San Salvador

After the last classes on Friday, we boarded a bus at noon on Saturday and arrived at our guesthouse in San Salvador about 3:45.

We've never stayed here before but it's been very nice and the housekeeper has taken good care of us.  She fixes us fresh squeezed orange juice each day.  There is an interesting mix of young people from around the world who stay here...often in the midst of months of youthful traveling around Central America. They have hostel beds in dormitories for $7 a night but we are in a large private room just off the reception area.
We have spent our days here walking the streets and riding the buses to see the city and some friends that we have made through the years. 

Colorful graffiti around the national University.

Many trees are in bloom and it makes for lovely neighborhood walks.

Marlys...Warren thinks you have a potential new career in bicycle vending.  You are the only one he can think of who would be able to pedal these rolling carts up and down the hills of San Salvador!

On Sunday mornings they close off a major street...Constitution Blvd...and it is devoted to walking, biking, skateboarding, and vending almost anything.  We have made friends with Rafael, a coconut vendor, and his daughter.  They like to practice their English and they tolerate our Spanish.

Of course, we've spent some time with Carlos and Yolanda, Warren's host family on several occasions...and my hosts for one week a few years ago.  They have become our Salvadoran family.

We always enjoy a trip to Pollo Campero with Monsey, Ricky and Diego.  Both Monsey and Ricky's mothers were there, too, but had to stay home to watch a movie...not enough room in the car!

Ricky's mother, Elsie, (center) is visiting from Iowa where she has lived for several years with Ricky's brother, Oscar. 
We had a lovely visit to the bi-lingual school where Monsey used to teach and visited in English with students from kindergarten to high school.  The high school students are studying four languages...Spanish, English, Chinese, and sign language.  What an opportunity for those young people...very different from the educational experiences of the students in Munoces!
Tonight we have one last dinner with our friend, Steve, and, hopefully, with Leslie, the director of CIS.  That will be a fine way to bring our travels here to a close for this year...as always with mixed emotions.  We will hold the dear people of Munoces close in our thoughts as we return to life in Newton, Iowa.