Personal Narrative: My Visit To El Salvador

Did you know there are seven species of sea turtle in the world? Four of which make home on the Salvadoran coast. Throughout my 19 years of living I have encountered a handful of learning experiences. The most significant was when I went to visit my parent's motherland, El Salvador. For those who don't know El Salvador is a small, in fact, the smallest country in Central America. My experience there changed my perspective about life. El Salvador is filled with gang violence and poverty. Making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Yet, is also filled with amazing views, delicious foods and beautiful people. In my visit I witnessed how hard the people work for how little they get paid, the struggle of living there, and how little you need to be happy.

The main reason my family and I went to El Salvador was to visit relatives we hadn’t seen in years. Therefore, we stayed at my grandmother’s house located in San

Rafael Cedros. From there we would use my grandma's car to travel to different places and different family member’s houses. From all the places we traveled to San Salvador (capital), was was closest to home (Springfield). San Salvador had paved roads, shopping centers, restaurants, buildings, etc. Much different than where my Grandma lived. Some of the residents have an actual job while some don't. By that I mean, they work as a teacher, doctor, hair stylist, etc. Plus, there is no such thing as hourly pay. My grandparents cultivate all kinds of a fruits, vegetables and beans. Then exchanges them for other goods, i.e. meat. That's how my grandparents survive as well as most of the town. My aunt who is a nurse, gets $10 a day for 8–12 hours of work! This really made me realize how important it is to have rights and the power to change them if they are horrible. 
Living in El Salvador is a big struggle.

To begin with, pay is crap and things are rather pricey. Every day you are being harassed by local gangs to pay a fee or else you die. Gangs kill anybody they want including the police, they are ruthless. Having to pay a fee while getting one or two dollars a day and still have enough to feed your family is beyond being. I have a half brother who is a professor in San Salvador, and he told me that his own students threatened him in order for him to give them a passing grade or else he is a dead man. No one is safe and quite frankly, there is nothing one can do about it. They (gangs) know where you live, your family, and your every day routine. There is no escaping this nonsense if you are living in El Salvador. Thank God I never encountered a gang member during my visit albeit, the brutality wasn't as bad as it is today. This made me realize that I wanted to become a police officer to protect people. As well as, how we need to help stop violent behavior not only in El Salvador, but around the

world. 
Happiness is different for everyone. For me, it is a pair of new shoes. For others who may be food or new phone. During my vacation kids were happy with a piece of candy. Point being, happiness is important in life and we should be happy every day. Happiness is hard to find in a country filled with poverty and gang violence. Yet, everyone I met was happy. Happiness doesn't half to be materialistic. Throughout my vacation, I met different people who were struggling in life. Yet had a big smile and we're happy to be alive. That was the most amazing experience. I have learned to be happy with what I have. To look around me and appreciate what I have before you complain that I didn't get the new retro. 
El Salvador is a beautiful country with amazing scenery. From the ocean, to the lakes, to active volcanoes. El Salvador has issues but so does every other country. If you look past gang violence and scarceness, you'll find one of the most amazing countries in the world. El Salvador taught me to be grateful and appreciate what I have. In my visit I witnessed how hard the people work for how little they get paid, the struggle of living there, and how little you need to be content. I hope one-day gang violence and poverty be nonexistent in the world. With that, more people would visit El Salvador and and see what they were missing. This trip was and might be the most significant learning experience in my life.