Tuesday, February 24, 2015

February 23, 2015

Dwaine
We had appointments with immigration in San Salvador because they had kept our papers to make sure all was correct before saying we were approved.  The appointment for Charlotte was at 10:30 and me at 11:00.  We left at 8:20 and picked us Cesar in front of his housing complex at 9:15 and arrived about 10:25 for our appointment. They called us both back together after all and almost as soon as we sat down the man said we need to pay.  We knew that meant all was well because the first time we went to immigration they had told us they would not take our money until they accepted our applications.  The man we worked with was really nice.  We joked about my large family and the color of my and Charlotte’s hair.  He finally settled on cana which is gray color.  It made for a good laugh.  We now have very nice driver license size cards with our pictures on them and all our information.  They are good for three months but they said to call back in 6 weeks because the year long ones would probably be ready.  After immigration we went to lunch and then to the other Walmart that we had not been to.  We have been wanting to get a table clock that alarms for our nightstand.  As Charlotte was looking at the groceries to see what she might find that is hard to find she said why don’t you look for a table clock.  I thought she said table cloth because Caleb and Della had to use two to completely cover the table and both have slits in the open ends. I brought three from across the store for her to look at.  “No, I don’t think I want cloth”.   I took those back and brought back the only vinyl one they had.  “Well, I guess that will be ok.  Did you find the clock?”  Well, after that I asked about a table clock but they did not have one.  It is amazing how well all has gone for the immigration and everything really.  Even the house, finding out that we at least had a month to move was tons better than it having sold before we got here and having no place to stay when we got here and the furniture having to be stored-which I guess would have to have been in someone’s garage.  We have so much to be thankful for.
Charlotte

We are deeply indebted to our children, Caleb and Della for forging the way on these papers.  Through their trial and error and difficulties, they were able to send us to a good lawyer that could accomplish the translations effectively and stay with us until the process was completed.  Caleb’s detailed record keeping helped us identify important documents and content.  This has been a tremendous blessing for our success.  On a lighter side, when you take an elevator ride in the states, there is a sign that tells you what to do in case of fire.  Signs here include what to do in case of fire or earthquake!  We haven’t experience one yet, but we anticipate this.  There were other things that were interesting on our return trip, we saw a sign for a ‘lava’ route.  Sure it was close to a volcano.  Then, we passed the volcano debris in the fields.  That was amazing to me.  El Salvador has over 20 volcanoes.  We returned to Santa Ana via a different route and we saw signs for the Pan American Highway.  Cesar explained that we were on the Pan American bypass.  Our usual route was the actual Pan American Highway, but we had no idea. One more interesting bit of information.  In one conversation, we talked about the size of El Salvador.  Dwaine looked it up and Alabama is 8 times the size of El Salvador in its entirety.  Well, that trip to San Salvador makes El Salvador seem 8 times the size of Alabama!


Volcano in San Salvador


Look closely at the blue sign.  
It is actually the Pan American Highway Bypass.


Scenery while driving.


Black volcano rock and ash along the road.

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