Day Four: White Sand, Big Waves, and the Journey Home.

Day Four: Concepcion de Ataco to Costa Del Sol via San Salvador

Central America or the USA?

Our last day in El Salvador started with a quick jaunt through the nation's capital, San Salvador. One of the largest - and most dangerous - cities in Latin America, San Salvador stands in stark contrast to the rest of El Salvador. Here, rural roads turn into multi-lane freeways and markets into upscale malls filled with American chain stores and fast-food restaurants. Most of the city is still dirt poor, but the pace (and some would argue the entire nature) of life is completely different. We ate breakfast at Pollo Campero, a Guatemalan fast food chain that specializes in fried chicken. Unlike their American counterparts, fast food restaurants in Central America are actually viewed as upscale places to eat. The wealthy flock to exotic names like McDonald's and Domino's Pizza (which have table service with real menus, plates, and silverware) to get their fix of "American" food, a somewhat expensive luxury that only a small percentage of the population can afford.

Relaxing in Costa Del Sol.

Another hour's drive took us to Costa Del Sol, a popular beach town located smack in the middle of El Salvador's 200-mile long Pacific coastline. El Salvador's coastline is known for it's wide, sandy beaches and amazing surf; Costa Del Sol is no exception to this. We bought day passes at a hotel on the beach (which we ended up having completely to ourselves) and settled in for a restful afternoon. Our day was spent lounging in hammocks, eating fresh seafood, swimming in the ocean, and even doing a little surfing. It was a fitting in to an amazing trip; a chance to relax and reflect on all that we had seen in our short visit. Soon, it was time for Jordan and I to head back to the airport for our flight back to the States. We said our good-byes to Jed and Flor, and as they pulled away from the curb, we couldn't help but wonder where our next adventure would be.