By Donald T. Lee





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 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, the coastal resort town of Bar Harbor,
Maine. 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 - Colonial Williamsburg. I should have
known even then, that I was destined to return.

I attended University in Boston and New York but found the academic world
and the turbulence surrounding it on the late 1960's didn't suit my fancy,
so 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. I’ve put my language skills to work translating
websites based in Latin America with a company called the ’Polygolots’.

After a long absence in Latin America, I returned to Guatemala from the
United States in 1986. Eight years later, the Peace Treaty that eliminated
Civil Conflict was signed in El Salvador. This restored tranquility to the
land making it, once again, an attractive place to live. Motivated by
family ties and the memory of its scenic beauty, I moved to El Salvador.

I worked as Tour Guide, Travel Writer and Trade and Travel Consultant
throughout Central America, much of it in the "Pre-Internet" era. And
while there seems to be no lack of modern amenities here I still love the
“other side” of Central America. The side 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 places…

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!

Many tourists come to El Salvador hoping to add to their list of sites to
see “their idea” of indigenous people, i.e. “Indians.” Instead they find
that the population is made up of “mestizos” or mixed-race people. I was
once hired to drive a woman from El Salvador to Guatemala. She wanted me
to drive down San Salvador’s Boulevard de los Heroes which is known for
its hustle and bustle and always filled with Salvadorians so that she
could take in the sites, so to speak. As we drove, I noticed that she was
becoming more and more agitate. When I gave her a questioning look she
shouted in desperation "But where are the Indians?!?" I merely answered
"Be patient and I'll take you to them tomorrow out in Panchimalco.”
Patience was obviously not this woman’s strong suite because she proceeded
to borrow my guidebook, and I later found out that she took off to Costa
Rica that afternoon on her own, taking my trusted guidebook with her.
Which of course, I never saw again...so finally, with a sense of humor; a
lesson in life: "Take it or leave it, but never lend it!"

About the Author

Donald Lee, 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 E mail him at
donaldlee@thepolyglots.com. At present Donald 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
Donald a question - Business or Pleasure Travel.

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