CONTINUING ON TO SUCHITOTO, EL SALVADOR
We found the travel comfortable and easy the next 47 or so clicks and arrived in Suchitoto, a picturesque historical city of northeast El Salvador. Located between the Guazapa volcano and the Lempa River the climate is warm throughout the year at 440 meters above sea level. The city's name means place of the flower bird and is detailed with cobbled stoned streets, old historical buildings that date back to colonial times. It reminded us of Antigua, Guatemala but not quiet as pretty or clean. The people were exceptionally friendly and even though they are all very distracted with the upcoming election....they are quick to greet us and to wish us a welcome.
We arrived around lunch time and found many choices of eateries in the central square. The merchants offered things including tours, ice cream, many artisan shops and a few hotels and or hostels. As we walked around and extended our visit to the next few blocks we saw many more cafes. In particular a great pizza place PATAGONIA AL NORTE, at Pasaje Sta Lucia #3 up a block from our hotel, turn right then right again.......basically just go right around the buildings. The best coffee we found at Artex Cafe on the central square, kitty corner from the church. Of course there were a few more hotels that ranged in price from 45 dollars and up. Villa Balanza was a few blocks away towards the lake; a great place to eat but very busy so no room at the inn!!! We chuckled cause when we went looking for a room all she had were two rooms left, just beside the banos.........dark and no windows.........for $20.00 a night. Not our idea of a good hostel stay so we carried on in our search for accommodations. www.villabalanzarestaurante.com.sv
We settled on Pasada Alta Vista for $35.00 per night with our own bathroom with hot water, A/C and a very comfortable upper floor nearly to ourselves until the weekend started/ Even then it was very quiet and homey and a few steps to the central square. Being in this location we were close to the art galleys, the theatre, the museum and the Art Centre for Peace, all of which in the next three days we visited.
The later, is located in what formerly served as the school of Dominican sisters. The remains after the war are a harsh reminder but is now improved to create a space for education, to offer workshops and host drawing, painting photography, dance and music exhibits. Unfortunately, the displays are not in English so we miss out on alot of information. This is disappointing for us as we truly, are interested in the country, its history and its revival. www.capsuchitoto.org
We discovered another old building that was home for a local social program for women: there were over ten sewing machines, and equipment to dye fabric with the idego found here with the resulting shirts, skirts, ts and fabric offered for sale in a store area and a restaurant on the other side offering great coffee and very reasonable typical food. All work was done by the local folks.
Then entire month of February was set up to celebrate the revitalization of the Teatro de Las Ruinas. We truly enjoyed an evening of a full Orchestra. The four chellos were stupendous as they were special guests playing three pieces from Metallica and a number from Maerio E Ancalmo Duele Amor!!! Very cultural for us both......and very warm as the there was not A/C.
The Touristic CenterPort San Juan located by the lake Suchitlan was disappointing. Thought set up for shopping for handicrafts, and restaurants there were no patrons. The lake though very beautiful is polluted.
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| This little fella entertained us during our supper at Villa Balanza |
We arrived around lunch time and found many choices of eateries in the central square. The merchants offered things including tours, ice cream, many artisan shops and a few hotels and or hostels. As we walked around and extended our visit to the next few blocks we saw many more cafes. In particular a great pizza place PATAGONIA AL NORTE, at Pasaje Sta Lucia #3 up a block from our hotel, turn right then right again.......basically just go right around the buildings. The best coffee we found at Artex Cafe on the central square, kitty corner from the church. Of course there were a few more hotels that ranged in price from 45 dollars and up. Villa Balanza was a few blocks away towards the lake; a great place to eat but very busy so no room at the inn!!! We chuckled cause when we went looking for a room all she had were two rooms left, just beside the banos.........dark and no windows.........for $20.00 a night. Not our idea of a good hostel stay so we carried on in our search for accommodations. www.villabalanzarestaurante.com.sv
We settled on Pasada Alta Vista for $35.00 per night with our own bathroom with hot water, A/C and a very comfortable upper floor nearly to ourselves until the weekend started/ Even then it was very quiet and homey and a few steps to the central square. Being in this location we were close to the art galleys, the theatre, the museum and the Art Centre for Peace, all of which in the next three days we visited.
The later, is located in what formerly served as the school of Dominican sisters. The remains after the war are a harsh reminder but is now improved to create a space for education, to offer workshops and host drawing, painting photography, dance and music exhibits. Unfortunately, the displays are not in English so we miss out on alot of information. This is disappointing for us as we truly, are interested in the country, its history and its revival. www.capsuchitoto.org
We discovered another old building that was home for a local social program for women: there were over ten sewing machines, and equipment to dye fabric with the idego found here with the resulting shirts, skirts, ts and fabric offered for sale in a store area and a restaurant on the other side offering great coffee and very reasonable typical food. All work was done by the local folks.
Then entire month of February was set up to celebrate the revitalization of the Teatro de Las Ruinas. We truly enjoyed an evening of a full Orchestra. The four chellos were stupendous as they were special guests playing three pieces from Metallica and a number from Maerio E Ancalmo Duele Amor!!! Very cultural for us both......and very warm as the there was not A/C.
The Touristic CenterPort San Juan located by the lake Suchitlan was disappointing. Thought set up for shopping for handicrafts, and restaurants there were no patrons. The lake though very beautiful is polluted.
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