Many families, especially in the community we have been spending time with, run small convenience and food stores out of their homes. The sign on this home says "Se Vende..." and then has a list of things that can be purchased here, like chocobananos and chips. It seems to bring the community together.
The global economic crisis, especially as it pertains to oil has reached El Salvador as well. When gasoline was nearing $4 in the United States it was even more expensive in El Salvador, now as it is plummeting below $2, it has fallen to just under $3. Unfortunately, the impact of higher oil prices has been very difficult for some if not many here in El Salvador.
We went to San Sebastian, a town known for its textiles, during our first weekend in El Salvador, where we met a woman who manages a textile operation. She explained the process to us, and it was interesting to see the inner-workings of her shop in progress. The group purchased a number of textiles from this place because it was meaningful to meet the person who made them by hand. They make 6- 8 textiles per day.
Below are two pictures of road side markets that has been cleaned out but will probably be back in business tomorrow. Similar "small businesses" pop up all over El Salvador in a variety of places, and with a variety of facades. The one on the right one happens to be right along side the high way between two towns.
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