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El Salvador

June 19, 2000 I boarded a plane and headed to El Salvador after spending 2 months at the Missionary Training Center learning Spanish and how to be a missionary. It was a crazy adventure and helped shape me into the person I am today. While in El Salvador there were 2 earthquakes (7.6 & 6.6 magnitude plus all of the aftershocks), rumors of starting another war, 9/11 happened, and all the other crazy things that happen when you live in a 3rd world country.

Aftermath of the January 13, 2001 earthquake

When I left the country on October 11, 2001 I didn’t really have any plans to ever return. Then we traveled to Matt’s mission in France and that was fun to see his areas and the people he taught. I kind of wanted to return to my mission, but it had to be for a good reason. When the prophet announced that a temple would be built there…that was the reason to return. I got in contact with a couple of my mission companions and we made the return trip happen. And of course there were many adventures.

135 operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Flor de Izote is the national flower of El Salvador and is seen in the decor throughout the temple

Youth Cultural Celebration

After 10 years it was nice to see that the country has made some progress. They now have a beautiful temple of the Lord in their own country. But, there were things that were also still the same…the food, people riding on the back of cars, animals on the side of the roads, beggars, friendliness of the people, etc.

Fit as many people you can, however you can is the rule in El Salvador

Salvador del Mundo is still there...drove around it a few times

Koloshanpan...the flavor of El Salvador

FAB...the laundry detergent we used as missionaries

We ate at this McDonalds every Monday before we did our shopping...It was called Hiper Pais, but Walmart took it over 3 months ago

El Salvadorean enchalada

Typical breakfast...eggs, beans and tortillas

PUPUSAS ... so yummy!

The roads aren't well kept...I drove around that big crack

I had a bad day driving...left the headlights on, needed to ask for a jump in Spanish, something needed to be replaced around the battery and the windshield wipers started to go off.

It was a great adventure and I am so happy that I was able to return to my mission with my mission companions. And if anyone wants to go to El Salvador (don’t know why you would unless you served a mission there and want to go back now) you should stay at the Hotel La Posada del Rey Primero. Super friendly staff, clean, near the city and temple and close to a yummy/inexpensive restaurant called Tipico Margoth.

A couple of the staff members "Here to serve us"

More photos of El Salvador

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  1. August 26th, 2011 at 10:03 | #1

    I am so jealous! We wanted to go so badly, but it didn’t work out. Thanks for posting those pictures, they bring back so many memories.

  2. Sarah Jensen
    August 26th, 2011 at 11:42 | #2

    my sisters boyfriend is from El Salvador and he likes to bring us Pupusas. They are so yummy!

  3. August 26th, 2011 at 13:22 | #3

    Love it! Wish I was there with you gals!

  4. Jennifer Duffey
    August 26th, 2011 at 13:54 | #4

    Wow we were serving our missions during the same time. I entered the MTC on March 1st, 2000. How exciting to go back! Did you get to visit the new temple? I would LOVE to go back to my mission (Ecuador)–maybe someday. So glad you got to go and thanks for posting. Brings back memories of my mission companion–she was from El Salvador. Great pictures!

  5. Naomi
    August 26th, 2011 at 23:58 | #5

    You and Matt don’t stay still for long. I can still remember your dad not being too happy about where his little girl was going on her mission. I am glad you got to go back for such an exciting event.

  6. August 27th, 2011 at 01:36 | #6

    How fun! I would love to go back to my mission!

  7. Diana
    August 29th, 2011 at 16:54 | #7

    THat’s awesome Tia. Loved the pictures. So funny about people riding in the back of the truck, well I used to see it all the time in Ecuador. Glad you had such a wonderful time there. Now if you, Matt and the kids are planning on another trip, we should plan visiting Ecuador together!!!!
    P.S love pupusas

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