This promises to be an excellent trip!
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| We will return to the cashew plant in the Bajo Lempa area |
PROGRAM
FOR 12-DAY COMPADRES/COMADRES EL SALVADOR EXPERIENCE
(2-13 July 2014)
Wednesday, July 2
Travel to and arrival in El Salvador (Archbishop Oscar Romero International Airport) with transfer to San Salvador
guesthouse (Hostal San José) and brief introduction/orientation by SalvAide El Salvador Representative, Miguel
Thursday, July 3
8 AM: Breakfast
8:45 AM: Meeting with CRIPDES and CORDES executive members
10:30 AM: San Salvador Volcano (El Boquerón National Park)
| El Boquerón National Park |
12:30 PM: Lunch
2-4 PM: Meeting with the National Association of Salvadoran Educators – 21 June (ANDES 21 de Junio, El
Salvador’s teachers union)
Evening: Dinner at guesthouse
Friday, July 4
7:30AM: Breakfast
8:15 AM: Introduction to the socio-political history of El Salvador with popular education experts, Equipo Maiz
10:30 AM: Monument to the civilian civil war dead in Cuscatlán Park and visit Tomb of Archbishop Oscar Romero in
National Cathedral
12:30 PM: Lunch
2-4 PM: Visit Divine Providence Chapel and Romero Centre – site of Archbishop Romero’s assassination in 1980 by a Salvadoran government supported right-wing death squad
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| Divine Providence Chapel |
Evening: Dinner at guesthouse
Saturday, July 5
7 AM: Breakfast
All day: The Mayan Route – a visit to the Zapotitán Valley and its impressive Classic Period Mayan archeological sites
9-11 AM: Joya de Cerén archeological site (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – Mayan village from 650 AD buried and
preserved under volcanic ash
Lunch: Lake Coatepeque
1:30-3 PM: San Andres archeological site – Classic Period Mayan ceremonial/political/commercial centre
| La Palma, Chalatenango |
3:30 PM: Depart for La Palma, Chalatenango
Evening: Dinner in La Palma
(overnight in La Palma)
Sunday, July 6
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Visit to ACOPROARTE artisans cooperative (started by SalvAide sister organization, CORDES)
11 AM: Possible trip to Miramundo (weather and transportation dependent)
Late PM: Travel to San José Las Flores, Chalatenango
Evening: Settle at Pastoral Centre accommodations and dinner at Women’s Cooperative Kitchen
(overnight in San José Las Flores)
Monday, July 7
7:30 AM: Breakfast
AM: Visit town primary/secondary school
Early PM: Oral histories of San José Las Flores repopulation during popular insurrection and of recent anti-mining
struggle against Canadian mining companies
Late PM: Visit Lempa River Eco-Tourist Park
(overnight in San José Las Flores)
*OPTION: work in school garden
Tuesday, July 8
7 AM: Breakfast
7:45 AM : Depart for Suchitoto, Cuscatlán
9 AM: An introduction to the work of SalvAide sister organizations, CRIPDES and CORDES, in the region
11 AM: Walking tour and history of Suchitoto
Lunch: Women’s community kitchen
PM: Visit artisan’s cooperative, free time
Evening: Dinner
(overnight in Suchitoto)
Wednesday, July 9
8 AM: Breakfast
8:45 AM: Depart for Cinquera, Cabañas (settle in eco-tourist cabins upon arrival)
9:30 AM: Meeting with ARDM community association for a brief history of Cinquera along with tour of community
Lunch at eco-tourist centre
1-4 PM: Hike in Cinquera Park (site of conflict during armed insurrection) and swim in natural pool
Evening: Dinner at eco-tourist centre
(overnight in Cinquera)
Thursday, July 10
7:30 AM: Breakfast
All day: “Yes to Water, No to Mining Tour” – a trip to Cabañas, site of protracted struggles against Canadian gold
mining with a workshop on the issue with local activists
10AM - 12:30PM: Meeting with ADES in San Isidro
12:30 – 1:30PM Lunch
2PM: Brief discussion with MUFRAS in San Isidro and a tour of the village to see the murals dedicated to Marcel Rivera (murdered environmentalist leader) plus a visit to the library
Afternoon: Return to Cinquera or to ADES for overnight stay
Friday, July 11
6:30 AM: Breakfast
9 AM: A meeting with CORDES San Vicente Coordinator, Mauricio Orellana – CORDES’ work in the region, exposure to the effects of climate change, and the possible consequences of “tourism” investment
- Visit cooperative cashew seed processing plant in San Carlos Lempa
- Visit the Lower Lempa River Region (Bajo Lempa) for an eco-tourist boat tour through the Bajo Lempa river estuary, its mangrove forest, and the cooperative cashew orchards on Montecristo Island
(overnight stay in Bajo Lempa Tehuacán ecotourist centre)
Saturday, July 12
7:30AM: Breakfast
Beach outing (Costa del Sol)
3PM: Return to San Salvador guesthouse
Farewell dinner (pupusas)
Sunday, July 13
Travel to and arrival back in Ottawa (depart guesthouse at 5AM)
