There are a few things that learning now will make your transition to El Salvador much easier. Some fun things that most of us learn over time, but we want to share with you now. They range from customs, traditions, transportation, and some unbelievable sights that you can only find in El Salvador. The Salvadoran people are wonderful, and they have a lot to offer, so learn from them before you are quick to criticize their customs. At some point, you may even realize they make sense!

Don Adán's Guide to Healthy Living in El Salvador

Caliche, the real Spanish

¡Me gusta sopa de pata! and other Salvadoran delicacies

Peeding ride and other miscellaneous tidbits.

packing list

meet your mission president

the real scoop on El Salvador

*peeding ride. You must wonder what that is. Getting around El Salvador can be fun, but sometimes difficult. In some areas public transportation is slow and often unreliable, but don't worry Elder, there is almost always someone willing to give you a lift. The term "peed" comes from the gringization of the spanish word "pedir" which means "to ask for". So need to get somewhere, just peed ride!

*people are very interested in being polite and shaking hands. Often if their hands are dirty or wet, they will offer their wrist, arm, or elbow for you to shake. Just grab it and shake with a hearty "Buenos Días".

*There is a strong evangelist movement in El Salvador. You can easily recognize evangelist women by the cloth they wear on their heads. The women believe it is imperative to have their head covered at all times. This is especially true in the more rural areas and amongst the poorer congregations. There are wealthy evangelists within the cities, however, they do not adhere to the same strict policies regarding wearing head covers, no make-up, no pants and long hair that the women in the outer regions maintain.

*the temperature and weather in El Salvador rarely vary. It is a constant 75-85 degrees year round depending on where you are at (hotter along the coast and cooler in the mountains). Rainy season begins around May and lasts through October. During the rainy season expect heavy duty storms every day in the late afternoons. It usually does not rain for long, but will dump a heavy load in just a few minutes. During the dry season (November through April) it rarely rains. Hot months are March and April.

*most members of the church are very new. Many of the local leaders, including bishops, have been members less than five years. Because of this, there is a great need for the members to continue their education in the gospel. You will definitely find that the church does not run in El Salvador like it runs in the United States, but the gospel is the same, and the Spirit is always the same.

*get used to walking. Over the course of your mission you will walk hundreds of miles. No bikes, no cars, just your feet and the public transportation.

*always carry a water bottle with you and have it full when you leave. You will need it throughout the day, and it makes a great excuse for not accepting drinks from your hosts (because they are most likely not made from purified water). Just let them know you carry water with you and thank them for the offer.

*The mission is small. The farthest areas from the mission office, Tacuba, is still only about three and a half hours away by bus and less by car.

*no luck peeding ride? Public transportation can be a real adventure. Evidently the only qualification to drive a bus in El Salvador is two arms, two legs and eyes (eyes are optional). It is preferable if you also have a history of insanity, extreme rage, impatience, and suicidal tendencies. Well, it's not all that bad, but the busses can go fast, drive recklessly, and keep you on the edge of your seat. Fortunately, you often don't notice as you talk to the people around you. There are no seating capacities on busses and the drivers will pack them to the point that people are literally hanging out the doors. You can board the busses from the front or the back emergency exit. Don't be fooled by those colorful paint jobs. 99% of the public bus fleet in El Salvador are simply retired yellow school busses from the USA.

*dreams and visions are widely accepted within much of the Salvadoran culture. For this reason, when you teach about Joseph Smith and the First Vision, you will rarely encounter someone who doubts the truthfulness of it. The challenges come when you bring up the Book of Mormon.

*almost all food that is cooked is fried. There are definitely variations on this such as soups, tortillas, pastas, but for the most part, you'll get used to fried food. However, you will find that the majority of the gringos end up loosing weight on their missions while the latins tend to gain weight. Can't figure out why this is, but it happens.

*much of the work done in El Salvador is based on manual labor, and the people work very hard. Women can carry a hundred pounds or more on their heads and men can carry the same on their shoulders. It is a very work oriented society, and the people are humble and often poor because of the lack of technologically refined employment and educational opportunities.

*lunch is the big meal of the day. Breakfast and dinner often include beans, rice, eggs, cheese, breads, pupusas, and such. Lunch will usually consist of some sort of meat or fried dish with rice, some vegetables, tortillas and a drink.

*days begin and end early in El Salvador. Unlike some other cultures in Latin America, the Salvadorans arise very early in the morning and begin working. They do not stay up to the wee hours of the night and are usually winding down by 9:00 p.m. The traditional "siesta" is not widely observed in El Salvador, and is more observed by men than by women.