April 24 to 26, 2015 El Salvador, First two days

We crossed the border between Guatemala and El Salvador while sailing south to Bahia del Sol. 

On Friday, April 24th we took the dinghy for a quick exploration of the estuary and then back for breakfast. We took the dinghy over to Ratscullion (Henry and Pamela) got some information for the bus, taxi, local provisioning and costs associated. Then we had lunch at Comedor Mercy up the street from the resort where we had chicken, rice and salad, and homemade tortillas for $3.50.  We had a dog begging for food, Keith shared some chicken with her.  We watched the bus go by and come back, several cows walking up the road. After lunch we walked to the beach side of the resort.

Small palapa that serves breakfast, Chicken at lunch and papusas for dinner

Saturday we start our first journey bus in to Zacatecoluca which was awesome, breeze flying in through the windows, bus stopping to pick people up as we made our way from Bahia del Sol. Upon arriving to the bus drop off zone at Biggest Burger we went to get our haircuts, $3.00 for a cut.  We walked past a large white church, Catedral Nuestra Señora de los Pobres. We continued walking to Claro for cell phones for both our phones and Dan’s phone.  All set with the iPhone 4 but they did not have the micro sym for the iPhone 5.  We walked through the markets looking for food and were directed across the street to a two level building with food vendors on the second floor. We ate lunch at Pupuseria Bendicionde Dios, which was fantastic with a large orange juice, fresh squeezed. The pupusas were queso con loroco and ayote con queso. The people here are so warm and friendly with smiling faces and eyes.  Truly welcoming and delightful. We were watching this woman, sitting on a chair announcing tortillas for sale, she was smiling and giggled.  She got up and went down the stairs, came back to eat a donut with chocolate on it and Wayne asked where she got it, she pointed below and called the woman selling pastries.  We walked to the bottom of the stairs and got this really tasty donut with chocolate and nuts.  Wayne looked up the stairs and gave the woman thumbs up on the treat. With a smile she waved. The women near by were very flirtatious and asked Dan if we were his brothers and Kathy his wife.  She then introduced her two twin daughters, who shyly leaned into their mothers arms. Off we went to the market. 

Empty bus takes us to Zacatecoluca

Walking to the Park after we had haircuts

Catedral Nuestra Señora de los Pobres

Young girl at bread stand in the market, delicious looking bread

Vendors in the one story market, woman on the street with traditional dress and apron we see for vendors

Food courts on the second floor of the food market

Our first big walking adventure in Zacatecoluca

We caught two buses back to Costa del Sol.The first bus was crowded with standing room only. Kathy was able to sit with some of the provisions. The young guy collecting was going around making a sound "Psst, Psst, Psst" and then shook the change in his hand as he passed by every seat and person. Each stop people would get off and on, he would whistle make and announcement then bang on the bus to let the driver know he could proceed. Really smooth operation despite the bus being completely full with many people standing then we had vendors squeezing through the people to sell pupusas, water and cold drinks, assorted pastries and other food. The woman all wore lacy styled aprons to put their money, change and napkins for some.

Woman making tortillas on the street side

Vendor from bus

Walked back to the dinghy, provisions slung over our shoulders and back to the boat. We got back to the boat changed and with computer devices in the backpack we set down by the pool to update the blog.  We sat by the pool and updated the blog, while Sam and Dave stopped by from Isleña and chatted for a while about Zacatecoluca, renting a car and land travel throughout Central America.  Earlier we bumped into Don from Permanently Temporary as he was going to his boat to get his car keys as he was off to get chicken dinners from the restaurant we ate at the first day.  Our memory was they only served chicken for lunch (almuerzo) and pupusas for dinner.  He was getting food for Heavy Metal, Irie and themselves and invited us to stop by.  Keith dropped Dan and Kathy back to Lungta and returned. We started to walk back to the marina but Permanently Temporary and Heavy Metal’s lights were off. We walked back to the dinghy and noticed everyone at the restaurant. We stopped by and noticed Debbie, Gail and one of the boys, from Heavy Metal, playing cards. Keith and Wayne sat down to play Baja Rummy with Gail and Debbie.  Great time here and getting to know more people.  Making new friends with other cruisers is really awesome for us.

We were invited to Lin and Lou’s home, two Americans that invite the cruisers in the local marinas to their home for socialization and gathering for potluck. We traveled over with the other cruisers who are in Costa del Sol, we brought brownies for the occasion. Jamie from Lin and Lou’s arrived in a pick-up truck to take everyone. We left the resort with Marianna and Greg (Irie), Harald and Live (sweet Norwegian couple), and several other people. Upon arrival we meet our hosts and Margie and her husband, people on Konza from Australia, then Ron arrived, Gordon and Kat (Dancing with Dragons), Gail and Don (Premenantly Temporary), Rego, Debbie, Henry and Zion (Heavy Metal) and Bill and Jean.  Beautiful property on the estuary with a deep water dock, 3 pools, and manicured grounds in a “gated community” that was started by Palestinian 's leaving Israel for safe location and community. Lin and Lou are from the US and have been in El Salvador for 3 years and are among only 4 “gringo” families in Costa del Sol.  Great day spent meeting new people and having a relaxed day in the pool. potluck lunch was great.

Three pools, upper pool spills into the larger pool and the cool pool is in the gazebo with clay roof

Marinna and Greg from Irie, Harald from Norway and Zion on Heavy Metal. Potluck lunch served in the back with tables and seats for everyone. Great location...looking forward to going back on Sunday

We got back to the boat around 18:00, sat down then watch Captain Phillips.