Alvarenga appears in a wheelchair in San Salvador 's airport , looking tired and weak . He says he survived more than a year stranded at sea . His family says it 's been eight years since his last visit to his native town . Hide Caption
Alvarenga appears in a wheelchair in San Salvador 's airport , looking tired and weak . He says he survived more than a year stranded at sea . His family says it 's been eight years since his last visit to his native town . Official says of Alvarenga 's newfound celebrity : `` He does n't know what awaits him ''