El Salvador

Our visit was only a few days - we missed Obama by one day, as we were leaving he flew in!

The journey from Santa Rosa de Copan (Honduras) was up hill and down dale again in
a good comfortable bus.

We literally got dropped - the bus stopped for about 30 seconds to disgorge us and our luggage
on the road towards San Salvador

The heat hit us! It must have been about 40degrees. No humidity either, we felt we were drying up!

The old colonial capital, Suchitoto, was where we were heading, while we waited sitting on the curbside side for a 'chicken bus', this lady passed by.

We had to walk quite a way to the hotel, dragging our wheely bags along the cobbles in the boiling heat.

Finally the gates came into view.

The next shock was - no reservation and it was 20$ more than we thought!!

After much discussion a price  was agreed and we were offered a suite! 

Here it is!

And this is the bathroom.

And the view from the terrace 

was fabulous.

This is a fisheye setting  view!!!

We decided to gather our strength, by having a siesta,

 before venturing out into the evening light.

Lent has begun here, The procession of  'The12 stations of the Cross'

was being prepared. This was the 8th Station, being prepared by two old ladies.

We wandered around the Town, enjoying the ancient buildings.

The church was impressive in the evening light..

We went in and saw that Jesus was ready for his journey.

Mass was in progress, so we wandered out into the square., admired another 'Station'

A few moments later Jesus was carried out of the church.

The altar boys didn't seem to know what to do.

and people were milling around.

until the Priest got them organised.!

With the help of  the technical team!

Finally everyone was in position and off they went.

We stopped at a cafe, to have a beer and enjoy watching life go by.

There is a very 'calm' feeling about the town and we were relaxing too!.

We went into the church, which was huge.

It had some very old stained glass windows.

We walked back to the hotel passing gardens.

and looking at Patios.

We had to leave at lunch  time the next day, but had time to explore and marvel at the old buildings.

This building was a restaurant. Inside was a  very imaginative use of a piece of wood!

I love these 'corner' windows and their grills.

The wooden bench outside the school was interesting.

We came across the town 'dough'making shop. The locals took their ground corn flour and it was made into dough for them to make their Tacos at home.

The town is full of artists' studios.

And of course we found the tiny market.

The corn wrapped potato is eaten at the weekends!

Simple furniture was for sale too.

In El Salvador they paint the lampposts!

The pink flowering tree was glorious.

and so we said goodbye to Suchitito.

The Capital of El Salvador (San Salvador) is a typical Central American city; -
Filthy, noisy, car,buses and trucks belching forth foul black exhaust fumes, very poor people living in appalling conditions, the wealthy living in palaces, protected by high walls crowned with razor wire. And everywhere armed guards.
Religion is important, The newly built Cathedral is huge.

Inside the windows were equally impressive.

Outside, there was a park.

and an old colonial building that was empty, but guarded by the police.

We were so overcome by all the fumes and noise we retired to a bakery and had a coffee and biscuit!

Outside  San Salvador is the small village of  Panchimalco.        .

We took a micro bus out to the village. The church is one of the oldest in El Salvador, and the village supposed to be one of the prettysts.

The church was a classic Colonial facade.

 Inside was pretty impressive.

The aisle still made from terracotta tiles .

The ceiling, the original wood.

The Altar screen, wood and silver.

Jesus was ready for his journey here, as well.

Outside it was hot and the ice making boy was busy mushing up the ice!.

We didn't think the village very remarkable, the people were obviously very poor.

But still managed to plant flowers outside some of their houses.

Tiny shops lined the main street.

And women still carried items on their heads.

We visited the cemetery, which is usually an interesting place.
But this one was a shock. It was filthy.

Returning to San Salvador we visited the Ethnological Museum .
It was new, very well presented and of course had some exquisite Pre Columbian pieces.

We liked the toy dog on wheels  about 1,000 years old!

And the glazed braziers form Inca temples.