San Salvador, El Salvador
The end of week one, I stepped out from my hotel in San Salvador to have dinner at the Mexican restaurant down the street. Miguel started talking to me when he heard that I was having trouble placing my dinner order. In no time at all I joined the table with his wife and son. Miguel had lived in Canada several years back and spoke English very well. He told me about life there and about his business in San Salvador. Conversation drifted here and there, and then he ask me what I was doing the next day. The family was going two hours west of the city to swimming pools on their last day before the coming holidays would make taking a day off impossible. Always have things to do, but decided to take a day off and take a day trip with them. Sunday morning they picked me up, then loaded up the car with three more kids. A family outing was unfolding.
Soon we arrived at the "Eco Park", a series of river fed swimming pools. One of the pools had warm water from a volcanic source. The pools offered every kind of of swimming pool a kid would want. Wading pools, slides, a pool large enough for water volley ball or swimming contest. The hands down favorite was the jungle gym that sprayed water in all directions. On top was a large barrel that was constantly filling with water. When enough water was accumulated, it was tip over and drench any and everyone below.
At the end of the day the water is diverted from the swimming pools back to a hydro electric generating station. The pools slowly drain until they are empty. This is a sure way to make sure everyone leaves when closing time comes.
We packed up the car and headed back to San Salvador. As we left the swimming pools and drove down the road the we passed a field that we could not see, only smell, the air filled with the smell of celentro. Amazing.