We are on our way. Today was the easy part, we are still in El Salvador so really tomorrow is going to be 3 countries, 1 day, if everything works out. We got up at 7;30 and had breakfast by 8;15, then after paying our bill, we headed out to walk up the road (5 mintues) to the highway. Let´s see, the wait for the bus was maybe 3 minutes. That was easy.
We arrived in La Libertad, then walked up the street to the bus stop, 2 minutes. We had to wait a bit for the bus to fill up but when it did we headed off. The drive back to San Salvador took longer than we remembered but this time the driver didn´t pull any guy off his ladder. We had a little tour of San Salvador´s back streets, and then were dumped unceremoniously on some street near the bus station, but there was a taxi there waiting (15 secs transfer time.), so we just hopped in that and got whisked to the other bus station across town. There we got out, walked in to the entrance and were immediately met by a guy asking where we were going. And after 30 seconds we were on the bus to San Miguel - today´s destination. The bus left five minutes later. We were very lucky because this was the Super Especial - which cost 5 bucks per person for the 2 hour ride with air con and two violent movies to entertain the children. We arrived at the SM bus station at 1;15 or so. Total time travelling, 4 hours and 10 minutes, total time on our feet - 10o minutes and 45 seconds give or take a minute.
San Miguel is not a tourist destination we think. We walked through the crowds to the very crowded market, past the church which was closed. The market had lots of people trying to sell us pants and shirts. Better than in La Libertad where I decided I had better do some serious weight loss when the woman who accosted us tried to seel me a bra. A nice red bra, maybe it was Valentine´s Day come to think of it.
We had lunch at the Pollo Campero across the street from our hotel. We are also directly across the street from the bus station, very convenient. We could use the swimming pool while watching the buses depart - it´s directly across from the bus exit, so well situated. Pollo Campero is El Salvador´s answer to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Apparently El Salvadoreans returning to the US make Pollo Campero their last stop so they can bring some back to friends and family. It´s actually better than Kentucky Fried - not all those 11 herbs and spices making it taste funny. We liked it.
Now it´s back to our air con room - this town is very hot, I swear it´s at least 35 C out there - definitely over a 100 F. Our room also had a good view of the bus station so we are perfectly set. The town is aid to be dangerous after dark, especially the bus station area so we will just hang out here thank you and stay happily inour room till dinner time and then until breakfast time.
Tomorrow our plan is to get the bus to the border with Honduras, a minibus across to the Nicaragua border (about two hours) then another bus to Chinandega. If all goes well we will probably send our next message from there.
Showing posts with label San Salvador. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Salvador. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
3 countries, 2 days - day 1
We are on our way. Today was the easy part, we are still in El Salvador so really tomorrow is going to be 3 countries, 1 day, if everything works out. We got up at 7;30 and had breakfast by 8;15, then after paying our bill, we headed out to walk up the road (5 mintues) to the highway. Let´s see, the wait for the bus was maybe 3 minutes. That was easy.
We arrived in La Libertad, then walked up the street to the bus stop, 2 minutes. We had to wait a bit for the bus to fill up but when it did we headed off. The drive back to San Salvador took longer than we remembered but this time the driver didn´t pull any guy off his ladder. We had a little tour of San Salvador´s back streets, and then were dumped unceremoniously on some street near the bus station, but there was a taxi there waiting (15 secs transfer time.), so we just hopped in that and got whisked to the other bus station across town. There we got out, walked in to the entrance and were immediately met by a guy asking where we were going. And after 30 seconds we were on the bus to San Miguel - today´s destination. The bus left five minutes later. We were very lucky because this was the Super Especial - which cost 5 bucks per person for the 2 hour ride with air con and two violent movies to entertain the children. We arrived at the SM bus station at 1;15 or so. Total time travelling, 4 hours and 10 minutes, total time on our feet - 10o minutes and 45 seconds give or take a minute.
San Miguel is not a tourist destination we think. We walked through the crowds to the very crowded market, past the church which was closed. The market had lots of people trying to sell us pants and shirts. Better than in La Libertad where I decided I had better do some serious weight loss when the woman who accosted us tried to seel me a bra. A nice red bra, maybe it was Valentine´s Day come to think of it.
We had lunch at the Pollo Campero across the street from our hotel. We are also directly across the street from the bus station, very convenient. We could use the swimming pool while watching the buses depart - it´s directly across from the bus exit, so well situated. Pollo Campero is El Salvador´s answer to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Apparently El Salvadoreans returning to the US make Pollo Campero their last stop so they can bring some back to friends and family. It´s actually better than Kentucky Fried - not all those 11 herbs and spices making it taste funny. We liked it.
Now it´s back to our air con room - this town is very hot, I swear it´s at least 35 C out there - definitely over a 100 F. Our room also had a good view of the bus station so we are perfectly set. The town is aid to be dangerous after dark, especially the bus station area so we will just hang out here thank you and stay happily inour room till dinner time and then until breakfast time.
Tomorrow our plan is to get the bus to the border with Honduras, a minibus across to the Nicaragua border (about two hours) then another bus to Chinandega. If all goes well we will probably send our next message from there.
We arrived in La Libertad, then walked up the street to the bus stop, 2 minutes. We had to wait a bit for the bus to fill up but when it did we headed off. The drive back to San Salvador took longer than we remembered but this time the driver didn´t pull any guy off his ladder. We had a little tour of San Salvador´s back streets, and then were dumped unceremoniously on some street near the bus station, but there was a taxi there waiting (15 secs transfer time.), so we just hopped in that and got whisked to the other bus station across town. There we got out, walked in to the entrance and were immediately met by a guy asking where we were going. And after 30 seconds we were on the bus to San Miguel - today´s destination. The bus left five minutes later. We were very lucky because this was the Super Especial - which cost 5 bucks per person for the 2 hour ride with air con and two violent movies to entertain the children. We arrived at the SM bus station at 1;15 or so. Total time travelling, 4 hours and 10 minutes, total time on our feet - 10o minutes and 45 seconds give or take a minute.
San Miguel is not a tourist destination we think. We walked through the crowds to the very crowded market, past the church which was closed. The market had lots of people trying to sell us pants and shirts. Better than in La Libertad where I decided I had better do some serious weight loss when the woman who accosted us tried to seel me a bra. A nice red bra, maybe it was Valentine´s Day come to think of it.
We had lunch at the Pollo Campero across the street from our hotel. We are also directly across the street from the bus station, very convenient. We could use the swimming pool while watching the buses depart - it´s directly across from the bus exit, so well situated. Pollo Campero is El Salvador´s answer to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Apparently El Salvadoreans returning to the US make Pollo Campero their last stop so they can bring some back to friends and family. It´s actually better than Kentucky Fried - not all those 11 herbs and spices making it taste funny. We liked it.
Now it´s back to our air con room - this town is very hot, I swear it´s at least 35 C out there - definitely over a 100 F. Our room also had a good view of the bus station so we are perfectly set. The town is aid to be dangerous after dark, especially the bus station area so we will just hang out here thank you and stay happily inour room till dinner time and then until breakfast time.
Tomorrow our plan is to get the bus to the border with Honduras, a minibus across to the Nicaragua border (about two hours) then another bus to Chinandega. If all goes well we will probably send our next message from there.
3 countries, 2 days - day 1
We are on our way. Today was the easy part, we are still in El Salvador so really tomorrow is going to be 3 countries, 1 day, if everything works out. We got up at 7;30 and had breakfast by 8;15, then after paying our bill, we headed out to walk up the road (5 mintues) to the highway. Let´s see, the wait for the bus was maybe 3 minutes. That was easy.
We arrived in La Libertad, then walked up the street to the bus stop, 2 minutes. We had to wait a bit for the bus to fill up but when it did we headed off. The drive back to San Salvador took longer than we remembered but this time the driver didn´t pull any guy off his ladder. We had a little tour of San Salvador´s back streets, and then were dumped unceremoniously on some street near the bus station, but there was a taxi there waiting (15 secs transfer time.), so we just hopped in that and got whisked to the other bus station across town. There we got out, walked in to the entrance and were immediately met by a guy asking where we were going. And after 30 seconds we were on the bus to San Miguel - today´s destination. The bus left five minutes later. We were very lucky because this was the Super Especial - which cost 5 bucks per person for the 2 hour ride with air con and two violent movies to entertain the children. We arrived at the SM bus station at 1;15 or so. Total time travelling, 4 hours and 10 minutes, total time on our feet - 10o minutes and 45 seconds give or take a minute.
San Miguel is not a tourist destination we think. We walked through the crowds to the very crowded market, past the church which was closed. The market had lots of people trying to sell us pants and shirts. Better than in La Libertad where I decided I had better do some serious weight loss when the woman who accosted us tried to seel me a bra. A nice red bra, maybe it was Valentine´s Day come to think of it.
We had lunch at the Pollo Campero across the street from our hotel. We are also directly across the street from the bus station, very convenient. We could use the swimming pool while watching the buses depart - it´s directly across from the bus exit, so well situated. Pollo Campero is El Salvador´s answer to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Apparently El Salvadoreans returning to the US make Pollo Campero their last stop so they can bring some back to friends and family. It´s actually better than Kentucky Fried - not all those 11 herbs and spices making it taste funny. We liked it.
Now it´s back to our air con room - this town is very hot, I swear it´s at least 35 C out there - definitely over a 100 F. Our room also had a good view of the bus station so we are perfectly set. The town is aid to be dangerous after dark, especially the bus station area so we will just hang out here thank you and stay happily inour room till dinner time and then until breakfast time.
Tomorrow our plan is to get the bus to the border with Honduras, a minibus across to the Nicaragua border (about two hours) then another bus to Chinandega. If all goes well we will probably send our next message from there.
We arrived in La Libertad, then walked up the street to the bus stop, 2 minutes. We had to wait a bit for the bus to fill up but when it did we headed off. The drive back to San Salvador took longer than we remembered but this time the driver didn´t pull any guy off his ladder. We had a little tour of San Salvador´s back streets, and then were dumped unceremoniously on some street near the bus station, but there was a taxi there waiting (15 secs transfer time.), so we just hopped in that and got whisked to the other bus station across town. There we got out, walked in to the entrance and were immediately met by a guy asking where we were going. And after 30 seconds we were on the bus to San Miguel - today´s destination. The bus left five minutes later. We were very lucky because this was the Super Especial - which cost 5 bucks per person for the 2 hour ride with air con and two violent movies to entertain the children. We arrived at the SM bus station at 1;15 or so. Total time travelling, 4 hours and 10 minutes, total time on our feet - 10o minutes and 45 seconds give or take a minute.
San Miguel is not a tourist destination we think. We walked through the crowds to the very crowded market, past the church which was closed. The market had lots of people trying to sell us pants and shirts. Better than in La Libertad where I decided I had better do some serious weight loss when the woman who accosted us tried to seel me a bra. A nice red bra, maybe it was Valentine´s Day come to think of it.
We had lunch at the Pollo Campero across the street from our hotel. We are also directly across the street from the bus station, very convenient. We could use the swimming pool while watching the buses depart - it´s directly across from the bus exit, so well situated. Pollo Campero is El Salvador´s answer to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Apparently El Salvadoreans returning to the US make Pollo Campero their last stop so they can bring some back to friends and family. It´s actually better than Kentucky Fried - not all those 11 herbs and spices making it taste funny. We liked it.
Now it´s back to our air con room - this town is very hot, I swear it´s at least 35 C out there - definitely over a 100 F. Our room also had a good view of the bus station so we are perfectly set. The town is aid to be dangerous after dark, especially the bus station area so we will just hang out here thank you and stay happily inour room till dinner time and then until breakfast time.
Tomorrow our plan is to get the bus to the border with Honduras, a minibus across to the Nicaragua border (about two hours) then another bus to Chinandega. If all goes well we will probably send our next message from there.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
San Salvador
We left Suchitoto this morning. Sad. We had made friends with some of the locals. The transportation was a Blue Bird school bus from Brampton, Ontario. When their life span is over in Canada they are sold to Latin America! The seat was not wide enough for both of us so half of my bum was over air. We were supposed to continue traveling west to the highlands and probably cold weather but I suggested as we neared San Salvador than we could stay in the big, bad city for a night. So taxi to the Zona Rosa area (upscale) and a small boutique hotel for more money than we have paid on this trip.
I have to go to the bathroom now so Nigel will continue.
San Salvador is described as dangerous, but the Zona Rosa seems safe enough. The fact that every business seems to have an armed guard may explain that. Our hotel has a guy with a shotgun, but he also does the sweeping out front and opens the door for us. Might as well be useful. After we arrived we were a little peckish so went across the street to an Argentinian place for an empanada which was delicioso. The door had to be unlocked by the armed guard of course, so we felt quite safe there too.
The main reason we chose this hotel is because it is so near the important museums. After we arrived we walked uphill past the Sheraton to the Museum of Modern Art which is very large and displays in its four salas, a retrospective of Salvadorean art from the early 20th century to very recent times. I can´t remember the names of any of the artists, but there was some fine work which I would be glad to see hanging on the walls of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Of course we didn´t stay that long - it´s not so hard to go through four rooms of art if you´re just looking.
We had lunch after our art foray at a little French bakery (we´re going international here), and supper tonight was at a place called Baselia (after the city of Basel in Switzerland) where Geordie had Italian pizza. I had fish - a little more local.
After lunch we went directly to the Museum of Anthropology which has much the same stuff as any good Latin American museum - lots of precolumbian art and pottery, displays on pyramids and other ruins, a display of artisanal work, and a religious section which included precolumbian, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish artifacts. It was worth the $3.00 price -glad it wasn´t expensive like the museum at Copan Ruinas, which cost $15.00 per person.
Tomorrow we are off to the highlands where we will probably be too cold again. We are going to stay in Ataco for one night and then two nights in Juayua (Why-you-Ah) which is famous for it´s food fair on weekends. And we will be there for Saturday and Sunday nights. Then it´s off to the beach and too much heat there I think. It´s been quite windy the last few days, in Suchitoto and here.
Apparently it was even more windyon the Pacific coast. We met a group of four women who were sitting at a table near us in Suchitoto who sounded awfully Canadian. When we talked to them, it turned out they were all from Qualicum Beach, and one of them owned a hotel on one of the beaches down there and had heard about the winds.
I have to go to the bathroom now so Nigel will continue.
San Salvador is described as dangerous, but the Zona Rosa seems safe enough. The fact that every business seems to have an armed guard may explain that. Our hotel has a guy with a shotgun, but he also does the sweeping out front and opens the door for us. Might as well be useful. After we arrived we were a little peckish so went across the street to an Argentinian place for an empanada which was delicioso. The door had to be unlocked by the armed guard of course, so we felt quite safe there too.
The main reason we chose this hotel is because it is so near the important museums. After we arrived we walked uphill past the Sheraton to the Museum of Modern Art which is very large and displays in its four salas, a retrospective of Salvadorean art from the early 20th century to very recent times. I can´t remember the names of any of the artists, but there was some fine work which I would be glad to see hanging on the walls of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Of course we didn´t stay that long - it´s not so hard to go through four rooms of art if you´re just looking.
We had lunch after our art foray at a little French bakery (we´re going international here), and supper tonight was at a place called Baselia (after the city of Basel in Switzerland) where Geordie had Italian pizza. I had fish - a little more local.
After lunch we went directly to the Museum of Anthropology which has much the same stuff as any good Latin American museum - lots of precolumbian art and pottery, displays on pyramids and other ruins, a display of artisanal work, and a religious section which included precolumbian, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish artifacts. It was worth the $3.00 price -glad it wasn´t expensive like the museum at Copan Ruinas, which cost $15.00 per person.
Tomorrow we are off to the highlands where we will probably be too cold again. We are going to stay in Ataco for one night and then two nights in Juayua (Why-you-Ah) which is famous for it´s food fair on weekends. And we will be there for Saturday and Sunday nights. Then it´s off to the beach and too much heat there I think. It´s been quite windy the last few days, in Suchitoto and here.
Apparently it was even more windyon the Pacific coast. We met a group of four women who were sitting at a table near us in Suchitoto who sounded awfully Canadian. When we talked to them, it turned out they were all from Qualicum Beach, and one of them owned a hotel on one of the beaches down there and had heard about the winds.
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