Another day of traveling...

This entry dates to January 25th.
OK, so here is another belated update on my journey.
I met some nice gentlemen in the terminal where I was waiting for the bus. They were from the US but now living in Guatemala and Mexico, and are directors (or something like that) for the Lions club all throughout Central America. They were retired and had some, let me just leave it at, interesting stories to tell. They did help me figure out what I was doing with the whole bus trip and were even going to take the same bus. This was a great blessing and helped calm my nerves.
We boarded the bus finally at about 3:30, I was in seat 10, which meant I had a an aisle seat. This was a nice bus too (think of a greyhound in the US) because it had bucket seating and air-conditioning. I know I took the easy route, but really it was very cost efficient, and was the most direct way to get to were I wanted to go. Oh yeah, I never told you where I was going. The city of San Salvador in El Salvador would be my final destination, after an expected 18hr trip.
OK, so what I was getting at is that there was a young man who sat next to me throughout the trip whose name was William, from San Salvador. He was visiting some friends in Costa Rica for a while and was returning home. Throughout the day we had periodical conversations (in Spanish) about random things. We talked about his family, and his studies in psychology at the government university (he is 19) in San Salvador, as well as my family and my studies. Many times it just ended up that we couldn't figure out what each other was saying and we would leave it at that, but by the end I would like to say that we were friends. I got his email and phone number (just in case I got lost in San Salvador) and we parted ways at the bus station, but I hope he keeps in contact.
So, they even provided 3 meals on this bus trip! Burger King french toast dipping sticks for breakfast and a cheap sub sandwich for dinner, but what was actually good was the lunch. They had rice, beans, chicken and some kind of salad. This was my first, somewhat Central American meal of the trip. I liked it, but I do look forward to something better soon.
At each "frontera" (border) we had to get off the bus with our passports in hand. The first few of these were very tense for me because of my experiences crossing the Canadian and Mexican borders in the past. I was ready for a complete luggage search and some harassment, but there was really none to be had. Each border was filled with people, so many times we just got in line to get our passport stamped and they sent us on our way without any further difficulties. Many times we were left to wait as the bus driver went to take our information to the customs agent to allow the bus to pass through. Throughout this time we were bombarded with people selling, purses, watches, tortillas, fruit, you name you got it. There were also a number of money exchangers who would constantly nag you about exchanging for the national currency. I would say it was a very uniquely hectic place, and not one that I would want to linger at very long. It was a great time to get out of the tight bus, stretch my legs and toes, and breathe some fresh air.
There were three movies that we watched throughout the day. I was very surprised at the choices. The first was the most surprising, "Avitar". I didn't even think that they would be able to get a hold of the film yet since I assumed it was still in theaters. It wasn't as good to watch it on a small screen though. The second was "Shooter," which I have seen once before, and it was entertaining. But really, should they have been showing an "R" rated movie on a bus with small children and Religious Sisters watching. Yes there were quite a few Sisters aboard, which made me smile. The third, I don't remember the name of, but it was even more violent and bloody than the previous, and it started with a fact that "there is a kidnapping in Latin America [some amount] every day, and then the story line is all about the corruption and bad stuff that happens in Mexico. Is that really something that you show to those traveling in Central America? Really?
On a lighter note, I experienced my first sunset just as we crossed the border into El Salvador. It was beautiful, especially since it was over a short mountain range along the pacific coast and a few clouds to add a finishing touch. The sunsets are pretty short here though because I am so close to the equator, but you don't see them over mountains every day in Iowa. Never, unless you include the hills of HWY 30 east of Tama-Toledo, which I have see many a good sunset.
The bus ride plunged back into darkness once again, just as it had started, and there was still quite a few hours to go.
We pulled into the San Carlos station in San Salvador around 10:30 that evening, and I started to worry. I could not see John Donaghy, my contact who would be picking me up. There was another stop about 20 minutes away, but I was unsure which stop I told him I would be at. William was leaving at this stop too along with the English speakers, so I would be on my own. I do not like to be in situations where I don't know where I am or how to get anywhere, not to mention, lacking in the ability to speak well, and the fact that it was very dark. I decided to keep going on to the next terminal. At this point, I knew that all I could do once again was pray, and pray hard. I must thank Amanda at this point, because her Rosary ring was the best gift I could have asked for. I am not sure how many times I prayed it throughout the day, but I was bound and determined to get through a rosary before the next stop. To keep my mind off of daydreaming into what could happen, I prayed for everyone I could think off, besides myself. Then finally I made my petition for John to be at the terminal, and just as I finished the bus came to a stop outside the terminal. I looked up and out the window, and the first thing I saw out of everything was a short, balding, gringo (white person). Praise the lord! My prayers were answered and I now know the power and comfort than can come through prayer, especially a meditative prayer such as the Rosary.
After saying a quick prayer to thanks, I got off the bus and met John. Unfortunately, he had been waiting around the terminal for quite some time because the bus was very late; nearly 2 hours. We grabbed a taxi and went to the small hotel that he had already found. I was so relieved to just sit down with familiar company, and be able to speak English. Not to mention being able to sleep well for the first time in two days. I fell asleep that night in peace, my muscles relaxed, and with my mind finally being able to dream about the exciting times to come.