my care2
make a difference

community

shares

share your passions, stories, inspirations, and more

    
Showing Type:
Tag Filter: no filter
Donald's Tags: peer   vacations   or   nicaragua   expedintial   independent   surfing   more»
Subscribe to Donald's public shares
Message: California Dreaming - If You're Moving to San Francisco  

San Francisco was a beautiful city when I lived there so many years ago, as did my friend who authored the post below on a user group, for many years in days gone by, when life was simpler.

Read the paragraphs written below..then... I ask..is this Freedom?

Not for me, at my age, a sincere recovering alcoholic with a disability. I am able to get along with just about anyone regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, sexual preference, religious belief or lack of it, etc. My many years in 'recovery rooms' f2f and online have taught me to have patience with others, respect differences and love and take care of myself.

At least I had the common sense to relocate out of the US many years ago

Sadly, I am a city boy who thrives living in a cosmopolitan urban enviroment...however when a person of my age cannot walk down the street nor express his or her opinions if a bit 'contrary' to popular opinion, whatever that may be, then I shall stay put, since I am divorced and have no mate, nor children, moving to a small town in the US just would not resonate with me.

But this..and New Orleans, well you know..below sea level and New York and Boston way beyond my budget

I shall happily stay where I am.....for the time being!

About the "freaks and anarchists"

 

California Dreaming If you're going to San Francisco Wed Sep 3, 2008 8:57 am (PDT)
"She ain't what she used to be, that old gray mare... Of course some will disagree. (Insert disclaimer here) I'm told by someone who should know that San Fransisco is no longer the home of the beautiful people. Rumor has it they all left with you and me, many long years ago.   I'm now in the big sand box they call the Mojave desert, about 450 miles South East of San Fransisco, 3 hours west of Las Vegas, which appears to be a 'safe distance', though I do still live perilously close to the San Andreas Fault.  Out here the rattlesnakes slither on their bellies and the coyotes run around on 4 legs instead of 2. You know who they are by looking at them.

I have a daughter-in- law who loved the city with all she had. She was raised by a Mom who was one of the early hippies. This girl is sooo refreshing.. she still wears tie-died t-shirts, and made me one for Christmas.  I wear it with pride! 

My daughter-in- law thought she was going 'home' when the Coast Guard stationed my son outside of San Fransisco a few years ago, and she looked forward to introducing her three little girls to the city, as her mother had done for her. Her fond memories of San Fransisco helped to keep her Mother alive in her mind, since her Mom died of bone cancer when my daughter in law was only 14.  What she came "home" to was not California dreamin, but a Hotel California-style nightmare gone horribly awry.  Within a month, they moved to an area outside the city and my son spent their time there as a commuter. There were things they  just didn't want their children to see.

They tell me there are no public decency laws being enforced in San Fransisco today. Sex on the sidewalks is A-OK.  If someone dares to protest what anyone does on the streets, they might have their home vandalized or be physically attacked as police look on. There are news stories of ministers who have had their homes burned down in the middle of the night. It's a bad thing when someone torches your house during the day while you're at work.  When they burn your house down in the middle of the night? They intended to kill you, plain and simple. Some say the police are afraid, while others say they just don't care. I don't know.

Last time I drove in the city, (10 years ago), I found my minivan being slowed and blocked by
bicyclists who virtually ignored (or maybe enjoyed) the fact that they
were causing traffic to slow to 5 mph, and I would have sworn they were daring me to honk at them or hit them. They say "share the road".  They need to practice what they preach.

A couple years ago, I heard on the news that there was a case where a man was driving his new SUV in town, and a bicyclist cut him off, nearly getting hit.  The driver honked  at the bicyclist,and was immediately swarmed by a bunch of guys on bicycles who proceeded to trash the brand new SUV, drag the man out of it, and beat him severely, requiring hospitalization. Security cameras caught the incident on tape.  There were no arrests made.  

The freaks reportedly own the city these days and from what I hear they're closing schools right and left because families are fleeing the area in droves.  My son and daughter in law were recently transferred to Alaska, where they hope to convince the Coast Guard to keep him for the duration of his career, which will be at least another 11 years.

Of course, that's just the opinion of someone who lived there.  I'm sure there will be others who's opinions conflict.  I'm just repeating what I was told, and what I believe to be the case, from other reports that seem to confirm them.  I don't care to go find out for myself. If my trusted sources are correct, it's a sad, sad thing. 

There's nothing to draw me to the formerly great city anymore. I'll gladly travel to Alaska to see my grandchildren.  I've walked the bridge and explored the fort beneath it.  I've seen the sights, and loved them, and have memories that I will not soil by returning to see it as a shadow of it's former self...."

 
Posted: Sep 3, 2008 12:13pm | comment (0) | discuss (0) | permalink
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: living   francisco   in   public   safety   san   schools  
Blog: How Stupid We Have Become....  
This just goes to show how stupid we have become.


(I was in the 6th Grade in 1957)

 

 

Scenario:
Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1957
- Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2007
- School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to
jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for
traumatized students and teachers.  

Scenario:
 Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957
- Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.
 

Scenario:
 Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957
- Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.
 

Scenario:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping w ith his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse.  Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang.  State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison.  Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.
 

Scenario:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.
2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.  

Scenario:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.
2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher.   English banned from core curriculum.  Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he canno t speak English.  

Scenario:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.
2007- BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with  domestic te rrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary.  Mary hugs him to comfort him.
19 57 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison.  Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy. 

  


 
Posted: Jul 7, 2008 2:08pm | comment (0) | discuss (0) | permalink
Visibility: Everyone
Tags:   
Message: The possible Scam regarding the uncontacted Amazon Tribe  

Below is a posting from a travel newsletter "Andy Hobo Traveler" www.hobotraveler.com, I've found andy to be very honest in all his dealings with people.

Any feedback, please enter the hobotraveler.com site and contact Andy.

I the bearer of this news am a long term US Citizen resident of Central America and I and some other residents and locals, with some notable exceptions, have long been fed up with "NGOs" ONGs that pay big salaries and frills to staff, while the needy often receive very little and international volunteers often pay over $1,000 to "volunteer" for two or three weeks.



NGO Faked Uncontacted Tribe Photos
A headline in the Newspaper Ahora here in Peru, says,

Supuesta no contactados dicen que ONG paga para fotografiario denudosos

Hopefully correct translation:
“Supposed to be an un-contacted says that a NGO paid for photographs nude.â€

The article is saying that the WWF and AIDESEP, two NGOs or ONGs in Spanish, paid for photos of what were supposed to be uncontacted tribes in Peru and Brazil.
WWF
http://www.panda. org/
WWF Peru
http://www.wwfperu. org.pe/
AIDESEP
http://www.aidesep. org.pe/

------------ --------- --------- ---
Pucallpa, Peru on Ucayali -Amazon River
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Blog of Andy HoboTraveler. com --- Free Internet Page
------------ --------- --------- ----



This is the Ahora Peruvian Newspaper cover on June 5, 2008.



Ahora Newspaper
Pucalllpa Thursday, June 5 2008
- Pucallpa Peru in the department of Ucayali.



A photo of the groups of men from a village to the North of Breu in near the River Yurua that cross the Brazil Border that posed for photos nude.



The article, you would need to save as onto your computer, and enlarge with a zo! om to read in Spanish.



Map from a post of mine the other day of the Yurua River in the Department of Ucayali.

Map to Less Civilized Tribes

Tribes Isolated for Reason

Map of Ucayali Region in Peru - Department - State
http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Ucayali_Region

Wikipedia.org on Peru
http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Peru

I have no love for the tree hugging, say anything, junk science world of NGO's. Non Governmental Organizations that advertise continuously on BBC, CNN and other world class televisions news stations. They create an false urgencies, then the paid advertisers collect their snake oil money from! the good will of nice poeple to do the business of selling scams.

Disclaimer: I hope that someone read this in Spanish that is better than me, and helps collaborate my interpetation of this article, as it is possible I misunderstand.

NGO Faked Uncontacted Tribe Photos

--
Posted By Andy HoboTraveler. com to Andy HoboTraveler. Com Travel Blog Vol II at 6/07/2008 08:42:00 AM

__._,_.___

 
Posted: Jun 7, 2008 1:46pm | comment (0) | discuss (0) | permalink
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: south   america   tribe   amazon   scams   frauds   ngos   uncontacted  
Message: "Victory" Gardens  
Get Prepared: Victory Garden

Planting a Victory Garden
by: Michael Glassman

Back in World War II the United States Government urged people to plant food in order to help ease the burden on the nation's food supply during a very difficult time in the history of our nation. The resulting gardens were nicknamed "Victory Gardens".

Today's economy is not exactly the same as it was back then, but we are facing challenges of our own. Our food supply is not necessarily in danger of going away, but in case you haven't noticed prices on the most basic of things are going through the roof---and that starts to add up. I realize not everyone has a giant corner of their yard to dig up and turn into a farm, but there are things you can grow in just about any landscape that will not only yield food, but blend in with the surroundings.

Vines that Fruit: Do you have a blank wall that needs something growing on it? Try building a lattice trellis on the wall and planting grapes to grow on the trellis. "Red Flame Seedless" or "Thompson Seedless" grapes are great vines to plant on a trellis or on an iron gazebo, the beautiful fruit bunches hanging down make a great addition to your landscape. Do you have an empty iron arch? A great vine is Kiwis. You need to plant a male and a female vine in order for them to cross pollinate and produce fruit. Plant one of each on either side of the arch. Sweet Peas or Snap beans also make a great vine for a trellis or an arch. If you have a blank spot in your garden that only gets morning sun, try planting Blueberries.

Pot Veggies: A bare patio could use a large pot planted with vegetables and herbs. In the center of a large pot place a wire topiary frame and plant a tomato. Tomatoes are the fastest and easiest to grow they take about 2 to 3 months before producing fruit. Place them in full sun and water daily. Around the tomato, plant basil, oregano, thyme and garlic-this pot has the making of a good pasta sauce. Or plant a pot with Butter lettuce, Romaine lettuce, radishes, a cherry tomato plant and you have a salad in a pot. Herbs make good ground covers: such as creeping thyme, lemon thyme, chamomile, strawberries, all make great ground covers and all grow in full sun.

Privacy Food: If you are looking to create some privacy between you and your neighbors, don't just get any old plant. Plant "Laurus Nobilus", common name Bay Laurels, for a good privacy screen. This is better known as Bay leaves, the same spice that we dry and use in our spaghetti sauce. They are an evergreen bush or tree growing up to 35 feet in height. They give you plenty of privacy. Or plant "Feijoa Sellowiana" common name Pineapple Guava. They make a great evergreen screen growing up to 20 feet in height and have delicious fruit that can be eaten and will also make great mixed drinks.

Made in the shade: Fruit trees make a great shade tree or patio tree. Try planting a self pollinating Cherry Tree. Cherries are so expensive in the supermarket and yet one "Bing Cherry" can produce over 10 to 15 lbs of fruit. My family just harvested our Cherry tree. The fruit was delicious and we picked over 10 lbs of fruit. Other fruit tree options would be planting a Santa Rosa plum or Apricot. These trees produce beautiful white and pink flowers that turn into delicious fruit. If you have a very small yard plant a dwarf or semi-dwarf variety. Full size fruit trees can grow up to 20 feet in height, yet a semi dwarf fruit tree grows about 12 feet and a genetic dwarf fruit tree grows only to about 4 to 5 feet. Genetic fruit trees are great to grow in a pot or large tub. Peaches, nectarines and apples are also great trees to plant in your garden. If you have very limited space and only have room for one fruit tree but you like so many of the summer fruits, you can buy a fruit tree that is called a "fruit cocktail tree". These are fruit trees that have been grafted with several different kinds of fruit on one tree, such as a cherry, plum and peach.

In warmer climates citrus trees and bushes are wonderful. A full size citrus tree can grow 20 feet, it is an evergreen tree with fragrant flowers and wonderful fruit. If you like navel oranges plant "Washington Navels" or "Robertson navels". If juice is desired plant a "Valencia Orange". If you are interested in making Lemonade, plant a" Eureka" or a "Lisbon" Lemon, if you want a decorative Lemon with an orange skin plant a Improved Mayer Lemon. Genetic dwarf citrus grow to a height of 4 to 6 feet are great to grow in a large pot. If you do get a cold spell you can cover them with a plastic tarp making a tent (try not to touch the leaves) or bring the pot inside or on a sheltered patio. Plant strawberries to drape over the container around the dwarf citrus.

Melons are very expensive to buy at the store. Take an area that gets full sun and build 12" high by 24" wide mounds of dirt. Place two melon plants "Ambrosia" cantaloupes or "Sugar Baby" watermelons on the top of the mounds and water daily for two weeks. Melons should be planted after the last frost. After the first two weeks water every other day. It takes 65 to 85 days for your melons to ripen and be ready to eat. When preparing the soil mix in coffee grounds or compost to add organic material to your soil. Aged horse manure is one of the best composts since it is not as high in Urinemic acid as cow manure is.

These are just a few starter ideas help you create an edible garden. Will it solve all of your problems with high food prices? No. But you'll be surprised at how much you'll gain from the work you put into growing your own food. You'll gain a little in the pocketbook; you'll make a few less trips to the grocery store. But most importantly you'll experience the satisfaction of growing your own fruits, herbs and vegetables---and you'll possess the knowledge that you are prepared to provide for your family (at least basic nourishment) no matter what is going on in the world---which is a bit of a 'victory' in its own right.

Michael Glassman is co-host of the Discovery Channel's "Garden Police". He has over 20 years experience, and a degree in Landscape Design and Horticulture from the University of California at Davis. He currently lives in Northern California with his wife and daughter and his work can be viewed on his website.

 
Posted: Jun 4, 2008 12:09pm | comment (0) | discuss (0) | permalink
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: food   gardens   supply   planting   Cultivation  
Message: Alternative Energy Simplified  
OK complicate it. Keep playing the blame game, plenty of blame to go around, including you and I.
Or come up with new ideas and let's start a group to keep in contact, think expedentially thats 1, 2, 4, 8, 32, 645, 7000, 650000, 3000000 on rather than 1, 2 3 to 30.
Invent and patent something.
I reside in Central America, the developing world, in 1995 there were a few thousand cell phones costing $125 average, today there are 6.1 million and some sell for $15/20 and work better than the 1995 models, same situation in Africa I've heard.
Once the technology is in place the product or service will move, become smaller, cheaper, as will Solar cells and wind technology
If we all wait for government grants and corporate sponsorship we'll still be depending on fossil fuels for a long long time...we've entered a new age...not complicated, just different.

View: http://home.utah.edu/~ptt25660/tran.html

Energy is the ability to do work. While energy surrounds us in all aspects of life, the ability to harness it and use it for constructive ends as enconomically as possible is the challenge before mankind. Alternative energy refers to energy sources which are not based on the burning of fossil fuels or the splitting of atoms. The renewed interest in this field of study comes from the undesirable effects of pollution (as witnessed today) both from burning fossil fuels and from nuclear waste byproducts. Fortunately there are many means of harnessing energy which have less damaging impacts on our environment. Here are some possible alternatives:

 
Posted: Jun 2, 2008 1:25pm | comment (0) | discuss (0) | permalink
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: energy   wind   power   thinking   solar   alternative   tides   hydroelectric   geothermal   expedintial  
Message: Notes from El Salvador  

Youth gangs

By Eric Beauchemin

09-05-2008

Gangs in El Salvador and the rest of Central America are a serious problem. They are also extremely violent. Police in El Salvador report that gangs are responsible for 60% of all murders. El Salvador is also home to an organisation called Homies Unidos which is trying to help end the violence and provide alternatives to gang members.

Homies Unidos was founded by Luis Gavidia, a former gang member. When Luis was 14, his family fled the civil war in his country. They were worried he might be forcibly recruited by either the rebels or the government forces. He ended up in United States, living with aunts and uncles. But they didn't get along. Soon he started drinking and smoking pot. Within a year they threw him out and he wound up on the streets.



Photo is of Former gang member and founder of Homies Unidos, Luis Gavidia
Joining a gang
One day, a female gang member befriended him. She took him to visit some of her friends and he soon started spending more and more time with them. "They accepted me as family," says Luis. "They took me into their apartment. They cleaned me and washed me. They cut my hair. They took care of me like my family."

A year later, they invited Luis to become a full gang member. "I was very happy," he comments, "because I knew I was going to be part of a big gang. I was going to be somebody." During the initiation rite, three gang members "jumped" him and beat him for 18 minutes. When they were finished, they all start crying and hugging each other. It was one of the happiest days in Luis's life.

Crime
Luis soon joined the other gang members in selling drugs and carrying out robberies. He had no qualms about it because as an illegal alien, he had few opportunities in the United States. He says if he had been a legal migrant with a green card, there would have been no reason for him to get involved in crime.

Besides, he was happy being in the gang because in some respects they treated him even better than his own family. "The other gang members were even closer to me than my brothers," he says. "There were a lot of really good things in the gangs that I really valued."

A new life
Luis spent 10 years in the 18th Street gang, the largest gang in Los Angeles. He finally decided to start a new life when his first daughter was born. He was in jail at the time and was having many problems, but one day his girlfriend brought the baby to the jail. "They showed me my little girl, and it was such a beautiful moment. I remember thinking, what's going to happen to this baby? Is she going to be like me and join a gang and shoot people? That's when I realised I had to change."

Luis was eventually released, and he returned to El Salvador. He stopped drinking and taking drugs, and got involved in programmes that teach people how to change, such as conflict resolution and mediation. He started attending university and soon hopes to get a degree in anthropology. He also remains active in Homies Unidos because he believes that his own experiences can help other gang members change their lives too.


 
Posted: May 12, 2008 4:05pm | comment (0) | discuss (0) | permalink
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: el   salvador   gangs   intervention   counseling   Homies   peer   unidos   yout  
Alert: Volunteer in El Salvador, Central America  
Focus: Human Rights
Action Request: Volunteer
Location: El Salvador

Discover the Undiscovered....El Salvador & Central America

We will assist you to adapt every step of the way, so if serious please contact us in advance, no "fees" involved however you shall have to cover your own expenses after arrival for lodging, food, ground transportation and day excursions requiring native guide escort....as  well if you are planning a Central American vacation on a budget or as an independent traveler our drivers and experienced native guides are at your disposal and if not having time to volunteer, you will be able to visit several humanitarian aid projects, make valuable contacts and more important..friends!
We are "into" people...not "destinations".
entonces...so...
CINQUERA EL SALVADOR CULTURE, CRAFTS, ECOLOGICAL TREASURES AND LIVING HISTORY OF THE
RECENT ARMED CONFLICT...ALL ROLLED INTO ONE!

Le Esperamos con gusto....


Cinquera El Salvador... Seeking short term volunteers presently in or
traveling through Central America to assist with eco and cultural tourism project..non profit cooperative funded in part by international aid organizations ....

Association for the
Reconstruction and Municipal Development of Cinquera
ARDM ..Cinquera Cabañas
El Salvador, Central America

Offices also located in San Salvador, El Salvador, the capital city

Contact information upon request,  please message....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
***Cinquera-Rural Tourism-Pilot Project

As well as eco tourism Cinquera boasts historical and cultural sites, the
village was destroyed during the worst years of the civil conflict in El
Salvador in the early 1980s and those residents who survived either hid out in
the nearby caves (which are viewed on tour with trained uniformed guides from
the community) of fled the country. After the peace accords of 1992 former
residents began trickling back to Cinquera and in effect this small town was
"reborn". Aside from the Rain Forest tour, there exist in Cinquera historical
and cultural sites such as the Church, a building which stood alone and empty of
worshipers throughout the armed conflict." The Uniformed native guides will
escort you every step of the way through the rain forest, trails have been
constructed. Local transportation to and from Cinquera provided from San
Salvador or Suchitoto, Cinquera is a village, crime free, very welcoming people..bienvenidos!

Cinquera is located well off the beaten path, short term volunteers now
would need to stay in nearby colonial town of Suchitoto or in San Salvador until
the hostal in Cinquera is constructed. Transportation arranged for visitors/volunteers to and from sites in rural areas. Cost of Lodgings and transport borne by vistors and volunteers as the project has limited funding.**

**Travelers note...prices of fuel and foodstuffs have risen dramatically in our region in the last several months, please message in advance of your journey for assistance in reserving budget to moderate lodging places   As of 10 May 2008 Regular Gasoline in El Salvador was $4.13 USD US Gallon while Diesel stood at $4.35 USD US Gallon, salaries and pensions in Central America are low by US and European standards. We are unable to provide short term volunteers with room, board and free transport. All visitors to the Rain Forest/Nature Preserve are required to pay admission to park and guide fees if wishing an escorted tour. No exceptions.

***After volunteering in El Salvador we are able to connect you with other worthy projects and
humanitarian aid organizations throughout Central America
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

** The Story of Cinquera (As related to the author of the bloq below by a survivor of the massacre during the armed conflict)
 
Sunday, January 20, 2008, 10:24 PM
Posted by Kathy Mahler (Aid worker assigned to El salvador at that time)

(url upon request)

"This is probably my longest story. And it is very ugly in parts.

This is a brutal story. The first part is largely what the conditions of life were in the 70’s and 80’s. The last part is about the massacres that occurred in 1983 and 1984 and a bit on life today.

The words are horrible to hear first hand from a survivor. Poor Ashley, our young translator (the former Drake student now working in El Salvador) was a bit pale at times. I don’t think she had heard this before. I have, but it was just as difficult the second time around as it was the first. And there were more details this time …

I had a notebook with me so I caught most of the story. I had time to write because of the translating process. That was both a blessing and a curse. I will be paraphrasing at times, but much of the story is in his words because he spoke slowly and in short phrases. And the narrative seems to jump from topic to topic, but that is the way he spoke. It was a powerful delivery.

Don Pablo introduced himself as one of the few remaining people living in Cinquera from the days of the war. The town was absolutely leveled during the war. All the houses we see today were built after the Peace Accords in 1992. The majority of the original inhabitants were killed. Most everyone else has gone to another department (like a state) or has left the country because they were being persecuted. He held up a calendar produced by Equipo Maize which has small pictures of the faces of those who died. On the calendar part, the date and place where they died is entered. These were people from all over the country – not just in this area.

So here is his story:

He asked: Why did this happen in El Salvador? What was the life in El Salvador before the war?

“I first became socially aware in about 1950. Conditions were poor and nothing had changed in favor of the people since then. The great majority of the people who live in the country live miserably: lacking basic things for life. Everyone cultivated little plots of land for basic grains just to survive. But the land was not theirs. The majority of people worked the land but they did not get paid. They could not rent the land and pay with money so they had to pay to use the land with the harvest. And the harvest was never sufficient to survive. So people left Cinquera to go to other Departments to look for work. The Departments of Cabañas, Morazón and Chalatenengo were the poorest areas. Most people between November and February left Cinquera to work the coffee finca, also the sugar cane and cotton fields on the land of the very same people who were exploiting them with their little plots of land where they were cultivating in their home town. Almost everyone had to leave in order to work and they were treated very badly. They were paid badly and the exploiters took away part of their wages if they were being provided a place to sleep. So people would sleep under the trees. And lots of children and older people died on the plantations because they were always exposed to the elements. There was never enough water to bathe. People would go 15-20 days without bathing. They were only given 2 liters of water per day to drink. There were no clinics to take care of people.” ....... for the entire story message for url.....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cinquera undergoing reconstruction since 1992

The Rain forest and nature preserve is now completely developed and the town is ready to receive visitors. Three Uniformed Guides/Park Rangers on duty 7 days a week.

If planning to visit Cinquera and the rest of El Salvador.....

Cinquera and other projects are in fairly remote rural areas and native guides are unable to accompany low budget travelers on public transport (buses) for reasons of comfort, safety and time factor..for visitors and volunteers we utilize insured vehicles  owned by local drivers...

Backpacking - Those of you on a very low budget will find that that though time consuming and at times crowded and a bit uncomfortable, getting around El Salvador and Central America by bus on your own can be an unforgetable adventure and very inexpensive. Of course, use common sense and take precautions for your personal security. Never walk alone at night, in cities and large towns, especially women alone or in pairs, best take taxi or ride with friends back to your lodging place after dark.

Avoid walking or hiking alone in unfamiliar remote areas, all organized volcano climbs in both El Salvador and Guatemala now require local tour operators to provide both guide and security for visitors.

In general, except for marginal areas in San Salvador metropolitan area, El Salvador is quite safe for visitors and local people are quite open, friendly and helpful to visitors.

Le esperamos con gusto.

Association for the
Reconstruction and Municipal Development of Cinquera
ARDM ..Cinquera Cabañas
El Salvador, Central America

Offices also located in San Salvador, El Salvador, the capital city


Care2.com members message me

Bloq with more detailed and our direct contact information....http://elsalvadoradventures.blogspot.com/  

 
Posted: May 11, 2008 2:32pm | comment (0) | discuss (0) | permalink
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: human   travel   america   el   latin   tourism   rights   central   salvador   independent   eco   reconstruction   volunteerism  
Message: Discover The Undiscovered Land of El Salvador  
Central America seems so far, yet it is near, but a few hours flight from gateway points in the US and Canada....We are not travel agents nor 'tour operators' and prefer to meet in person after your arrival to tailor any itinerary you may desire..from a day to a week.


HTML/Web Design volunteer needed.........no rush!


El Salvador and Central AmericaAdventure & Independent Travel, Volunteer Vacations….*Who we are and what services we are able to provide for you….Period..Punto. …“Discover the Undiscovered El Salvador and Central America”


STEP INSIDE CENTRAL AMERICA...
LIKE NEVER BEFORE!

Experienced Native Guides based in El Salvador, The Heart of Central America!
Transportation in Insured Vehicles with skilled local drivers.

Intensive Cultural Tours Central America In El Salvador and Guatemala we offer to the visitor intensive cultural, crafts, historical and eco tours with bilingual native guides. Study Spanish in Central America or Volunteer to help one of several worthy causes ranging from human rights to disaster relief...special welcome to groups, artists, travel writers and other journalists, photographers, women traveling alone, gays and lesbians. Our organization is not affiliated directly with any political party neither religious groups, however we tailor the itinerary to the client's needs and budget limitations and connect you if possible with whomever you wish to meet and escort you wherever you wish to travel. Period. Do contact us well in advance of your departure so we may help you to plan your journey…..

Central America…..More than just trekking, more than just studying Spanish….more than you can imagine!

UN PASO PARA ENTRAR EN CENTRO AMÉR