Marqueza
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I would go to visit prior to making the commitment of moving especially if you are not married yet. Once there, the family can direct you of areas that are dangerous and as always use common sense. Don't go out alone at night as there is a lot of gang activity or travel by yourself to unknown places until you can get a feel. Feel free to visit though and see the country for its beauty. Mostly likely you will be safe, so don't worry!! Be dicerning in what you eat, but don't cut yourself short as El Salvador has a lot of cuisine to offer ie coffee, pupusas, horchata, sea food soup, tamales, etc. There is a rainy season and a dry season - bug repelent may be necessary. The country is beautiful with great beaches and beautiful flowers. If you look gringa, you may find yourself a curiousity first, but Salvadoreans are very friendly. I think the concern would more be culture shock because El Salvador is not like the United States in some ways. There is a lot of good and bad. There is a lot of poverty (kids without shoes, women wash all the clothes by hand (no washing machines), outdoor toliets, etc) , but people often open up their homes to you. Salvadoreans are very culturally rich and enjoy life at a differently pace (much slower) than americans. If they are making pupusas, they will offer you some. The job market is very bad and not a lot of jobs for an highly populated country even fewer for foriegners. Often people work for just $5-$8 a day, but people work hard and take a pride in what they do. They are able to make a living somehow with little many grow their own produce and raise their own cattle. How people view animals, dogs and cats for example, is different. Many animals are not allowed in the house as animals are seen to remain outdoors. Many salvadoreans don't like pets, but this isn't always true. There is a lot of trash in the cities and some in the rural parts; it is not uncommon for someone to throw trash from buses. Some of the rural roads are not as well maintenanced and can be a bumpy ride. Medical care is socialized so look into coverage as an American. There is a lot of music from the states, but also expect a high influence of Ranchero, Cumbia, Bachata, Salsa as well. Salvadoreans love to dance and play music so be prepared for the fiestas (and they can party all night especially for Christmas). For a Gringa, you may not know what will be different and depending on your own family culture, it may be the same or different. Take in consideration, that in general, the salvadorean culture is still based on many old world traditions. Women have a very specific place in the culture and are expected to some extent to cater to the men; the precept of barefoot in the kitchen still can hold true. Women can be objectified by some men. Many women work and still provide for the man while raising children - men are expected to bring the paycheck home and very little else. Married men are still allowed to party while women are not as liberated. Women who smoke or drink are not viewed as well; even smoking and drinking is bad for men. Even if you boyfriend is not like this, as not all Salvadorean men are, his family may be. There is the term Machista ( a hyper form of macho) and your boyfriend can explain it more to you. Many Salvadorean women expect men to be machista as a sign of manliness. The great thing about Salvadoreans is that they are very family oriented and you will be well treated by his family; in general, they take care of blood by offering what they can. They take care of their moms and dads and sibilings, but not always kids as there are a lot of single moms. Again, this isn't true of all Salvadoreans! Also, the Salvadoreans speak a street language caliche, that isn't always understood even by native spanish speakers from other countries so be prepared to learn new vocabulary for common spanish words, but with time that would come as any normal process of learning the language. The country is primarily Catholic and the traditions behind it play a big part of festivals and events especially for each town's saint. With that all being said, I would definitetly go to visit perhaps for a extended time as you will find a place off the tourist path with a lot to offer, but consider seriously the cultural and economic differences before moving permenantly. |
My ♥ Is In The City By The Bay!
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El Salvador is dangerous as all countries in the world. Do not forget that every country has good and bad places. Some people exagerate talking about this topic, but honestly everything depends where you are. The key thing is to live your own life and dont pay attention to other people. If you see something wrong, dont pay attention and keep going your way......doing this you gonna avoid get envolved in problems, i think you got my idea right?
I lived 19 years in there and the only time saw dangerous things was on the 80's decade war. I hardly remember even i was a child
ok i talked to much lol dont be worry to move to there and plan ur move carefully and everything will be fine! |
picasso_4_life
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Depending on where you go in Salvador. just like any other part of the world, some areas are safer then others. however being Latin America, the safe zones are fewer then the dangerous ones. just keep to the tourist areas and avoid being out at night alone, and you should be just fine.
no, it is not like America (assuming you are talking about the USA), its a lot of fun, but i did prefer Honduras or Guatemala. |
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