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| Bob with feed dangling over street in San Salvador |
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| Rose - overlooking lake in El Salvador |
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| House with 14 layers of ash in Joya de Ceren |
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where our OAT Trip Leader Hector Franco met us at the airport and sent us to our hotel. We were the first of our group to arrive, so we had the whole afternoon to explore. We are in a beautiful hotel suite in the Las Palmas hotel. Went for a dip in the pool and then went to a taco restaurant where you sit at a table on the second floor of a building and hang your feet dangling over the sidewalk. Best tacos this side of the taco wagon in Richland.
After breakfast, we took a panoramic city tour of San Salvador, passing the National Palace, and touring the Catedral Metropolitana in the city center, stopped at a military facility and looked at a map of Central America. Hector told us that there is no wine made in Central America, only beer. We are told there 2 million people in San Salvador. There are flags on the car. They are celebrating independence in Central America – 1821 – 2011 on September 15. We bought a flag with 5 volcanos on it that represents the five states in Central America – Nicaragra, Guatamala, Costa Rica, Hondors, and San Salvador. Two were recently added – Beleize, and Panama. At the cathedral I lit a candle for Jerry and Annie. When I first lit it, it went out. Then I relit it and it stayed. I believe it is symbolic for Jerry, who is now actively dying of Lung cancer—his light is going out, but Annie’s is going on.
Then, we set off to explore Joya de Cerén, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the first of five Mayan archaeological sites we’ll discover on this adventure. Located about 30 minutes from San Salvador, Joya de Cerén is aptly nicknamed the “Pompeii of the Americas, ” because—like Pompeii—it features remarkably intact dwellings that were preserved for centuries after being buried by volcanic ash. Dating from about AD 600, the ruins here were the homes of ordinary people—not, as at most other sites the monumental temples of royalty—the adobe houses, communal baths, and public buildings of a typical Mayan farming village. This site was discovered in 1976 and is still being excavated. Evidence suggests that the inhabitants were able to evacuate as the eruption destroyed their village, but they left utensils, textiles, and furniture behind that provide revealing glimpses of Mayan life more than a millennium ago.
We then visited a military site, where we saw a map of cement of San Salvador, so we could see where we would be going today. We learn on our drive to lunch that the average salary 10 years ago was $90 a month, where today, the lowest salary is $140 a month. If you have a high school degree, you can make upwards to $600 per month. From Joya de Cerén, we head to the border of Honduras—stopping en route for lunch at a local restaurant on the shores of Lake Coatepeque—bound for the town of Copán. Henrico discussed with us some political problems in Central America. The FMLN political group is in power, and it is based on communist party. The biggest problem in Central America today is gangs and drugs.
We are tired after our 6 hour ride and have a welcome drink with rum and fruit punch. Then to dinner where we have fish and you guessed it—more beer.
We miss our traveling companions (Browns and Montanos) but will happily join them in a couple of months on the river cruise. The hotel wi-fi is not working well, so am finally getting to the lobby to download this. Sorry it is not too personal today.
We arrive in time for an orientation walk around our hotel—a charming, colonial-style property just a short ride away from the town's Central Plaza and the Copán ruins. This evening, we’ll enjoy a Welcome Dinner at our hotel.
It sounds like a very interesting trip with good beer and rum drinks!! Does Bob have anyone bringing him ice cream? We miss being with you on the trip - take care!
ReplyDeleteMary and Charlie