Common Sense advices for relocation/travel to El Salvador &a

tropicalguide — Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:05 pm

Author: tropicalguide

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:05 pm

One Man's Love Affair Between El Salvador and Guatemala

Originally I come from the U.S. but I have lived in Latin America since
the mid-1980's. I first visited relatives in El Salvador in the late 1960's and fell in
love with the Salvadorian coastal town, Puerto de La Libertad, because it
reminded me of my birthplace, A coastal resort town on coast of
Maine USA. I am also completely enamored with La Antigua, Guatemala, the
restored colonial Capital City of Central America, because it reminds me
of the town where I was raised - I should have
known even then, that I was destined to return.

I began an odyssey of working and traveling abroad in the 70's. I
visited both Europe and Latin America, which broadened my perspective and
my linguistic skills as I learned to be conversational in German, Spanish,
Portuguese and Polish.

After a long absence in Latin America, I returned to Guatemala from the
United States in 1986, wher I became a Travel Guide & Interpreter for visitors to "The Land of Eternal Spring".
Eight years later, the Peace Treaty that eliminated the
"Civil Conflict" was signed in neighboring El Salvador. This restored tranquility to the
land making it, once again, an attractive place to live. Motivated by my
family ties and the memory of its scenic beauty, I returned to reside to El Salvador.

I labored for years as Tour Guide, Travel Writer and Trade and Travel Consultant
throughout Central America, some of it in the "Pre-Internet" era. In this year of 2005,
while there seems to be no lack of modern amenities here in the cities and large towns, I still love the
“other side” of Central America. The off the beaten path dappled with colonial villages,
where time has stood still and oxcarts still ply narrow roads. Uncrowded
and exotic hidden coves, beaches, bays and mangroves lay in wait to
overwhelm you with their beauty. Coconut and coffee plantations color the
country side with their abundance. And Mayan ruins are scattered
carelessly by histories hand, including Joya de Ceren in El Salvador,
which is the "Pompeii of the Americas." A typical Mayan Village buried
beneath Volcanic Ash for 1400 years; the only site of kind in the
Americas. The Copan Ruins in neighboring Honduras is considered the 'Jewel
of the Mayan World'. These are a few of my favorite placesÂ…

Towns and villages dedicated to the elaboration of arts and crafts are
spread all over the Central American Isthmus. I know of towns located less
than a couple hours drive from San Salvador's bustling boulevards where
horses and oxcarts often outnumber vehicles! And for adventurers there are
Volcanoes, Volcanoes and more Volcanoes. With the exception of Honduras,
you will be able to spy their cones in every Central American country and
a few are still active!

About the Author
a US Citizen and Ex Pat resident in Central America since 1986
is a Trade and Travel Consultant for all things Latin American. For
questions or tour information feel free to contact him. At present the writer is developing another travel
site specializing in Latin Travel and requires your feedback if you have
"been there and done that" or planning to return again. Of course, If you
are a first time traveler ("newbie") to the region do not hesitate to ask

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Common Sense advices for relocation/travel to El Salvador &a