Two plus two is three..

Saturday, July 29th

Ok, so San Salvador is a city of chaos. At least that´s the impression that you get after visiting the city center. We left the orderliness of our posh neighborhood and drove into the busy streets of this Central American capital. The law here is made by the toughest and only they survive.

After avoiding being hit by a bus, waiting behind a green light just because some driver thought he could make it through his yellow light, and negotiating people on the streets we made it to a parking place. The attendant was kind enough to tell us where to go from there. We visited a the cathedral were mass was being given. Then, we walked around to another church with a very particular shape. The environment was getting sketchier by the minute and yes, a bit dangerous. I am not sure if the guys noticed but there were a couple of people going around us, checking out out at all times. In any case, we walked back towards the center and saw more of the city.

Todd and Greg purchased some shirts at the market and then we were off.. out of the center. The next stop was suggested by Emily as well and it was the Museum of Salvadorean Art (MARTE). This was very very nice! Also, we got a student discount and entrance was only $0.50 per person. Art there consisted of local painter´s works. Very nice! Some of it touching, some of it alarming but all in all, very colourful. The restaurant there seems to be very high end so we don´t eat there.

At this time our stomachs are asking for a meal. However, the guys want to take me out for my birthday (next Monday) to a nice place. So we drive down to the beach at La Libertad. Emily, whom we have not met yet in person, highly suggested that we go to a place called Sunzal. Once on the road, we did not know if this was the name of the place or the name of the beach or what it was.. However, we asked around and made it to Cafe Sunzal.

What a wonderful beach.. flat long stretches of waves being ridden by skilled surfers. The sand was black and inviting. Now on to Lunch/Dinner. We all ordered the combo which consisted of a seafood coctail, main entree, dessert and beverage. This place has to be the nicest and most expensive place we have eaten at so far. However, the setting and the food were amazing!! Clams, fish, squid.. you name it, it was in our table. The flan tasted like heaven. The guys paid for it.. (Thank you guys!) but stopped short of singing happy birthday in Spanish. Luckily, during the whole meal we were serenated by the speakers to the sounds or Air Supply, Brian Adams, Phil Collins, Lionel Ritchey and other heavy hitters of this caliber.

Now it was time to head back as apparently and according to the Lonely Planet, this area gets hairy at night. So Alexey drives back to San Salvador and we are there in 45 minutes.

At this point we are thinking that we are going to go out to a club or something. At the very least we were planing to have a few beers at the bar next door. However, today was tiring and I fall asleep. For some reason the last thing I remember from last night was Alexey glued to the TV watching Arnold in Terminator I. Was I dreaming?