My aunt from Ahuchapan

Bonjur (that’s how I think English speaking folks would massacre Bonjour in an effort to sound French)!

Hope you’re having a lovely Friday…..

So this morning I was reflecting on the earthquake that hit Guatemala a couple of days ago. Life’s funny, I was hearing on the news that last major quake to hit that country was 32 years ago; and you know what? I was there in some sort of way….

You see folks, 36 years ago there was a quake and I was in Ahuachapán, El Salvador; a quaint little town near Guatemala. I remember this because, like almost every weekend between the months of January and September, I was at my aunt’s house -Doña Berta Gonzalez (RIP)- and the news of a relief effort being organized in this town took to the streets. As luck would have it, the relief effort was being organized in the park that stood meters away from my aunt’s home and we were going to participate in this brotherly effort. I don’t remember the facts exactly but I remember that my aunt sent someone; I want to say my older brother but don’t really recall, to add our piece of help to the cause. That lady (my aunt) was a saint; if it wasn't for her our weekends would have been atrocious during those days that were mark by the absence of my mother who had left the country to start something new in Canada. I will always remember her in a good way, as well as her daughters. Sigh…. There is still some memories in my head that will be spit out as I go along….God bless you always tia Berta…

Take care folks!

PS The quake of 1976 killed over 20 thousand people...