We Finally Arrived: A New Beginning with a Side of Reality

We finally arrived! After one missed flight and a gruelling 17 hours of travel, we made it to El Salvador. I was up for what felt like an eternity—56 hours straight—before I finally succumbed to sleep. As we stood in the airport, Eduardo and I kept exchanging glances, each of us muttering, “Holy shit. Are we doing this? We are doing this.” It was surreal, exciting, and just a little terrifying all at once.

However, within just two days of landing, I was hit with a massive sinus infection—of course I was. Karie once told me, "You're not just a lemon, or a lemon tree...you are a damn lemon orchard! Lots of lemons makes for bottomless gin lemonade!   For the next six days, I was sidelined and unable to focus on our growing to-do list: meet with contractors, carpenters, electricians, and of course, connect with our amazing new landlord. I needed to get a bank account, start the paperwork for my PR status, and set up cell phone numbers. The list seemed never-ending.

As I tackled these tasks, I was also hit with waves of doubt. I realized much of that anxiety stemmed from missing my people back home. I struggled to work up the nerve to FaceTime my daughter and the boys. A part of me was terrified that if I saw their faces or heard their voices, I might break down and immediately want to hop on the next flight back to Canada. I have yet to make that call...but I will. 

Adapting to life here has been both humbling and enlightening. The cultural differences are apparent everywhere, especially in the pace of life. Time is a fluid concept in El Salvador. When someone says they’re "on their way" and should arrive by 5 PM, it could actually mean 9 PM... or even three days later! I’ve come to realize that my understanding of deadlines feels like a farce in this new environment—deadlines simply do not exist here.

It’s actually quite refreshing, in many ways, to slow down. I’m learning to appreciate living in the moment, not constantly rushing from one task to the next. The unpredictability of the weather here mirrors this new approach perfectly—one moment it can be pouring rain, and the next, the sun is shining brilliantly. It serves as a reminder that life is full of surprises, and that there’s beauty in both the storms and the sunshine.

Above all, I want to highlight the incredible amount of support we’ve received since our arrival in El Salvador. From our nephew Guayito and his friends to Mama Lilli and even total strangers, the warmth and acceptance here have truly overwhelmed me. It’s heartening to feel surrounded by love and kindness, turning what could have been a daunting transition into a hopeful adventure.

Though the path ahead may still be filled with uncertainties—my health, adapting to a new culture, and the pangs of homesickness—I am determined to embrace this journey. Each day brings new opportunities, new connections, and a deeper understanding of what it means to build a life in El Salvador. Here’s to the next chapter and all the adventures yet to come!