday. It went okay, but I think I will end up taking it again in September.
I had to take my GRE in the city and so I found myself in a huge traffic predicament. It was funny because I had written before about how stupid some people are here when the cross the streets in the city. They have these 6 lane streets where everyone is driving at least 60mph. People would cross, get hit, the newspaper would come and take a picture of the dead body, but then in the background less than 20 feet away you would see a catwalk (pasarela). I always wondered what the heck was wrong with these people. Why didn't they just walk the extra 20 feet to cross on the catwalk. Well, I found myself at McDonalds before the test. When I walked out I started to cross this 6 lane road. I got across to the median and the traffic got really heavy all of a sudden. I am standing there and thinking, damn it, I'm going to get hit and have my stupid picture in the paper with the title "Camioneta atrapelló gringa en la capital" which translates to "Chicken bus runs over white girl in the capital". As I am standing there thinking this, I look and not 20 feet away is the stupid pasarela. Alls I could think about as I was playing real life frogger is that I am about as stupid as those other people that got hit. Needless to say I survived.
Yesterday, Max, Claudia and I left Antigua for San Salvador. After about 8 hours of traveling we arrived in San Salvador at 3:30. We ended up going to the grocery store yesterday evening to buy food for the next few days. I am thrilled because I got to eat canned peas for the first time in 6 months. These are my favorite veggie and they don't sell them in Antigua. I meant to share with everyone, but I think I ended up just about eating the entire can myself.
Today, we are going to chill around the city and then tomorrow we go to the beach. AHHHHH!!!!! I think I have sent most everyone the photos that I have put online from the last six months. I have over 300 pictures, so I may change them. The beach we go to is the one that is named PLAYA in my photos. It is the most beautiful beach I have seen in my life.
Will write more later...
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