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Stacy's View on Things
You certainly don't have to read the whole thing - I just got carried away writing this on our new laptop computer while we were down there. In short - we had a great time, and it was good to really meet all of Lulu's family down there. Anyway here it is...
Hello from El Salvador,
This is Saturday (July 21) - I have been here about one week. Louise arrived on Monday June 25 and I arrived on July 13.
I arrived on a Friday and Louise picked me up at the airport. Good to see my family again. I am amazed at how easily I get through the customs with my big box (containing a wheelchair purchased through ebay in the States) for Lulu's cousin here. For some reason everybody entering is required to pay a $10 fee for entering the country. I am about to ask what the fee is for but I decide to wait at least a little while before causing trouble. I am told there is also a $25 fee for leaving the country (only payable in cash) and we are running a little low on cash right now!
Anyway - as I leave the customs area of the airport I see a mass of people outside in the waiting area. Fortunately Jonathan and David see me - Louise is tending to the car.
Just as I remember from my last trip here, all of Louise's relatives treat me
like some sort of royalty here - starting with the first night. Louise's
cousin Claudia and her family treat us to dinner the first night. A very
nice place and very crowded - grilled chicken, meat, etc. I have a couple
of Pilsener beers and we have a great time. The place seems to be a lot
like many popular sports bars and restaurants in the States - a lot of
young people. And they even have a game room for kids with a game of foosball.
They also have large screen TV's showing the soccer games. It seems to me
that it is a good sign for the El Salvador economy that so many local
people have enough money to spend on a pretty trendy place like this.
The next day - just goofing off we head to the mall. We are driving a
truck lent to us by Louise's cousin (Luis) who gets it for free from time
to time from Budget Rent a Car. It is air-conditioned and quite a treat to
have - but it will only last the weekend. Luis works as a sports reporter
on the local TV station (Canal 33) and wears a Budget hat and has a Budget mug that is
often visible when he is on TV. The mall is a lot like American style
malls - but of course some different things for sale. I try one of the
fancy coffee places and we buy some fancy dessert stuff for a treat.
Later that Saturday we are invited in the afternoon to a dance recital
(ballet) of the daughters of Raul (another cousin) ages about 5 and 10 I
think. It is wonderful but the music is so loud that I have to go outside
and look in the door.
That night we are treated to dinner again - this time by Luis at a place on
the beach. We drive about 30 miles from San Salvador and dine by a little
place (looks like a shack) that overlooks the ocean and serves absolutely fabulous
ceviche and fresh fish. (Check out the view at right) I am in such a good mood in this place that I
decide to buy Dave his first beer. He finishes before I do. (Then Luis
actually picked up the check - so he bought the beer).
