Alegria
Our journey to Alegria was eventful, as Chris mentioned in the previous post. I was really excited about getting there. It's the highest town in El Salvador, known to have great views and plenty of artisans. We arrived at about 4pm and found a wee town with a central square. The woman in the tourist office was really helpful. She gave us a heads-up that our chosen hostel had toilet problems, so we headed to our second choice. As we made our way there, the heavens opened!
This was our second time in El Salvador in which we stayed in a hostel with dorm rooms only, and we happened to get a dorm room for only two people. So we paid dorm rates for a private room. Genius! Plus they have a big, lovely dog called Champan because he's champagne-coloured. He's gorgeous, and he likes to be petted. Suited us just fine!
We'd hoped to get some great views in and also shop for a gift for Kirsten, but views were blocked by ominous clouds and the artisan shops were already closed. We opted to do some laundry instead and then find some dinner. Cue the pupusas! We are loving them. They're eaten in Honduras as well, but we only first tried them in Suchitoto, here in El Salvador. They were good there, but they were heavenly in Alegria. They're basically corn tortillas shaped around various ingredients. We vegetarians can opt for cheese, cheese and bean, or cheese and scrambled egg. When made up fresh and properly, they melt in the mouth. The women in the Alegria pupuseria were much bemused by our enthusiasm for their pupusas. We wound up coming back for a late-night snack of more pupusas, and we were able to use our wee laptop with their wifi while we ate. Ace!
The next morning we got up bright and early for what we thought was a hike to a nearby mirador. It's at the top of 100 stairs, and we were prepared for a good bit of exercise. Then we found out that it was just a couple blocks over from the hostel. When we got there, it turned out that we were already at the top of the 100 steps; the mirador is in the town itself! So that was a strenuous hike. But the view was indeed lovely. From Alegria we could see mountains and valleys, all covered with trees, in every direction.
It turned out that there was a festival for schoolchildren that morning. Hundreds of kids from seemingly dozens of schools were all lined up in the square and made their way in a procession, led by a school band. We're not sure where exactly they went; we didn't want to look dodgy by following all these kids. But we enjoyed the music and soaked up the lively atmosphere. Then we found an artisan shop. The owner was nice enough to open it a bit early for us, and we got a couple wee things we hope Kirsten will like!
We walked around the town a bit. Then it was more pupusas from a different pupuseria but just as tasty. A man at the next table chatted with us. He lived in the USA for 25 years and wanted to talk about travels. Chatting with locals is always a highlight for us, although it's easier with some than with others. Some people talk so quickly that we can't translate quickly enough in our heads! We try, though.
Then it was time to pack up and head out. Next stop: Perquin.
This was our second time in El Salvador in which we stayed in a hostel with dorm rooms only, and we happened to get a dorm room for only two people. So we paid dorm rates for a private room. Genius! Plus they have a big, lovely dog called Champan because he's champagne-coloured. He's gorgeous, and he likes to be petted. Suited us just fine!
We'd hoped to get some great views in and also shop for a gift for Kirsten, but views were blocked by ominous clouds and the artisan shops were already closed. We opted to do some laundry instead and then find some dinner. Cue the pupusas! We are loving them. They're eaten in Honduras as well, but we only first tried them in Suchitoto, here in El Salvador. They were good there, but they were heavenly in Alegria. They're basically corn tortillas shaped around various ingredients. We vegetarians can opt for cheese, cheese and bean, or cheese and scrambled egg. When made up fresh and properly, they melt in the mouth. The women in the Alegria pupuseria were much bemused by our enthusiasm for their pupusas. We wound up coming back for a late-night snack of more pupusas, and we were able to use our wee laptop with their wifi while we ate. Ace!
The next morning we got up bright and early for what we thought was a hike to a nearby mirador. It's at the top of 100 stairs, and we were prepared for a good bit of exercise. Then we found out that it was just a couple blocks over from the hostel. When we got there, it turned out that we were already at the top of the 100 steps; the mirador is in the town itself! So that was a strenuous hike. But the view was indeed lovely. From Alegria we could see mountains and valleys, all covered with trees, in every direction.
It turned out that there was a festival for schoolchildren that morning. Hundreds of kids from seemingly dozens of schools were all lined up in the square and made their way in a procession, led by a school band. We're not sure where exactly they went; we didn't want to look dodgy by following all these kids. But we enjoyed the music and soaked up the lively atmosphere. Then we found an artisan shop. The owner was nice enough to open it a bit early for us, and we got a couple wee things we hope Kirsten will like!
We walked around the town a bit. Then it was more pupusas from a different pupuseria but just as tasty. A man at the next table chatted with us. He lived in the USA for 25 years and wanted to talk about travels. Chatting with locals is always a highlight for us, although it's easier with some than with others. Some people talk so quickly that we can't translate quickly enough in our heads! We try, though.
Then it was time to pack up and head out. Next stop: Perquin.
posted by Trace at
3:28 pm
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