Two Weeks Left

I know. I know. I've been a horrible blogger recently. It's not for lack of wanting to say something as much as it has been a lack of something to say. Life moves along the same as it has for several weeks now. Mark and I are still struggling to get the information we need; let alone write our report. This was complicated by the recent week of vacation here in San Salvador.

This past week was the festival of the patron saint of San Salvador, which meant the city almost entirely shut down and emptied as everyone left for vacation. Ricardo was kind enough to share his first day of vacation with us by taking us to the Mayan ruins. The following Tuesday our friend and co-worker Gabby took us to Suchitoto. A lovely town a short drive from San Salvador and a strong-hold of the communist party. I swear I have never seen so much red in my life. Even the mayor's office was painted red and white. During the war the area was a strong-hold of the rebels and that loyalty continued once the FMLN became a political party. We didn't stay long because the day was oppressively hot but we did get to walk around the lovely (and very clean) town and enjoy a very nice lunch at a hotel that overlooks the lake. Besides these two outings, Mark and I stayed close to home and did work. I was actually content to stay home the majority of the time because I had the house to myself so my schedule was entirely my own and I got some much needed down time.

We will return to the office and our regular schedule tomorrow in the beginning of our final push to the end. In approximately 10 days Mark and I will need to complete our research and write our report. We will also have a final meeting with USAID to present the product of our time here.
Mark, ever longing for a beach is trying earnestly to find the means and time to make a final weekend trip to Honduras. I'm highly skeptical that the timing and logistics will work out but I've wished him luck.

Exactly 14 days from now I will finally be comfortably back in my own apartment and I can't wait. My mom and sister should be in town and I'm looking forward to seeing them. I also miss my cat something terrible. At least he doesn't charge me from dark corners in an attempt to make my heart jump out of my chest (long story, suffice it to say the dog of the house and I are not on speaking terms at the moment). I also have plans for more of my family and a friend or two visiting DC in the months after I get back. These weeks can't possibly go fast enough.