24 hours and 3 buses later i am enjoying the festivities of the independence of Mexico in San Cristobol de las Casas. the morning started with a parade and has continued throughout the day with music, food and relaxation. The streets are full of people, vendors and the determined bus and taxi drivers who somehow navigate through the throngs of people. the colors of red, green and white are on every window and the flag is flying high from wherever one can put a flag. as the adults walk and enjoy the day, the children run through the parks with balloons and painted faces and i, one of the many foreign visitors on this day, watch and take it all in.
this is my second time in San Cristobol, i was here years ago, and i find it all very familiar. surprisingly familiar actually. the cafe´s, the churches, the zocalo, the streets made for walking and the markets...i remember them all and so i re-visit them once again. i am happily not taking photos this time around, it is kind of freeing to leave the camera at the hostel and just enjoy the city and it´s residents. of course it isn´t all aimless walking and eating (food is everywhere today and it is hard to resist the ice cream, fresh mango, corn on the cob and sweets made just for this day)...i also had to get some things done, like laundry.
i have to say that while the whole backpacking thing can get old, especially wearing the same 4 outfits over and over, the taking your laundry to someone else to wash, dry and fold for about $2-4 never ever ever gets old. because really, when in my life has that ever happened? when i was a kid perhaps, but actually that isn´t true, my mom never folded the clothes (haha it´s true i swear!)
my other mission for the day, updating the blog and returning emails. i fully recognize i am behind on the blog and as i keep saying there is sooooo much stuff to say. but here i am updating just on this day. but a few quick things:
1. El Salvador is beautiful, the people are gracious and in 5-8 years it will be on the Gringo Trail and tourists will be flocking to hike, surf, visit the quaint villages, and enjoy the fabulous museums. Here´s the thing, there are problems in this country AND there is so much to enjoy as well, including the Modern Art museum in San Salvador. i don´t want to compare it to those in the states, but i kind of have to compare it to something and so i will say that it is right up there with those in the states. but i suppose it isn´t the museum itself that is so great (although it is) but what makes it fabulous are the incredible Salvadoran artists. oh and the National museum, aka the Anthropological museum is also very good. granted all the explanations are in Spanish but the presentation of the material and objects is very well done. clearly there is money to spend in El Salvador on the museums because these two are very well done.
Speaking of San Salvador...i really liked this city. ugh i know, i know. there is all this negative stuff out there about this city- it´s the most dangerous capital city in Central America, the gang violence is out of control, the narcotrafficantes have taken over, the police and military are part of the problem, it is dirty, it is polluted, etc., etc., etc. and yet, i really enjoyed my day in the city. one day does not make all that stuff go away, nor does it give me any real evidence to offer a differing opinion. all i can say is that the people were friendly, helpful and welcoming, that i never felt unsafe and there was much to see and do.
pictures of El Salvador and my final days in Nicaragua will be up soon, probably when i am in Mexico City. tomorrow i will spend the day here and take a night bus to Oaxaca where i will have a day or so before i take the bus to Mexico City.
¡Viva Mexico!
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