El Tunco!

El Tunco!

For the first time on this trip I can finally say I  feel totally relaxed. The small surf town of El Tunco, El Salvador, has been a great new home to settle in to. After weeks of riding long hours on the bike it feels wonderful to wake up knowing I can fill my days with reading and writing, relaxing and exploring. El Tunco sits on a small stretch of beach, with a large point on one end that creates an excellent break water for surfing. Through out the day the waves break perfectly and you can see surfers riding them whether it's high or low tide. During the week El Tunco is pretty quiet, mostly filled with  locals and surfers and a few tourists here and there. Most of the shops and restaurants shut down early and a couple hours after dark most everyone is asleep. The days start with the sun and by 5:15 am there are already 20 or 30 surfers out on the waves. I've really enjoyed shifting my sleep patterns and waking up early. There is something very energizing about waking up with the sun, embracing the day. Nate and I found a great little hotel that's right on the beach and we each got a room overlooking the ocean with a small balcony. I've been working out in the mornings on my balcony with the waves crashing  50 feet away. It's peaceful here and I find myself relaxing in the same places day after day. It's nice feeling like I have my private areas that I can go to and recharge my batteries.We'll be in El Tunco till the middle of June, so I'm very much looking forward to getting in a new daily rhythm. The weekend scene if much different here. There are many more people, a lot Salvadorians come to the beach from San Salvador and other cities close by and the weekend surfers show up from all over. The bars and the clubs stay open later and the overall vibe of the town carries much more energy. Music can be heard through the streets and the beaches fill up with families and couples, enjoying all the ocean has to offer. It's a nice change of pace from the week. Even though I haven't been here long I've already made friends with the local people I see everyday. Nate and I have found our favorite places to eat, the best deals on the streets for Papusas, burritos and ice cream, cheap beer as well as the wifi hot spots where we can work and write. Sometimes I find my self just smiling, realizing where I am how I've traveled. here. I've only been on the road for about 6 weeks and yet it feels as if I've been traveling for a year already since we've covered over 5,000 miles and seen so much. It feels good knowing I'm on this journey and not just planning it any more. I'm really trying to balance each day and remember it's an opportunity to learn and grow and experience new cultures.There is so much to experience and see and I'm doing my best to soak it all up.

Over all our time in El Salvador has been really great so far. The people are friendly and the energy of the country is welcoming. With the help of our local friends (long time friends of Nate's from his previous trips to El Salvador) we've been able to see different parts of the country. We've taken trips to the volcano, different beaches, lakes and private clubs as well as visits back to San Salvador to catch a movie and a home cooked meal. I feel very fortunate to be where I am and have the generosity of friends around me. Not many people get the opportunity to do what I'm doing and I'm always humbled by my exposure to this reality. Traveling through the streets of San Salvador you don't have to look far before you see the harsh living situations that so many families endure everyday. There are many roadside shanties, small houses built out of scrap metal, wood and cement blocks. Most have little more space than a small room with a dirt floor and it's not uncommon for one of the walls to be open to the out doors. It's a stark contrast from where I'm sitting right now, pool side with hammocks and beautiful palm trees over head providing shade from the afternoon sun. I remind myself to appreciate everything I have and live each day to the fullest.