Suchitoto - photos 1

Suchitoto:

After Santa Ana, we head off to Suchitoto, 47km north of San Salvador and situated on the Suchitlán lake. Suchitoto was founded in 1528 by the Spaniard (like the second "Villa of San Salvador") and is known around El Salvador for its church and for its cobblestone roads (one of the few places in El Salvador with cobblestone roads). Due to its closeness with San Salvador it is a very popular weekend destination for Salvadorans. It has broad cultural activities such as art galleries, cultural centers, and handcrafts.

When we reached Suchitoto and its main plaza, we were surrounded by peace. It was 4pm and it was very hot. Few peoples were around the plaza and the atmosphere was so peaceful. We found an hostel with lake views also very relaxing. The town was very charming with its colonial buildings and streets. We went to walk around the lake Suchitlan which is an artificial lake created in 1973 and formed in the Lempa River and the Cerron Grande dam and we visited the Los Tercios waterfalls. We went also to visit the village of Cinquera and its forest both charged of souvenir of the Civil War. We were in Suchitoto for the anniversary of the assassinate of Monsenor Oscar Romero and a celebration was given in his honor. We participated too to a tombola whose price was a bedside lamp!!! We were dissapointed not to win of course...but what to do in our backpack with a lamp!!!

- The main plaza in Suchitoto with in the background the church built in the 19th century so no during the colonial era as lots of people think. How quiet looks this place...
- The other plaza of the town was the Parque San Martin,
- The amazing waterfall Los Tercios. There was no water because it was the dry season but the natural piling-up of the granite stones was enough on its own for a visit. Due to some robbery problem, we needed to be accompanied by the local police. Walking in the streets with an escort of 3 policemen (2 in front, 1 in the back) was not very comfortable! Hopefully just before reaching the waterfall, we met a German Lady, Helen, who did the way back with us so we were feeling better. We spent the rest of the afternoon chatting with her in English but her French was very good and we hope her a nice trip.
- The balcony of our hostel with in the background the Suchitlan Lake. Relaxing in the hammock, playing cards looking at the lake were activities we liked to do here! If we could we will have stayed an eternity here...
- Part of the celebrations for the anniversary of the death of the Archbishop Oscar Romero. Traditional dances with typical costumes were organised as well as lots of testimonies from local people who knew Monsenor Romero.