Nestled in a valley, and surrounded by volcanoes is this rabbit warren of multi-coloured houses, earthquake damaged churches and cobbled traffic filled streets. All streets are straight and run north to south and east to west around a pleasant central square. They have original names like avenue 1, avenue 2, avenue 3 etc - and yet it's surprisingly easy to get 'lost'. There's a distinct lack of signage/advertisements, most buildings are only on 2 levels and are joined together in a very understated, yet colourful, terraced row. I walked into a Burger King, not knowing what it was until i was in it. I'm just starting to recover from the shock. I didn't know what half the shops were until it was dark and they were lit up inside.
So it's another tourist town - package groups and lots of language students. I don't love this place, but i do quite like it. It has a strange charm because i think it lacks a sense of being genuine - it's too picture perfect.
I actually stayed in it for few days before i went to Xela, fully anticipating to see it again on my way back. That never happened, so this is fortunately a truncated, and past remembered account. If only they were all as short as this.
