One of the difficulties I had not anticipated when we decided to move here, was that it would be difficult to venture too far out of the secure bubble of Escuela Americana. We live on the campus, and have about a five minute walk to work. Nearby stores are easily walkable, and friends with cars help with occasional trips to buy heavy things that come in bottles or cans. And then there is Jose, a taxi driver with excellent English.
Consider that we traveled Lebanon literally from top to bottom, driving close enough to the Israeli border in the south to see the neat rows of settlements on the other side (in contrast to the organic growth of Lebanese villages). And up north, crossing in to Syria on the way to Homs. Traveling east through the Bekaa to Damascus was a routine trip. In Beirut, I walked (and jogged) miles, through neighborhoods and districts. When Carol discovered the bus routes, a whole new adventure began!
When I remember Lebanon, I tend to forget that it took several years to build up the sense of confidence that allowed us to travel so widely. School has taken us on some bus trips as have friends with cars. But independent out and about exploring has been tricky.
Some of it has to do with how fearful some Salvadoran friends are of traveling. I mentioned that I wanted to take a bus to nearby Santa Tekla's market, and a local friend leaned in close and quietly said "No you don't." Another friend offered to watch me as I walked half a block down to a store to buy cat litter. A lot of Salvadorans live in their own bubble, so I won't be too hard on myself for difficulty.
The weather is getting better, the rain is almost over, and that will make going places easier. More photos here soon, although I have been posting more on Flickr; you can see them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13968680@N07/
Time for lunch!
Consider that we traveled Lebanon literally from top to bottom, driving close enough to the Israeli border in the south to see the neat rows of settlements on the other side (in contrast to the organic growth of Lebanese villages). And up north, crossing in to Syria on the way to Homs. Traveling east through the Bekaa to Damascus was a routine trip. In Beirut, I walked (and jogged) miles, through neighborhoods and districts. When Carol discovered the bus routes, a whole new adventure began!
When I remember Lebanon, I tend to forget that it took several years to build up the sense of confidence that allowed us to travel so widely. School has taken us on some bus trips as have friends with cars. But independent out and about exploring has been tricky.
Some of it has to do with how fearful some Salvadoran friends are of traveling. I mentioned that I wanted to take a bus to nearby Santa Tekla's market, and a local friend leaned in close and quietly said "No you don't." Another friend offered to watch me as I walked half a block down to a store to buy cat litter. A lot of Salvadorans live in their own bubble, so I won't be too hard on myself for difficulty.
The weather is getting better, the rain is almost over, and that will make going places easier. More photos here soon, although I have been posting more on Flickr; you can see them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13968680@N07/
Time for lunch!
