We left Acajutla, El Salvador yesterday afternoon after an interesting tour inland to see the volcanoes and several of the inland villages. The countryside doesn’t seem to be quite as lush as Guatemala but still very fertile. Our guide was very free with his political opinions which were mainly that any and all problems we might hear about in El Salvador are either a product of the media reporting only negative news (not sure why he thought that was unique only to his country), corrupt politicians who refuse to spread the money as they should, Los Angeles took the rap for all local gang violence, large corporations who care only about their profits – not the people or the environment, industrious El Salvadorians who go to other countries to work and send money back to their families causing them to become lazy and unproductive, etc, etc. As I said, interesting.
Simply do not recall the name of the village we stopped at but it was a quaint little farm town. Took a number of pics of the street vendors. When we were first entering the town square, a funeral procession was just coming from the Church. Following the “hearse” were two men carrying a small white casket and then probably 30 or so mourners. Very somber.
In the market was a basket filled with the largest radishes you can possibly imagine. They were as fresh as they were big. Still afraid to eat the local food, I didn’t buy any but they looked wonderful. Certainly larger than any I have ever seen at the local HEB. A testament to our previous guide’s statement that if you stuck a stick in the ground here it would grow. Learned a Guatemalan saying from that guide. As we were nearing the ship and thus the conclusion of our tour he rattled off something in his native language then translated, “This rice is already been cooked.”
Had yet another fantastic dinner last night with our newest friends, Jerry & Monica Hall from Minnesota. We were having such a good time our server, Eric (by far my favorite), asked how long we had known each other. He couldn’t quite believe we weren’t life long friends. Unfortunately they are not on for the whole ride.
In an act of abundant caution, our China destinations have been eliminated. It seems we are now going to be allowed to travel to South Korea as previously scheduled. It was a little unsettling yesterday as we disembarked, masked officials (from where is unclear) took each persons temperature. One passenger was not allowed to go ashore. Still would rather NOT climb the Great Wall than contract coronavirus!
An observation. Cruise ships might want to rethink playing the theme from The Titanic in their Spa where they are trying to create a relaxing environment. Just saying.
Windy this morning so hit the treadmills. Not as much fun without my gossip buddy, but still must work off some of the thousands of calories we consume daily. Tommy also did some exercises for his shoulder. Had a breakfast of fruit and juice. No bread, no bacon. Did some more knitting but as yet have not seen one single skein of yard outside my stash brought from home.
Still attending the beginning bridge class. Wish I could say I was now a whiz at it but alas that would be a lie. Also have not yet mastered posting the many, many pictures we’ve taken. Hang in there with me, I still have almost 5 months.
By the time I learn to post pics here you will probably already have seen them from Tommy’s Facebook and Whats App posts.
This IS someday. Live it to the fullest!
2020 Around the World Tour 