Our last week in Costa del Sol - week 5 in El Salvador -

We had a holiday retreat to escape our bustling lives, and fortunately, we found the perfect spot that was peaceful yet accessible to the beach and nearby shops. I truly believe that the time spent doing nothing is the most luxurious gift, as it allows for a sense of safety and comfort. I had everything I needed, like food and water, to enjoy this downtime. That's why I appreciated it so much; we needed this break to recharge for our next adventures.

1. Tropical fruits journey.

The hostel staff generously provided us with fresh coconuts, and their natural sweetness was delightful. After I finished drinking the coconut water, he cut it in half so he could scoop out the flesh, which was a first for me and absolutely mind-blowing. He also introduced me to papaya. The first time, I enjoyed it as a salad seasoned with salt, pepper, and lime. The second time, they provided a larger portion, so I tried making the salad myself, resulting in a massive serving that could feed over four people!

The picture below features cashew nuts. To my surprise, the nut is on top of the fruit, not inside it like I had assumed. In the next photo, you can see the nuts, which need to be roasted to remove their skins before they resemble what we see in grocery stores. Each fruit has a story to tell, yet we often overlook these narratives while shopping for groceries.

2. San Marcelino Beach

San Marcelino Beach was our go-to spot, conveniently located near our hostel. It boasted a stretch of sparkling, dark-colored sand, but it was difficult to spot my flip-flap as they blended in. The sunset was breathtaking, with pink clouds reflecting the light. Restaurants lined the beach, so we enjoyed beers while taking in the beautiful view until darkness fell.

3. Night Beach Picnic at the Mouth of Jiboa River

The hostel staff were incredibly generous and friendly. They kindly offered to take us to the mouth of the Jiboa River and San Marcelino Beach at night to stargaze. We hopped in the back of a truck after 7 PM, and the ride was thrilling, with bumpy roads and a refreshing night breeze.

There were groups of people having bonfire parties or fishing in the dark. We settled down by a tree for some drinks and friendly chats. The hostel staff offered me local rum that tasted like vodka; their way of enjoying it reminded me of tequila shots — taking a sip of rum followed by orange juice and then biting into papaya.

I also walked with other ladies to the shoreline, where we had fun splashing around. The beach's landscape felt daunting at first, but I grew accustomed to it quickly and found the sound of the waves soothing.

4. Cooking and eating.

One e of the highlights of our trip was the food! We cooked various dishes, including pasta, stir-fried noodles, and even Mexican food, using a shared kitchen at the hostel. One particularly friendly staff member shared some local cuisine with us and explained the recipes for soup and pupusas, famous Salvadoran dishes.

She also shared her knowledge about tropical fruits and cooking, and we even began learning Spanish! In return, my partner taught her some English, creating a wonderful cultural exchange that I cherished.

According to her, the main ingredients here are beans, cheese, and eggs, commonly featured in dishes like soup, mashed beans on toast with cheese, scrambled eggs with vegetables, and rice with mashed beans. We felt lucky to enjoy authentic local food!

On another occasion, my partner cooked pasta with tuna tomato sauce and stir-fried noodles to share with her. The shared kitchen became a gathering place, and I believe local cuisines are a reflection of the climate, agriculture, and people in a condensed form. For example, dishes in tropical countries often lean towards sweetness, including drinks, because the sugar helps energize people in hot weather. In contrast, vodka in Russia serves to keep people warm. It's fascinating to consider the reasons behind different culinary traditions!

5. The Accomdation.

The accommodation included a large pool, a shared kitchen, and an alfresco area. Our room was spotless and fully equipped, so we had no issues at all; it felt fantastic! To top it off, we had the place almost entirely to ourselves, making it feel like our own private beach house!

6. The injuries.

Unfortunately, I sprained my finger in Santa Ana while descending a waterfall; I slipped on gravel and hurt my little finger, which remain swollen and painful. I feared it might be fractured or that a tendon might be torn. Then, two weeks later, I twisted my foot while entering the pool because I didn’t notice a tiny gap on the floor. Oops! I was shocked to have sustained two injuries in just two weeks! What was going on in my life?!

Once again, the hostel staff kindly offered to let me use their poultice made of honey and sugar, and I applied it every day while hoping, "My body will heal soon." I also crafted a tiny piece of bamboo given to me by my partner. 

7. The last meal and the last shot.

We went to the beach to watch the sunset and have our last dinner in Costa del Sol. As the sun went down, I thought that I was looking at this beautiful sunset in different places at different times. The earth is spinning.

We took our photos for our happy memories, and I truly feel we couldn't spend this meaningful and precious time without the hostel staffs! She made our stary special. We didn't have mutural language so google translator was our game changer, we chatted through the device and learnt Spanish! Thank you so much!