Usulutan - Home for the next week.

After a nice breakfast at the hotel we all boarded 2 mini-vans for the 2 hour trip from San Salvador to Usulutan. We arrived at Hotel Campo Real. I had asked for a single room since I do not sleep well and am up many nights. The room was OK it has a TV that actually had 3 English speaking channels with Spanish subtitles of course.The hotel even had a swimming pool.

After getting settled in we had a lunch with the family that we were going to be building the house for. It was a Grandmother and 2 Grandchildren (Jessica and Oscar). That afternoon we were given orientation about the area and our family. The Grandmother worked for the "Mayor". Her job was that of a street cleaner. She was very proud of the fact she had a job working for the mayor.

After orientation we all went up town to the square. Here there was a large Catholic Church. Many of our group decided to attend the evening worship. Some of us choose to go down the street with Ronald our host from Habitat for Humanity. We stopped in at a local bar and visited. We tried the local brew but did not eat any food there as this was not an approved restaurant.

There was a celebration going on out in front of the church. We incurred the reason for the street entertainment. It seems one of the local ladies needed an operation so they were raising money to help pay her medical expenses. Some of us donated to the cause but again did not eat the street food. I was sure tempted to try a local pupusa. They were 3 for $1. We had been told not to eat food from unapproved vendors or to drink the local water. Since it was only day 1 in Usulutan it seemed not to be the time to press my luck.

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at the grocery store for snacks and beer. It seemed if someone was going to break the rules on this trip it was me. First my bags were the only bags searched at customs.
Now as we walk in to the grocery store I am stopped by an armed guard. It seems backpacks are not allowed in the store. So I had to take it out to the van so I could shop.

Back at the hotel we had dinner and settled in around the pool to visit and reflect on the day prior to heading off to bed.

Next the morning shower.