Textiles Barahona

Last Monday we headed for the Craft Route of El Salvador. The internet told us of Ilobasco, the Ceramic center of the country, the producer of the famous miniature ceramics. It was a quaint town with shops all up and down the street selling ceramics of all kinds. We went to the factory and saw the kelms and wheels and ect of the production of the ceramics.  This picture is of the drying room.

 This is the the pottery we came home with. The little Christmas tree top comes up and the nativity is inside.

They have all kinds of things inside just about anything you can imagine. We spent a few hours there then headed to the Textile Factory in San Sebastian . "The craftsmanship of San Sebastian is only in El Salvador, you cannot find anything like it elsewhere and that is why loom work has become a way of life for many who live in this beautiful town. It is believed that it was the Spanish who introduced the treadle loom in this area, but certainly the people of San Sebastian has his own touch to the clothing they make."The internet had us real excited to see this factory. We drove up and down narrow streets looking for the factory. The picture below is of the front door of the "factory". We went into the front room, which is the sales room lined with shelves filled with beautiful table clothes, shawls, towels, hammocks. We went through the kitchen and out into the factory.

 Under the loofing sheds, with chickens and dogs running around, were the treadle looms.

It was so amazing and such a shock. These men work for two years with no pay to learn the art then work from 6 am to 6 pm for $4.00 a day. The foot pedals were like watching someone play the organ pedals. Each pedal was hooked to a different color of yarn. I can't even imagine how exhausting it would be to sit on the boards for 12 hours a day.

We each came away with a few treasures, We probably helped with a few months of wages. They made bedspreads with birds, tigers, even winnie the pooh! It was a great day, we didn't get home till after 7:00 and we saw the city for the first time in the dark. The driving was even more scarry in the dark. I don't think there is a tree anywhere that doesn't have a house behind it, There were lights all over the mountains. We are celebrating Thanksgiving next Monday here. The temple will be open as usual on Thursday. With all the warm temperatures and sunshine it is hard to believe that it is November. We send our love to all. We wish you a great Thanksgiving with lots of family around and plenty to eat. Remember to give thanks for all you have, because you really are blessed with so much more than others have.The Temple continues to be busy and the weeks just fly by for us. We are on the PM shift for a week and are looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. We are happy to be here and enjoy the friendship of so many wonderful people here. May God Bless you in all you do. Love Lon and Nancy