Playing hooky

James and I have exam review documents due by Friday, as well as final exams completed a week from tomorrow. So... with all this work facing us, we grabbed the kids and went on an adventure. The weather now is just too perfect. The sky is blue and the breeze is blowing. I think I'm still recovering from the rainy season. Who knew how the weather would affect us?

So off we went to Los Planes (pronounced like the word planet without the "t"). It's a park on top of a mountain just a few miles outside the city. We went to the Salvadoran version of Chimney Rock - called The Devil's Gate. We climbed stairs and rocks to an incredible view. The picture of us here is interesting - behind my left hand you might see a red rope. It's a zip line - people were riding down from one of the rock peaks. In the distance the deeper blue color is the ocean. You could see forever.

There were vendors by the parking lot, and a couple of ancient kiddy rides. Mags and Will got on a little ferris wheel that was also run by kids. I can't imagine how old is was. James took a photo but it turned out to be a movie - so you'll just have to imagine the ride. So few things here have warnings, rules or guidelines. It seems like everything we do has an added element of risk - making every outing at the least unpredictable.

I have a confession to make. Letty and I are taking Mags to see Ricky Martin tomorrow night. Why? So we can say we did it. My hope is we'll be home by midnight. But then only a day and half more of school before Thanksgiving holidays. I figure we can catch up on our sleep then. And recover from the three birthday parties we went to in 24 hours this weekend. There's no other way to explain it - parties are big here. We went to the grocery store this afternoon and it was surprising because there was no live music. Salvadorans celebrate everything.

Oh - here's a photo of James and former President Alfredo Cristiani. I'm not sure why he wanted me to take this picture. Maybe he'll explain it sometime.

Happy Holidays to all our friends in SC!