My Dream Trip to El Salvador

by Barbara Marable  
First of all, I must tell you that before my trip I was quite apprehensive about David being in El Salvador. Although I was always appreciative of the opportunity to travel with WORLDWIDE's Latin America coordinator to pick up David and bring him home; I was also anxious to return home and get the first few weeks of adjustment behind us. 

The coordinator being the wonderful travel companion that she is, insisted that I take the window seat flying into El Salvador. There simply are not words adequate enough to describe what happened next. In fact, mere words seem to diminish the experience. But as we flew across the most beautiful, green paradise I have ever seen, the airplane began it's landing procedures and as we flew nearer and nearer the lush green countryside that surrounds the airport, a complete and calming peace poured over me. I could not take my eyes from the window and I could not speak, but this warm peaceful feeling started at the top of my head and slowly made its way through my entire body down through my toes. Then, I knew everything was as it should be and that David was supposed to be born in El Salvador and he was supposed to live there for a while. I still did not know why, but suddenly everything was alright. 

The week we spent in El Salvador was undoubtedly the most wonderful trip of my life. The attorney and his family treated David and me like royalty and we all had a marvelous time. We talked, laughed, ate wonderful food and we met some of the most sincere and warm people in the world. 

We traveled on Saturday, and on Sunday we visited Cero Verdae (Green Hill) which is a national park for a volcano and rain forest. Monday we went shopping all day at the Fereria International de Artesanias (International Fair of Folk Art). Tuesday, part of Wednesday and Thursday I was thrilled to be fortunate enough to go along with the attorney and the coordinator to visit four absolutely darling little girls who are in the process of being adopted by WORLDWIDE families. They are little angels and are all doing very well. This also gave me the opportunity to see first hand how well the attorney monitors the well being of each child. 

Wednesday was our big day in court. And in spite of a flat tire we had on the way to court at 3:00 p.m. on that beautiful, sunny afternoon, David officially became our son (of course he had already been our son in our hearts for a long, long time). 

Thursday we took care of necessary business at the Embassy and received David's Visa. Then we went to Lake Coatepeque and had a lovely lunch at the Hotel Torremolinos to celebrate! 

If I had to pick a favorite day, Friday would have to be that day. We had a picnic under the most beautiful tree on the beach at the Pacific Ocean. The scenery was breath taking with wide beaches and pieces of driftwood as large as small trees. There were coconut trees all around and coconuts scattered on the beach. Lots of hermit crabs scurried along with us, as we took a long walk on the beach at sunset. And it was there that I said my silent, bittersweet, good-bye to El Salvador. 

It rained the next morning as we left El Salvador, as though the sky was also a bit sad to see us leave. Of course returning home with David was the most joyous occasion of mine and Bill's marriage. David is  absolutely the most adorable son anyone could ever hope for and is certainly worth every minute of the wait. David has also adjusted beautifully since being home, which I feel is due in part to the excellent and loving care he received while in El Salvador. 

For some time I have to admit, that whenever I look out a window I miss seeing the lush, green mountains, volcanoes and huge fluffy white clouds that were always on the move. And it all seemed as if I just awakened from a beautiful, beautiful dream.

WORLDWIDE Adoption Services, Inc

Montgomery Building, Suite 436, 187 North Church Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306
Phone 864-583-6981    Fax 864-583-0150