Our trip to El Salvador started this morning at 8:30 via a van. Because it is Saturday the usual 45 minute drive to Guatemala City took about 2 hours due to traffic. We had some time to kill in Guatemala so we walked to a nearby mall. There were three teams of World Racers that entered the mall at the same time and I’m sure we looked like we had never been in a mall before. Our heads bobbed back and forth checking out the stores and restaurants. My eyes actually became dizzy from all of the visual stimulation. It was strange to be in a mall setting again. Upon leaving the mall a fighter jet soared overhead. There have been fighter jets and helicopters in the area because President Bush will be visiting tomorrow. We missed him by one day.
The bus ride took us through dry vegetation, mountains, and curvy roads. At one point we passed a volcano with glowing red lava rivers trailing down the peak. The border official checked out our passports before we could cross into El Salvador. One of the girls had a temporary passport because hers was stolen in Antigua. The officials gave her a hard time because she did not have a Guatemala stamp. We prayed as they took her to the office to decide what to do. About 45 minutes and $25 later she was allowed to board the bus. Our total travel time on the bus was about 6 hours which puts us at 8 hours for the day.
