Project El Salvador: Transition to Democracy

It's crazy to think that we've been back in the States for over a week!

As I sift through pictures and have conversations with people who hadn't thought much about El Salvador until I went there, I can't help but drift into memories of the last month. Doesn't it all feel like a dream, now?

My parting lesson from El Salvador is a reaffirmation that the world, simply put, is so cool.

Traveling, always, is such an eye opening experience for me, and Project El Salvador was no different. Just one year ago, I returned from my first experience abroad -- studying in Cork, Ireland. Since that time, I have had such a thirst for worldly adventures, and El Salvador did well to quench that thirst. For both experiences, I have strong attachments, affections, and perspectives; but, the depth of those attachments and my feelings in leaving.

When I left Cork, I was ready; I was the last of my friends still in the city when I left, and the feeling of being alone really made me want to come home. Leaving San Salvador was a completely different experience -- mainly because I was not alone, and I wasn't leaving a place that felt empty. As a group, we were leaving a lot behind. Stepping on that plane was physically easy, but how easy was it in other ways?

Between my time in Ireland and El Salvador, and all of the places I've been inbetween, I have met some remarkable people. Still, the people of ES and the Project have my heart. I can't think of a singular telling experience or momentous anecdote, but I now that the intensity of everything in Central American in just four short weeks has a stronger hold on me in this moment than most anything else. The experience has made such an indelible impression on my heart that I cannot leave it behind as easily as stepping on that plane made it seem.

Alyssa and I met for coffee on Christmas Eve to share in our re-entry experiences, a process which has caught us somewhat off-guard. I think I'm finally on track again, but there were a few days of struggle to reconcile my experience abroad and my life at home. Sitting down in a safe setting with a fellow traveler was refreshing and supportive; and the conversations I have had with others since returning have also been of great help.

I'm very eager to welcome the new year -- to reunite with the entire group and look forward to new adventures. Leaving ES was certainly not my last trip to Central America, and will not be the end of my travels abroad.

The world is so cool because of the possibility for more adventures and the way it can bring together so many people. ES reaffirmed one other thing for me, in that regard: I love seeing the world because the travel forces me into profound corners, where my identities are questioned, my privileges challenged, my emotions are made vulnerable and my friendships put to greater tests. What's more is that all of this combines to increase my knowlegde and remind me that there is so much more to learn.

Thanks for reading yet another of my long blog posts. I hope it was worth it. If not -- I do hope you enjoy two videos of our fantastic dance performances to Douglas' favorite song.

The complete collection of my photos, too, are posted here (and you will get CDs in January!)...

~eMe Jota

PS The videos are on a group YouTube account. Our username is: projectelsalvador08 with the same password as our group Picasa account;-)