Friends ❤️

At the sheer chance there is anyone who actually follows this blog - you might get sick of my ramblings on the same content ... but as much as this isn’t the first time I write of this nature, it most definitely wont be the last.


Today was by far my hardest goodbye yet. As I said my goodbyes and gave this family big hugs my eyes filled with tears I couldn’t hold back. I had my first couch surfing experience and while I had no real idea what to expect I imagine this exceeded any possible expectation on every level. This family took me, a complete stranger, into their home, for nothing - no cost ... with wide open arms ... not only did they give me an insanely comfortable bed to sleep in - they fed me - and showed me raw, genuine love. They literally treated me as if I was family from the moment I stepped foot inside their home. Saul’s mom, Lupe, welcomes me with the biggest smile and open arms, instantly had me get comfortable, gave me coffee and introduced me to two El Salvadorian sweet treats. They wouldn’t even take no for an answer when it came to food, it was just assumed I would join them at all meal times- so very generous !! They even invited me to a family birthday party.
I had the experience of going to Saul’s English class, meeting his students, sitting with them, having conversation to know each other, enjoying their enthusiasm for learning a new language!
His dad shared his collection of coins from all over the world with me, excitedly.
His sister shared her room with me, walked me to Saul’s school, and was constantly all smiles.
Saul played guitar one night and sang, sharing with me his beautiful hidden talent!!! Also, another night we sat there and he introduced me to tons of amazing music for all over Latin America.
I truly enjoyed my time just sitting with his mom at the table sipping coffee and eating treats, communicating the best we could with what little we both knew of each other’s language - but thanks to google translator we made do- it’s amazing what body language, a smile and context can do!
I’m truly grateful to have had this experience. It was nothing like I was expecting and so much more. Juayua is a simple town - not too much going on there - but spending time with this family filled my heart and gave me more then any restaurant, cafe, or waterfall could have given. I feel truly blessed...
El Salvador has been filled with nothing but genuine kind, generous, real people who make effort to know me, to be a friend, to help me, to share with me, to teach me, to spend time with me and to welcome me into their home and life. I’m sad for anyone who skips this country because of crap they hear in the media... they are truly missing out.