We woke up early Friday morning and loaded Transportes Casasola, an express bus headed for La Entrada. Once in La Entrada we boarded Transportes Sultan Express and made our way towards the border of Honduras and El Salvador. A few hours later we stepped off the bus in the colorful town of La Palma.
Surrounded by mountains, 10 km south of Honduras, lies this artist community in northern El Salvador in 
the department of Chalatenango. Well known Salvadorian artist Fernando Llort moved to La Palma in the early 70´s for inspiration. He started an artisan's co-op, La Semilla de Dios, working with the residents of La Palma to create his bright simple images, and developed an art movement that represents El Salvador around the world. Today 75% of the population in La Palma is involved in producing this unique art, on everything from wooden tables and chairs, crosses, bowls, boxes, seed bracelets, key chains, napkin 
holders, and clothingg. Art is everywhere in La Palma. Storefronts are brightly painted, murals adorn walls, and even the telephone poles and park benches display the art this community is so well known for.
We have spent our time in La Palma walking around the town, taking pictures, eating pupusas, enjoying the beautiful weather in the park, and browsing the many artisan shops. We visited La Semillo de Dios as well as the gallery of another famous Salvadorian artist Alfredo Linares. Our visit to La Palma has been wonderful, and we are so glad that we decided to stop here.
Next we are headed south towards the Pacific for some time on the black sand beaches of El Salvador´s coast.
Again--I say "You two are fantastic-so adventurous and so interested in everything" Have a wonderful time and know that you are loved!! GiGi & Bill
Posted by: Aletha Anderson | January 06, 2009 at 05:20 AM