Day 100 - El Salvador

(Ursula) Yesterday, we stayed overnight on the shore of Lago Ilapango, 8 miles beyond the capital San Salvador. A nearby bar was open and had cold beer. Büsi licked milk and ate ham, but she was still shaking and afraid.

The national currency here is Colón. We didn’t stop anywhere to sightsee, but we liked what we saw of El Salvador. The terrain was hilly and lush. Farmers grow corn, bananas, pineapple, oranges, mangos, papayas, and melons. There are also lots of coconut palms and coffee plantations.

Was it only my imagination? El Salvador people seemed better nourished and taller than Guatemalans.

The border crossing into Honduras was cumbersome, but we endured it patiently. Pigs and chickens walked back and forth between the officials - no one seemed to care.

Border areas always seem to attract merchants who want to sell you something. A traveler from Guatemala offered us chewing gum and asked for a ride. We took him along and chatted. He was an interesting guy, but we couldn’t figure out what his actual occupation was. We got a little tense when he started talking bout handguns and recommended we carry a firearm in Honduras. Then he asked to be dropped off at the next village, and we relaxed again.

We proceeded to Choluteca, where we went shopping and found a Trailer Park owned by American Jim Hatkins. Büsi is slowly getting used to us. He was sniffing the area around the camper and found his way back. Two little girls kept me company while I was preparing dinner. I thought they were so sweet.

A local brought fresh string beans and introduced us to his dog, calculator, and transistor radio.

Trucks refueling at a nearby gas station let us sleep very little that night. Besides, cats are definitely nocturnal animals. Büsi bit our fingers and was on a discovery mission inside the camper all night.

Stats: Miles 170, Expenses $27.10Read more