Where's the bus?

Increasing food prices, bus strike, elections and the pope visiting the U.S. That's what's on the front pages of the newspapers in El Salvador at the moment. What's on the front page of my life?

I arrived here two days ago, but as they always say; it feels like so much longer. I guess the reason I already feel like home in this country is not only because it's my second visit, but mostly thanks to the genuine kindness of all people I've met so far. I guess you've heard that one before. Our own people are cold and boring, people far away are warm and welcoming. Sometimes it might not be true, but in the case of El Salvador it is definitely the case. I believe that being a stranger here is much easier than being a stranger in many other parts of the world. Right now, I don't care about non-existing bus schedules, dirty streets or the threat of armed robbery. What matters are the conversations I have, the knowledge I gain from each moment, the creativity and the political counsciousness of the people. The fields are unbelievably green. The waves are both tempting and intimidating. The vulcanos are asleep. I go for the principle "The more smiles you give, the more smiles you get". I try to listen carefully, I try to learn before I act. I'm a pupil in this country, I'm asking, observing and I want to understand. It's sometimes a tiring role. But it's a role everyone in the world should try, especially those of us who think we know it all.

So that's the news in my life. What about the newspaper news?

Rapidly increasing food prices is a serious problem in El Salvador, and probably the single issue concerning people the most. The currency used is the dollar, and when the US is going down, El Salvador goes down with it. In fact, not only food but all kinds of goods and services are more expensive by the day. Increasing fuel prices have resulted in more expensive bus tickets, a disaster for common people who are dependent on buses to get to their jobs. For a person earning minimum salary (about 160 dollars/month), about 26 percent is now spent on public transport! This situation has resulted in some bus companies (there are a lot of them in every city) all around the country simply taking their buses out of service, while others increase the ticket price even more. Some more chaos in an already chaotic public transport system...

Elections are held every fifth year in El Salvador. The next ones will not happen until early next year, and according to law, campaigning is not allowed as early as 9 months before elections. However, more or less discrete, the game has already begun. According to the newspapers, the ruling right-wing party ARENA is loosing support. Almost 38 percent says that they would vote for Mauricio Funes, presidential candidate for the left-wing party FMLN, if the elections were today. 27 percent says they would vote for the ARENA candidate Rodrigo Ávila. Part of the explanation might be that Mauricio Funes, who worked as a journalist for many years and quite recently got formally involved in politics, is a very popular person with a reputation of being transparent and honest. Also, ARENA elected their candidate very late, which might also be a disadvantage. Well, the least one can say is that a lot can and will happen until the actual elections next year.

And lastly: El Salvador is a catholic country, no doubt… The pope’s visit to America is a big thing in the newspapers, and one article proudly declares that a Salvadorian boy assisted in the welcoming ceremony. Remember that 2 millions out of 10 millions Salvadorians live in the U.S., so no wonder that big news there are big news here.


In my opinion…
…the two men who just recently raped a 1 year old baby should be sent to the Rapist Planet and there rape each other and other rapists the rest of their lives.
…there should be more organizations like Asociación Barra de Santiago.
…traditional Salvadorian breakfast is just lovely!