Leaving Guatemala, we were in coming back into a time crunch and a more destination oriented trip. This would mean we wouldn't be taking as much time to sit in one place to allow people and situations to develop. This troubled us a bit, seeing as so much of the film was about the slowing down to let the world unfold to you. However, it was an undeniable reality and therefore also part of the process.
Above, speeding towards the Guatemala-El Salvador border at Las Chinama lovely clouds covered the sky.


Arriving in San Salvador at dusk we ran into some trouble. We had directions, but somehow took a wrong turn and with only a map of the country and no idea of the city's roadways, it became clear that we were lost. What to do? Why, something that you need to become pretty good at doing in a foreign land: ask for directions.
The first person we stopped to ask was a young guy walking down the sidewalk. When we told him where we wanted to go, he said that we were on the other side of the city from where we wanted to be. He then told us, he was just on his way to the Chinese restaurant where he was a delivery guy, and if we could wait a few minutes he would guide us there himself. How could we refuse? We gave him a lift to his work which was a few blocks away and then he went in to grab the keys for his bike and his helmet. He was out quickly and on his motorbike and off down the street before his helmet was on.
Above, our man shepherding us through rushhour traffic on firday in San Salvador.

After 20 minutes, we were at the place we were supposed to rendez-vous with a friend of my grandparents from the 1950s when they lived in the city for a while. Now, all we needed to do was contact her and let her know that. Once again, our delivery dude was at our service. He said he had a cell phone but no minutes, if we had a buck he could put some money on his phone and then we could call her.
When everything was sorted and we were to part ways, we asked our shepherd what he wanted for a tip. He said it was not necessary. We asked him to take ten USD for his trouble. He refused. Finally, we insisted that he take the money for his kindness and he relented.
We have been so fortunate to be met by helpful people whereever we have gone, however it never ceases to amaze. Gratitude is the overriding feeling here.
Above, our shepherd strikes a pose before tearing off back to the Chinese resto. Remember that delivery number!


Finally we met up with Joy Mejia. Joy is a woman in her 80s who has more gusto and vivacity than people a fraction of her age. If you described her as formidable and colourful you'd be dangerously close to an understatement. You don't start a conversation with her, you just try to keep up!
Sadly because of our getting lost we didn't have more than a few hours to visit with Joy at the beautiful finca (farm or acreage) that her father a Canadian ambassador had built over 50 years prior just before the Pan American Highway went through. In that time we talked about everything from local politics, to family planning in the country, to art and broadway theatre!
Above, Joy with Dan and I on her terrace from which on a clear day you can see the volcano that is just north of the city. Close to this volcano, was a rebel headquarters during the 1980s after the 1979 coup.



Joy is very connected to art. Besides owning a small gallery, her house is full of all kinds of cool art. Above is an example of this. Some of her childhood books that she has had rebound to save them. Pretty cool, especially the "Jack The Giant Killer" book which had pop-ups!
Bidding Joy and the finca goodbye, we made for Honduras.