The Production Continues . . .

We are moving ahead with the production. Yesterday, we spent the morning at the National University (the public institution), interviewing students and one professor. It was fascinating to see the public university - beautiful grounds and more diversity than at the Catholic University, where we were earlier in the week. One member of the group observed that the public university was much like SFSU.

Today, we went first to the San Salvador volcano - to "El Boquerón" (word for "large mouth") or the crater. We understand the volcano hasn't erupted since 1917, but it remains an active volcano. The scenery was gorgeous, and the plants and flowers in bloom were spectacular! Those of us doing still photography in addition to video had a feast for the eyes!

Then we moved on to "Joya de Cerén" (jewel of ceren), which is a World Heritage Site and which is considered to be the Pompeii of El Salvador. It was "discovered" in 1976 when a bulldozer was flattening the land in preparation for some construction. Fortunately, rather than plow over the site (which apparently happens sometimes), the driver notified the appropriate authorities and the site was preserved. An anthropologist from Colorado began working on the site in 1978. What is particularly unique is that the site preserves the way people other than the priests or leaders lived. Rather than a large temple, this site has homes that "common people" lived in, as well as a house where the shaman or "witch doctor" (curandera - almost certainly a woman) lived. This was a Mayan settlement in El Salvador, which also makes this site special as few Mayan sites remain in El Salvador. Due to the volcanic eruptions, people needed to leave the site at least three times. But the fact that the site was covered in lava was what protected the site so well. Fragments of food remained in dishes found in the houses - and even prints from people's feet and hands. Again, the site was lush with vegetation. We saw cacao plants, iñil (the plant from which indigo dye comes), mango trees, guayaba, and nance, a fruit that we do not have in the U.S..

This must sound like a tourist account, but we were carrying equipment all the way, and recording these sites for the video. At the same time, we are learning so much about the country's history and culture.