A Long Journey to El Salvador
Posted on 19 April 2010
For most of the STIMMA team, we left our respective homes at 4am. there were mild flurries, but that did not phase us because we knew that soon enough we would be enjoying 40C weather. We, suprisingly, did not encounter any issues at the airport in Toronto. San Salvador was another issue.
We managed to collect all of our bags and headed towards customs. The three pharmacy girls went first. The official, in Spanish, asked about our blue STIMMA shirts. I explained who we were and he asked if he coule have a shirt. Well, unfortunately, I had not one more shirt to spare! I communicated that to him in Spanish, but he did not like that response.
What proceeded next was that for the couple of hours, each and every one of our bags were stripped searched. The bags were not just searched, but they removed products, opened boxes and questioned EVERY SINGLE item in our 42 hockey bags.
We carried all of our required permits, which, apparently, were not good enough. They wanted to keep back ALL of our medications, including multivitamins, AND reading glasses!! We made so many phone calls trying to get through to officials on a Saturday.
Finally, they said if we paid taxes on the glasses they would allow us to take everything; otherwise, the other option was returning to San Salvador on Monday to get all the documentation he wanted (which we already had given anyways). At the end, we bit the bullet and said we would pay. So, $425 USD later, we left the airport. I still echo that even if I had given him a blue shirt we still would have been searched!!!!
Since we had lost precious time already, we picked up some food and ate on the bus. The newcomers received a session on Salvadorean history and were provided with insight into the culture.
The long, bumpy ride was stopped about halfway through as an injured snake crossed our path. Everyone, of course, had to get out and take a picture. Myself, however, I was not a part of that. I curled up n the fetal position as far away as possible from the snake. I remember when we were in Peru a water snake crossed our path as we headed to the Lodge. We were told it was a sign of good luck. I hope that is the case for us and we have already overcome any of the obstacles in our way to provide aide. We all settled in Arcatao at 10:30pm. People slept well.
The following day, we went to Church where the community welcomed us. It was like coming home. There were so many familiar faces that we saw. People that we had helped on previous trips, and many that have helped us. The officials did a great job organizing the surrounding communities to bring some sort of order to the whole process. It seems like we are going to be pretty busy from 8am to 5pm everyday.
So all in all, we all arrived here safely and we are getting to know the community. It is hotter than expected. We were told it may even reach 53 with the humidity!! We are looking forward to the next few days to start to greet the people and see old friends again!!
1 Response to A Long Journey to El Salvador
Hi Steph,
we just wanted to let you know how proud we are you and the
the journey you have taken! We love you and send thanks to all your team! Come home safe!
Love
Snez and Uncle Victor
XXXX