As the other missionaries drove off Monday morning, the 5th, we felt at peace with not going with them. We had tried all we could to get our Visa's and for some reason we were not to go. So we made our own vacation. These two weeks the temple is closed for deep cleaning. Each temple is closed for two weeks twice a year. What we didn't know was that our apartments had to be cleaned also. We were asked when we would be gone for a day so they could come in and clean. We set up a trip for Thursday with a taxi driver that the church office here uses a lot and they recommended him. We left at 8:00 AM and returned around 5:30 PM. He took us to Santa Ana to the town square where we visited the 100 year old Catholic Cathedral, picture #1. It was huge with pigeons all over and around it. We were able to go inside and see the work they are doing to restore it. Beautiful. We visited one the the Mayan Pyramids here, the Ruins of Tazumal. These were in Chalchuapa and our driver had lived there as a boy. He was a great guide. He didn't drive too fast either so you could really enjoy the country side. I'm not sure the car would go too fast. It was an "Uncle Buck" car with the black smoke, wabbly tires, no air conditioning ( it is only 94 here now). We visited the Lago de Coatepeque, picture #2. The water was crystal clear but no boats. The lake is in a volcanic crater and has houses all around the edges but no boats. He drove us down town through the center with the open market. What a mess of people and stores. It is not safe for us to go there alone and he would only drive us through it with the instructions that we would not stop. I would hate to have to shop with all those people pushing and shoving. It was a jungle. We ended up at the Puerto del Diablo, the Devils Gate. It is in the mountains with rock climbing and a zip line and of course pupusas. Picture #3 shows the pupusas being cooked over an open fire. The restaurant was made of rock picture #4, and all the tables and chairs were rock. We were invited to a family's home for supper on Friday. We had a typical San Salvadorian meal, Tamales (only corn meal) platanos (fried bananas) carne asada (fried beef) refried beans (red beans here) and tortilla's. Saturday night another family took us out for pupusas. That was an experience. The town, Planes de Renderos, during the day is very quiet with hardly any one there but at night it was a different story. People everywhere with shops set up all up and down the street selling souvenirs. The view of the town was amazing from here. I just can't get over how big this town is. The Figueroa's wanted us to try different pupusas so they ordered a bunch of kinds. We had Jalopeno and cheese, garlic and cheese, carrot and cheese, mushroom and cheese, bean and cheese, bean and sausage and cheese. picture #5. It is a very inexpensive meal, usually one pupusa will cost less than $1.00 and two will fill you up. The locals eat them with a pickled cabbage salad on top or tomato sause, and with their hands, forks are not provided. It has been a week full of new and different experiences. It is fun to see how the people live. They are all so protective of us. It is fun to be with them. We do miss the temple though. It has been good to get some needed rest but we will be ready to get back to the temple on the 20th. The other missoinaries arrived home about 6:00 tonight, the 12th. They are tired but had a great time on the trip. Elder Wall had served his mission in Quetzaltenango (Shayla) 50 years ago but he was able to visit with quite a few of the families that he baptized 50 years ago. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for him. President Petersen and Sister Petersen should be here around 10:00 tonight so we will all be home safe and sound. Our little mission family is very dear to our hearts. It is good to be together again. We have one more week before the temple opens and the members have plans for us so we will let you know about the rest of our break next week. We pray that you are all healthy and happy. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We do miss you but are so thankful for the new friends and family that we have here. May God Bless you with all that you need. Love to all, Elder and Sister Thompson, Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Lon and Nancy. We love you.
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