Monthly Archives: March 2013

Festival in Juayua, El Salvador

Posted on March 13, 2013 by erikamae82

We’ve made it to the weekend food festival to see what we can find while exploring the tiny streets of Juayua, El Salvador. This celebration happens weekly and brings other locals in as well as the random backpacker or traveling photographer.

Instead of the usual “story”, I’m going to break this post down into easy to view sections to give you a clear idea of this energetic day. You really cant make a wrong turn as you follow the streets lined with venders, music, people, and entertainment. So, please turn on your mind and open your eyes as you enjoy these photos!
I’m going to start out with my two favorite pictures of the day that capture the essence of the youth to the elderly of this brilliant village.

Entertainment! As you devour the local food and shop through the vendors, there is constantly stimulation all around you.

Care to get your nails done mid festival?

I’m sure you’re hungry by now…

Crazy corn! On the cob drizzled with a mustard mixture and red sauce then rolled in parmesan.

This is a lettuce bowl lined with boiled yuca, topped with coleslaw, salsa and chicharrón (fried pieces of pork rind or some kind of fatty fried pork… Yeh, not for me).

Snow cones!

Tamarind balls coated in sugar.

Fruit and veggies (my favorite!)

Finally, let’s just take a stroll and see what the streets have to say.

New friends…

…and a handstand of course!

I’ll leave you with my “creative” photo from the day. Thank you Juayua!

Categories: Art, Edibles!, Travel talk, Uncategorized | Tags: crazy corn, Dancing, El Salvador, Festival, food, handstand, Juayua, Music, weekend | Leave a comment

Los Chorros de Juayua

Posted on March 12, 2013 by erikamae82

Good morning and welcome to a vibrant day in the village of Juayua! Before mom and I head out for the food festival, I wanted to explore the well know “Los Chorros de Juayua”. These are natural springs that run down a hillside combined with man-made damns for little swimming holes. These waterfalls draw in small crowds for a chilly dip or a hike to treat the lovers of nature.

The trek starts with a view of what seems like a never ending jungle of green with sounds of birds, bugs and the faint music of running water.

As you get deeper into the brush, the first sight of water presents itself and brings a peaceful sense of just being.

I did this trek on my own which kept me giggling at every option that either led to a locked gate or sketchy crossing. With confidence in the path chosen, I just keep on moving!

As I approached this crossroad, I could hear joyful people coming from above the sound of rushing water. I made it in time to find some local kids and a sweet couple enjoying the beauty of the elements around us.

After watching me take pictures as if I’ve never seen a waterfall before, they invite me to join them and jump in… Done!

Found out (by accident) that my underwater camera feature works. I’ll have to play around with it more often!

As I checked out the final set of falls, I found these kids showing off their bravery skills. Much fun to be had in El Salvador on such a bright day!

As I started my trek back, these happy fellas helped me out with a handstand shot.

Natural Earth + Warm Sun + Crisp Water = A glorious start to a day I’m so grateful for.

Categories: Fitness, Uncategorized | Tags: Juayua, Los Chorros de Juayua, swimming holes, waterfalls | 1 Comment

6 buses, 1 mini taxi and French Salvadorian food

Posted on March 11, 2013 by erikamae82

We’ve seen the city, ate on the coast, stayed in the jungle and now we’re off to a small village called Juayua (sounds like “why-you-uh”). It’s about 3 hours by bus northwest of San Salvador and is known for their food festival and waterfalls, sign me up!
We could of payed for the easy route, but moms with me now (sneaky giggle here) so backpacker style we go with 4 bus transfers and a 9 block walk, totaling $1.70 start to finish.
Lucky for us, Walter was heading in the same direction so we got to tag along with a local for the trip. Let’s begin!

We start with a walk to the end of our block and catch #52 for $0.20 I would of snapped photos inside the bus, but it was standing room only which required a death grip on anything in site as the driver took this thing for what felt like drunken joy ride.

Next is a quick walk passing these mini venders to hop on the next bus numbered 4 at $0.25. Ps, it’s 6:30 in the morning.

For the third transfer we’re on a larger bus that takes us about an hour farther in our journey for $0.75. Here’s the bus terminal as we depart with a few pictures from the trip to our final bus.

Woohoo, final bus at $0.50. Not the one in the photo, I just got a kick out of all the bling. Check out the crowds and the goodies that they offer. Each time the bus stops, a few locals will hop on selling candy, fruit, bread or juice.

We finally arrive to our hostel in Juayua (description later) just long enough to throw down our bags and head off to a highly recommended restaurant in the side town of A’Taco. Side town? Yes, meaning another bus! I’m stoked and mom is… ready to eat. This bus included the usual sale of goodies and a mini taxi ride to follow.

Finally made it to our colorful dainty restaurant for some fun eats and tasty drinks. Introducing El Botón!

You may question our choice of French food in El Salvador, so let me explain. Tomorrow we’ll be walking the streets at a local festival eating from all of the venders plus, this magnificent place is known for organic goat cheese (made right here) and their sangria. Enough said.

Time for a handstand shot and a quick sample offered from a local woman who saw me trying to peak at what she was eating. The following picture of mom is while we were waiting for the bus home. Can you find our new friend? These are just a few examples of the kind people that compliment this beautiful country.

Finally the bus ride back for a good night of rest before the food festival. They always say “Do as the locals do”. So I did.

Categories: Art, Edibles!, Travel talk, Uncategorized | Tags: A'Taco, buses, El botón, Festival, French food, Juayua, San Salvador, Sangria, treats | 2 Comments

Puerto de La Libertad

Posted on March 10, 2013 by erikamae82

When you go to the average restaurant and see “catch of the day” or “fresh fish plate” on the menu, I feel it might be better titled as “the most recently de-thawed” or “the plate of whatever we stocked too much of”. Not here in La Libertad! You actually get to walk the pier as the fisherman are bringing back the load of the morning. You have the choice to buy your protein right there and carry it to a vender or have a seat in one of the cafe’s that line the water and order from their grill.

Here’s what you’ll find as you walk to the end of the dock and back.

I’m sure some of you may have lost your appetite after that fresh walk and for the rest of you, you’re ready for some delicious ceviche! Although I’m all about diggin in the local way, I wasn’t confident picking out a slab from the dock to cook ourselves, so we treat our hunger to one of the open air restaurants along the water.

I went with the white fish ceviche and mom had shrimp in a pink sauce (that came out of a mason jar with no label, got to love it!) A local sat down next to us and suggested the papas fritas with a cervesa and tequilla to compliment it all. No arm twist neccesary as we toast to our “catch of the day”. All of this for $11, score!

With full belly’s and happy hearts we board the bus heading back to the city. A roundtrip ticket from San Salvador to the coast of La Libertdad is a whopping $1.20.

How do you pass the time on another bus ride besides gazing out the window and snapping random photos? With some giggles and a game! I held the camera up and we took turns saying an animal or person. With no reaction time allowed, I snapped each photo of our first response. Here are a few of our favorites.

Fish!

Rabbit!

Horse!

Elvis Presley! (Done poorly)

Jim Carrey!

Wrapping up our game and realizing we were providing the free entertainment for the other passengers, we’re back to the hostel. Traveled, fed, happy and tired… all for $13.40 total. Perfect!

Categories: Edibles!, Uncategorized | Tags: Bus, ceviche, El Salvador, fish, Fresh, la libertad, market, ocean, papas fritas, shrimp | 1 Comment

An unexpected day with the locals!

Posted on March 8, 2013 by erikamae82

Returning to the city we find our hands already busy by helping the owners of the hostel prepare for a birthday party. Nati is turning 3 and here was our experience with the celebration!

The food for the guests was fresh fruit and a homemade chicken sandwich. Everything was made from scratch including the soft roll and the layered coleslaw. The orange soda is called Kolashanpan and if you like cream soda, you’ll love this local gem!

Let’s not forget the vanilla cake that was layered with dulce de leche, a common caramel flavor in Central and South America.

The following day we were treated with an invitation by Gladis (the owner of the hostel) to join her on an outing. Where? We have no idea, but that made it even more intriguing!

We had told her of our desire to volunteer so she was taking us to some local churches and orphanages to see if they needed any help. We collected contact info for the next week of opportunities and got to see a part of the city in which isn’t in your usual guide book.

We were so thankful for this unexpected journey and even more grateful as they treated us to view a hill that’s only known to the locals. It’s full of food, drinks, music and markets!

If you ever come to El Salvador, be prepared to partake in their traditional dish if pupusas. A corn or rice tortilla wrapped around the filling of your choice, we went for bean and cheese. The salsa is a spicy slaw accompanied by a tomato based sauce.

For a desert or sweet snack it’s hot cocoa and quesadilla. Let’s clarify here, a quesadilla is not a flour tortilla with melted cheese (as us adorable North Americans call it). It’s a fluffy sweet bread flavored with a small amount of cheese and sugar.

Thank you dear Gladis, Malcom and Jose for our wonderful excursion of local eats, treats and sights that usually go unseen!

Categories: Art, Edibles!, Uncategorized | Tags: birthday party, casadilla, church, cocoa, grafiti, market, orphanage, pupsas, salsa, San Salvador | Leave a comment

Last 12 hours at the Tropical Farm

Posted on March 4, 2013 by erikamae82

Although these pictures will give you a decent idea of the eventful night in the jungle, I highly suggest making time to read the descriptions as the adventure continues…

I’m pleased as they show us our room for it has all of the necessities with four walls, a ceiling, a window, a bed and a door. I toss our bag to the floor and turn to see my mom intensely staring at the ceiling.

I see absolutely nothing so I make the mistake of asking, “What is it?”. Now when you’re dealing with someone who is, let’s say imaginative, you have to constantly evaluate the true seriousness. She explains her thoughts of what might be living in there and what could possibly crawl down during the night. Oh dear… It has begun.

Trying to explain to her that the bugs mean no harm is like trying to convince… well, you get it. After pointing out a few critters that she didn’t want to sleep with, we do a quick brush through. “Killing” things really isn’t my forte, so here’s a few “attempts” just for her peace of mind.

After reassuring her that we’ve gotten most of the crawling, flying and jumping creatures out of the room, I get a smile from her as we leave to go help with dinner.

Tonight’s menu is homemade tortilla bread, grilled veggies, sprouted beans and scrumptious hot oil made by sweet Gloria. The drink to complement this flavorful meal was fresh chestnut juice!

Check out the herbs we added straight from the garden, scrumptious! After we rolled it out fairly thin they through it over the grill. Are you jealous?

As we turn in for the night, I ask for a mosquito net. Mostly for moms sake (last year she survived dengue fever after being bitten) and partially for my sanity, as I wouldn’t get any sleep with her swatting flying objects all night.

Turns out I’m a solid 2 feet shy of hanging it, so we call in the other volunteers to help us secure our protective gear.

Does she look convinced?

Sweet dreams (ha…ha…ha).

Our morning coffee was accompanied by the fella in the first photo and I almost grabbed the second one that was headed towards my backpack. Not to mention the jumping spider that we lost track of last night.

After the exhausting night and eight legged company with coffee, the decision is made to leave the farm. The bags are packed and you can see sadness in our eyes as we head out. Must keep faith there’s a greater reason and positive purpose in the new path ahead!
Thank you Gloria, Mauricio, Chilly Willy and the other volunteers that made the last 24 hours a memorable event!

Categories: Accommodations, Edibles!, Uncategorized | Tags: dinner, homemade bread, mosquitio, net, scorpion, spider, tropical farm, vegetables | 1 Comment

Introducing the Tropical Farm!

Posted on March 3, 2013 by erikamae82

The morning starts off with a bus ride in which my brave mother followed my lead and took a seat. With one brow up, she was on high alert until eventually realizing that it’s all going to be ok… for now. (Enter mischievous grin here).

We get off at the appropriate stop to find our host Mauricio and a motor bike. He instructs mom to climb in behind him and for me to hop on the back with my gear (a backpack with all of our belongings in it). I didn’t snap any pictures of this circus, but it was extremely entertaining to me… As for mom, not so much. With a smile inside my helmet, I take in the surroundings as we make our way towards the farm.

Arrival to our new home, HARE KRSNA ORGANIC TROPICAL HOUSE!

We got an informative tour as Mauricio explains that everything you see on the property was either made from volunteers or the local kids using recycled material. Check it out!

All of the stone that’s used in this kitchen was collected from the side roads and within the village. The cylinder container was created with bamboo and broken glass that was cleaned off the streets.

As for the decor? It’s all recycled goods that’s been donated by creative people passing through. I even pitched in with a piece that I’ve been carrying for this entire journey.

Off to the garden to do some watering or for some of us, “aquatic organic therapy”.

This is our clean water tower followed by pictures that take you along the path to the outdoor “tropical shower”.

As the sun starts to set, we’re shown to our room and this my friends… this is when the experience begins to take a turn for my dear mom. Before leaving the states, we had a conversation in regards to the reality of volunteering in Central America. We discussed subjects such as limited food options, less comfortable accommodations, variety of transportation and the challenges of foreign language. Oh how we quickly learn that you can only prepare for so much, as the rest requires a flexible attitude and open mind!

With that said, I feel there are too many quality photos starting from dinner to the long night that’s ahead. I’m actually going to put it in a completely separate (and well deserved) post.

Until the next 12 hours on the farm, I’ll leave you with a couple of photos that find me enjoying a moment in one of the many hammocks.

Categories: Accommodations, Art, Edibles!, Uncategorized | Tags: Bus, farm, food, hammock, jungle, organic, scorpion, shower toilet, spider, walk | Leave a comment

Monthly Archives: March 2013

Festival in Juayua, El Salvador

Los Chorros de Juayua

6 buses, 1 mini taxi and French Salvadorian food

Puerto de La Libertad

An unexpected day with the locals!

Last 12 hours at the Tropical Farm

Introducing the Tropical Farm!

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