February has arrived and with it, I finally have my “Residencia Temporal”, which is my temporary resident visa. Now that I have it, I can begin charging for my English lessons, but I’m working on my web site first, and also trying to determine if there is anything I need to do with regard to Salvadoran taxes. Still, it’s exciting! I did learn that I if I am out of the country for more than 90 days (total, not necessarily continuous), then I lose the visa. At the end of the year, I can apply for a permanent resident visa (that would be the Salvadoran version of a green card). I think after that I can probably come and go as I wish. Until then I need to make sure I am aware of the total days I am out of El Salvador. About two weeks ago, my wife and I visited the Iglesia El Rosario (Church of the Rosary), which is both a church and a tourist site in the historic center of the capital. My mother and I visited the same church back in January 2025. It is not that special looking from the outside, but it is incredible on the inside. The stained glass ceiling is truly beautiful and definitely worth seeing if you visit El Salvador. Earlier that morning we also went to the Galerias mall and while there saw a display of artistic calendars from the Japanese Embassy. That evening, we were walking and I took a photo of a bus. Note that it’s a school bus from the US. There are a ton of repurposed school buses here, often painted with religious or other imagery and lit up. It’s important as a driver to remember that these are not actually school buses anymore and that you do not stop for them as you must for school buses in the US. The next day we took a road trip and drove south in the direction of San Miguel along the Carratera Panamericana (Pan American Highway). This highway stretches from the bottom of South America to Alaska. It was noticeably warmer towards San Miguel with highs in the mid-90s. Along the way I stopped to take a photo of a bridge destroyed by the communists in the civil war in the 1980s. Parts of the bridge are still there as you can see in the photo. Yesterday we visited Ilobasco. While there I took a quick photo of a woman carrying a basket on her head. Lots of women carry things on their heads here, but I was pretty impressed by this feat! I’ve also included a few other photos. One is of a woman selling fruit and talking on her cell phone. The fruit stands along the roads here are everywhere. Some sell fruit, while others sell coconut juice or sugar cane drinks. Another is of some farmers on the side of the road.
