Today was probably the toughest day on our emotions so far. We started the day off at 7 o´clock AM with eggs and plantain. By 8 o´clock we were on our way to the coffee co-op in Cuidad Arce (Suei-dad Ar-say). Pro-ex Café Siglo XXI was not what we expected. When we arrived we were divided into two groups. Group 1 started off with a look at the coffee bean roasting process. Ricardo gave us an in-depth tour of the equipment and then we were allowed to actually roast beans. While the roaster was heating up we were taken on a tour of the permanent residences of the co-op workers. We learned that there were 7 families living at the co-op permanently and another 100 workers that stayed temporarily during pickup season (pickup season was already over). The workers also raise chickens. Some are to eat while others (the lucky ones) are raised to lay eggs (and then be eaten). We returned to the roaster to see that our beans were roasted to perfection (it takes approximately 20 minutes for 12 pounds to roast). Then we grinded the beans into coffee powder and then sealed it and took it home for our enjoyment. While group 1 was roasting beans, group 2 was given the grand tour of the storage warehouse. They were shown how the beans were sorted, packaged and stacked. They were also given the chance to actually sort through the beans like the workers (who were women). Then we switched so every body became experts on coffee and coffee production. We also donated t-shirts, work-gloves and toothbrushes to the workers. It was an experience that won´t soon be forgotten.

By the time we were finished at the co-op we were hot and hungry. What better way to ´´kill two birds with one stone´´ than to go to Pizza Hut for a quick lunch. And by quick I mean long enough to cool off and have a few laughs, and eat of course!

From Pizza Hut we went to Ahijadas en Hogar de Ninas de Chalchuapa (adi-had-as en ho-gar de nin-yas de chal-chupa), the girls orphanage in Santa Ana. A warm welcome was waiting for us. After meeting the girls that were already being sponsored by District 7040, the girls put on a performance for us and then they taught us how to dance. The hardest part of the day was saying good-bye. Seeing those girls, roughly knowing their past and then thinking of how much we have at home was enough to bring tears to our eyes and a lump of emotion to our throats (don´t worry, none of us choked). Even though we were only there for an hour and even though we knew we would be going back Friday, we all wanted to just pick the girls up and take them home with us. After four days this country and its people have found a permanent place in our hearts. We all knew we would go home different people but I don´t think we were planning on falling in love with El Salvador.

When we were finally ushered out of the orphanage by a frustrated Legia (who said we were late… again), we were surprised with a short trip to Lago de Coatepeque (la-go de quat-a-pe-quey), a volcanic lake. The view was incredible! A real breathtaker, like the ones you see in the movies. Real life is so much more beautiful than Hollywood-ized scenery.

From the lake we went straight to Arabe Salvadoreño (arab Salvador-en-yo) for a quick swim, then supper and then we attended the Interact meeting for the club of San Salvador Cuscatlán.

We met lots of amazing people, learned about coffee (today was a learning day), and fell in love with this wonderful country.

Amor para todos (love from everyone)

Room 2

Katie, Jillian and Jess (Lily)