For as long as I can remember I have had friends from El Salvador, but I really got to know a lot about El Salvador when I met one of my good friends, Jose Pineda. Jose and I used to work in this seafood restaurant called London Lennie's in Queens NY (some of the best Seafood you will ever have). When I worked there I met guys from all over, Marino was Dominican, Raul (the fish guy) was from Ecuador, Kai was from Thailand there even was a Brazilian guy (whose name escapes me) who worked the oyster bar.
When we were peeling shrimp, cleaning squid and making crab stuffing, a lot of great conversation happens and I got to hear about a lot of the beautiful places in El Salvador as well as the terrible things that happened as a result of the war. I always wondered why we never get to see some of the beautiful places that I had heard of in Jose's stories. When I pledged my fraternity, I got to meet many brothers, and they too taught me about many aspects of Salvadoran culture.
I always wanted to take a moment to share this clip I found on You Tube with you, because if you are not from El Salvador, you probably do not know much more than the stories about the war and other gang related stuff…here is a side of El Salvador that you never get to see.
Are you from El Salvador? Please let us know more about where you are from…culture & traditions…please leave a comment below.
Special heartfelt saludos to all my Salvadoran friends…especially my frat brothers, Ambicioso, Cusqui, (any any other "guanacos" en la familia), my dear friend Liz Perez (at least 1/2 of her), Yvette from Califas, Jose Pineda (my compai even though my god daughter is in heaven) and so many more.
Buen Provecho!
As I am,
George Torres
The Urban Jibaro
Quivo…un saludo Salvadoreno,
Your right people only hear about the bad that goes on in El Salvador. But, the country has so much to offer, just like the video, the sights are beautiful, the warm waters, the beaches the waterfalls, the ruins, the jungles, yes, jungles that you can drive a 4x4jeep thru and catch sights of those colorful parrots, the food,the people who are warm and welcoming. Every chance I get Im there.
my parents live in a small town, my dads grandfather founder of the town, where everyone knows your name(ohh that reminded me of the show Cheers) I remember the first time I went to visit my parents after they retired and moved back home,one evening we were sittig on the porch, everyone that walked by would address my parents
“buenas noche, Don **and Nina** ” and after so many goodnights I asked my dad how many more goodnights do I have to say. Es la costumbre,he told me..its part of the culture, along with so many more..a culture that is inviting and intriging. If anyone every gets the chance, head to El Salvador.
I will be calling the travel agent in the morning..
Que tenga una buena noche Don Jorge
wow this is a breath of fresh air after all the negatives one hears about El Salvador. I too, though have a heart for this country as I taugtht El Salvoadorian inmates and now want to travel to this country. Please anyone who can help with info, etc, I would love to talk more. Valerie.. I am German but taught ESL in the prisons.
valzderemer@yahoo.com