I do not think I am still pronouncing the name of the place correctly. Formed nearly half a millennium ago, this is atypical of the various colonial towns I have seen so far. The kids were just getting out of school and size wise, it seemed bigger than the previous two I went to.

I finally blurted it out to Gabriel when I saw this bus in Salcoatitan.

“Gabriel, why are there so many school buses in El Salvador? What is this bus doing at this time here in this town? And none of the passengers look like school kids”.

I was half expecting a story like we had experienced in Gustavo, Alaska. The one school bus in that island ferried us from the tiny airport to the one hotel that was there.

Turns out I learnt a very interesting story.

School buses from USA that are discarded are often sold to El Salvador. In fact, you can even see the school name on this bus. They fix the buses up and then use for inter-city public transportation!! Many of them are painted over. But some like this, are not!!

Over 3000 feet above mean sea level, this was a cool and quiet town. There was a zen-like peace in the center park. This place is famous for its local food: cassava salcochada cooked on firewood. I did not get a chance to try it since I spent only about an hour in the town.

You see that stall with that bored looking lady sitting there by herself with a bottle of water? What do you think it is?

It is a Bitcoin ATM and Bitcoin to cash conversion place! Did you know Bitcoin is an official currency in El Salvador? By far the most popular one is US Dollars, though!

My friend from the hotel – Paola Perez – who had helped me make all my arrangements had insisted that I visit Nahuizalco. I told Gabriel that we need to go there. He told me that it would be our first stop.

Very cute town. One of the colonial towns marked by the church, the central park and the market, it was a great place to observe the local people and their habits.

Right in the middle of the road… and I mean in the middle of traffic… juggling with three swords!!

El Salvador used to have a fairly active railway system. But it fell into disuse and does not exist any more. Although there is a government department to look after the railway lines that are not being used!! There is currently a proposal to revive railways in El Salvador.

This was one of the unused engine sitting out there in Sonsonate. From the wheel base, it looked like narrow gauge.

This is the national tree of El Salvador. I understand they come in pink and purple color too.
Although I did not get to see them. The yellow ones stood out exquisitely against the blue clear sky as the background.

This picture was taken from a running car. (explains the light smudges)

This highway – claimed to be the worlds’s longest highway – goes all the way from Alaska to the southernmost tip of Chile. There is a portion of it which is a “gap” in Panama called Darien Gap that is swampy and infested with gangs and cartels. You do not want to be there. One of my friends once cycled on this route and had to give up his bicycle as ransom to get out his kidnapping.

I have been on this road in Chile, Peru and the USA. Now El Salvador gets added to that list.