South with the Aussies...

It seems the quintessential manner in which to wind down a trip with a surfing theme would be to hop in an old blue van with a few Australians and head down the pacific coast looking for waves (and in the case of the Australians, women).

And so it is. We have accepted the offer and should be leaving our favorite surf spot sometime within the week (at the whims of Lee, Simon, and Paul now). Below Griffin is given the ¨Australian mullet¨haircut. I´ll have to get some shots of the aftermath. The old blue van that they have driven down the entire coastline from Canada can be seen in the background.

Some favorte foods along the way...

As our trip is winding down (we are looking at heading north sometime next month, but not after one or two more stops in Nicaragua) it is fun to reflect on one of my favorite aspects of travelling... the food! New fruits are always popping up (especially as we have been down here for the change of seasons). Above is a pataya and below is one of our favorite new snacks, chocolate covered, frozen banana!

And of course, the experience wouldn´t be complete without ¨chengas¨, as they are referred to in some parts of El Salvador. A bucket of corn is thoroughly washed, put through the mill and then stone ground to a finer consistency. A little water, salt, and some proper hand technique, and you have the El Salvadoran tortilla; thick & hearty, it is approximately ten times the size of a mexican tortilla.

A Typical Day...

Since our visit with Kelly in the country town of Canton Argentina, we have been staying at a little surf town by the name of Sunzal. It has proved to be a lovely stop and a very gentle wave for beginners...

We wake up, generally early (our lives have begun to parallel the sun), have a quick snack and head down to the beach for an early morning ¨session¨(the lingo for a surfing session). Then, generally, return a couple of hours later for a larger breakfast (something along the lines of fried plantains, refried red beans, eggs, homemade bread or tortillas & coffee), lounge during the heat of the day, reading or, in the case of Griffin, playing the mandolin, and in the case of myself, learning to embroider. Then, out for another afternoon or evening session, a quick supper, and hit the bed soon after the sun sets (which is early... around 7 o´clock). Add a little human interaction with locals or other travellers, and that has been a typical day in the last two weeks.

We are about to head to the high country to allow our bodies some recovery (surfing is indeed physically demanding) & for a little civil war history... we are headed to the sight of ¨Massacre at Mazote.¨

The People of Canton Argentina...

Griffin and some of the fellas playing cards at the game table (a rock surrounded by rock seats next to ¨la cancha¨, or the soccer field.
This is actually the public transportation for Canton Argentina. Above is the soccer team on the way to a game (all holding on tightly as the truck makes its way down a steep dirt road). Griffin got to play, but unfortunately i was still recovering from a sprained ankle acquired during ¨practice¨ (it is a shame I didn´t get to play, as I would have been the first gal to participate)... Playing soccer in sandals on a dirt field is highly unadviseable.

One of my favorite of the elders helps her grandson into a pair of shorts.

the highlands of El Salvador...

One of Kelly´s old host families put us up for the week of our stay in Canton Argentina. This is them resting in the shade of their watermelon patch after a laborious gathering of wood in the heat. That´s the pacific meeting the shoreline below.