#2. FINDING PARADISE

OUR FIRST TRIP TO EL SALVADOR

In 2020, Jim and I embarked on a quest for tranquility, seeking a home far from the hustle and bustle, deep in the natural beauty of Dordogne, France. We found our dream house, but the arrival of COVID-19 shifted our perspective. We didn't want to live in a country where someone like Macron held the reins.

Jim had been following Max Keiser, a well-known American broadcaster and Bitcoin advocate, for over two decades. Keiser, who has made significant contributions to financial journalism and is famous for his "Keiser Report" on RT, helped us discover President Bukele's Twitter account. Bukele's vision and approach resonated with us, prompting us to explore El Salvador as our potential new home. However, travel restrictions due to our unvaccinated status and the need to salvage our businesses from the economic downturn caused by the COVID madness delayed our plans until October 2023.

Our journey began with a flight from Brussels to Madrid, then Guatemala, and finally to El Salvador. During a layover in Guatemala, we met Luis and Cristina, who were returning from Madrid. Because Cristina was, like us, an event professional and their son was studying music management, we resonated really well with them. We exchanged contacts, and they became our invaluable guides during our stay, even joining us for a really nice dinner at Hacienda Real, a renowned steak restaurant in El Salvador. That night, Cristina and I became partners in crime for something really cool. What that was, will be disclosed in the next chapter! But we felt that a friendship was born, and we decided to keep in touch after we had left El Salvador.

Our adventures continued with Manuel, our taxi driver, who not only transported us but also became a friend, showing us hidden gems of the country. His insights into local life were invaluable. So as with Luis and Cristina, we decided to keep in touch with him as well after we had returned to Belgium.

El Salvador captivated us with its stunning landscapes and the warmth of its people, regardless of economic status. Here, a simple greeting from strangers was common, a stark contrast to our experiences back home in Belgium. The sense of community and optimism for the future was palpable, a refreshing change from the apprehension we felt in Europe.

We dressed modestly to blend in, avoiding the label of 'rich tourists' or 'Bitcoiners', eager to engage with locals and understand their true feelings about their country. The pride Salvadorans felt for their nation and their president was something we, as Westerners, found surprisingly endearing. In El Salvador, people wear their national pride on their sleeves, quite literally with T-shirts and caps, a stark contrast to our reluctance to show similar sentiments for our leaders back home.

One of the highlights was our day in Surf City, a vibrant coastal town that has become a mecca for surf enthusiasts and tourists. We started our day by walking along the pristine beaches where the waves were already inviting surfers to challenge them. We decided to spend some time on one of the many beachside terraces, sipping on fresh coconut water while enjoying the laid-back vibe and local dishes.

The atmosphere in Surf City was a delightful blend of relaxation and excitement. We rented a scooter to explore further, cruising along the coastal road with the sea breeze as our constant companion. This allowed us to visit small local spots, from quaint cafes serving traditional Salvadoran pupusas to artisan stalls with local products. The town was alive with music, with several groups playing local tunes, adding to the festive mood. As the sun began to set, we watched the surfers catch the last waves of the day against a backdrop of a stunning sunset, creating a picturesque scene that felt like it was straight out of a postcard.

Another day was dedicated to climbing the Izalco volcano, which turned into an epic adventure. We started our journey through the dense jungle, which provided us with some shade. Our guide set a brisk pace, but we managed quite well to keep up. The other couple joining us on this trek was really struggling with the terrain and the pace. At one point, the woman in the couple was overwhelmed by the difficulty and began to cry, leading our guide to arrange for her and her partner to be escorted back to the starting point by colleagues. This meant we had to wait, which cost precious time. When we finally reached the foot of the volcano, the sight of the steep ascent was daunting. Jim and I, both nearing fifty and not in peak physical condition, faced a significant challenge. We started the climb but had to take frequent breaks every ten minutes or so due to the incline, the difficult terrain, and the heat radiating off the black volcanic rock.

Unfortunately, we had to admit defeat when we realized we wouldn't make it back before sunset, which would be unsafe, so we turned back. But then, all of a sudden, during our climb back up through the jungle, it started to rain. This rain was not just a drizzle, or rain like we know it in Europe, but a torrential downpour, soaking us through as we made our way back to the start. The taxi ride back to our hotel in San Salvador was memorable, with our wet clothes drenching the seat, leading to laughter and stories we still share today. Jim and I vowed that one day we would return and conquer Izalco!

Leaving El Salvador was bittersweet, but we knew we had found a place that, one day not too far in the future, we would be calling 'home'.

This journey was not just about finding a new place to live but about discovering a community where hope and warmth prevail, setting the stage for a new chapter in our lives.

(Click on my profile to read more stories about our adventure)