TRAVERSE 93
popped out holding two mangoes . “ Breakfast . Welcome to El
Salvador !”
The crumbling main road to San Miguel was boring except for the ramshackle stalls made of wooden poles , branches and plastic sheeting that lined it . Most were empty but some were selling fruit , homeroasted peanuts , and baked sweets , making me hungry .
Craving something more substantial , we pulled up at a small restaurant . As is so often the case in Central America , the music was turned up far too loud ; to attract the attention of potential customers , I suppose . So , we chose a table out front and watched as a small white delivery van dropped some boxes off . Before leaving again , the driver brought us a mango and wished us
“ Welcome to El Salvador ”. Then he thought better of it and returned to the van for two more mangoes “¡ buen provecho !”
While the wife prepared our grilled fish in the outdoor kitchen at the back , the husband brought us a free soup so we wouldn ’ t have to wait too long . When it was ready , the fish smelled delicious and tasted even better . We were about to finish when
TRAVERSE 93