San Salvador & Costa Del sole visit - week 4 in El Salvador -

During our stay in Santa Ana, the hostel staff provided us with a leaflet of travel guides for San Salvador and recommended that we visit a historical district featuring a palace, churches, and monuments. We were intrigued since we had no prior knowledge of the area, so we decided to explore it before heading down to Costa del Sol. Fortunately, it was located along our route to the southern coastal spots, making it convenient to spend a few days admiring those beautiful buildings.

1. National palace of El Salvador.

The district was quite compact, making it easy to wander around. There was a large square surrounded by impressive buildings, one of which was the National Palace. Although we didn't go inside, the stunning interior view from the entrance was enough for us.

 2. Metropolice Cathedral,  Monument of Captain Gerardo and Rosalio church.

We arrived at the cathedral around noon, just as services were being held. Many congregants were attending, and it was fascinating for me to witness, as I practice Buddhism. One woman in front of me was praying intensely, clearly moved by her emotions—perhaps she was having a difficult day or had deep wishes. The layout of the church resembled a cross, featuring a long main hall and two smaller areas on both sides.

I regret not visiting Iglesia El Rosario, which is depicted in the bottom left photo. At first glance, its unique, curvy architecture made me think it was a commercial building rather than a church. I've heard that the light streaming through the windows is breathtaking, with no pillars to obstruct the view of the altar and the colorful religious imagery. It reminds me of Tadao Ando's Church of the Light, which uses concrete in a minimalist way rather than vibrant colours.

A pigeon attack! There were heaps of them flying to me one after another, perhaps they expected me to feed them. It was like Alfred Hitchcock's movie called The birds!

Here are some snapshots of the interesting architecture. The top left shows a building featuring moulded panels set into steel frames, which I found fascinating since I typically associate stones with traditional construction. In the top right photo, you can see remnants of a demolished building alongside another structure. I enjoy discovering the unique personalities of buildings and interiors, shaped by their histories and backgrounds.

3. The Sunset at Costa Del Sol.

Can you see the moon and Venus together in the photo below? It was stunning to witness them at sunset, and it’s a rarity for me to spot them together in the sky. Costa del Sol is a southern coastal town known for its endless beaches, which became our perfect getaway after a busy period filled with wedding parties, mountain climbing, and meeting new people. We wanted to unwind and cherish the precious experiences we had. Every day was adventurous and exciting, and now it was time to relax a bit.

4. Food of the week.
For most of our meals, we enjoyed seafood, traditional breakfasts, and other local dishes. I was initially concerned about food options for my partner as usual, as meat is a staple here, but luckily, many lovely restaurants offered diverse selections! The traditional breakfast consisted of beans, scrambled eggs, cheese, and bread, which we enjoyed daily. It was a high-protein meal that kept us energized! While we loved it, we also wanted more vegetables, so we especially enjoyed the seafood dishes that included grilled fish, salads, cooked rice, and tortillas. Eating rice was a joyful experience for me because I had missed it so much!