Take my Breath away. Berlin.

En route to Succhitito a coffee break and bog stop was requested by some of the people I was travelling with.

I wanted nor required either and after being told the stop would be about 45 mins ( fuck me how long does it take to swallow a cup of coffee and empty ones bladder?). I wandered off.

Didn't know what to expect, not much I guessed as it wasn't a "proper" stop, chance to see some real people and stuff.

In deepest darkest central America I thought it was a piss take that we were in Berlin but the name originates from Serafín Brennen, a German citizen who ended up here after surviving a shipwreck. The town was then called Agua Caliente somehow he made an agreement with the residents to rename the village after Berlin. Germany actually is one of leading European trading partners with El Salvador and is the largest importer of Salvadoran coffee.

A wander around this quiet unassuming town was a joy, little did I know of its history; even though our leader had said this was his home town, he said nothing. I guess fear and suspicion still run rife amongst Salvadorans

Berlin, a small picturesque mountain town with a population of 20,000 people.

It wasn't always so.

During the Salvadoran Civil War, Berlín was one of the most affected areas.

Early in 1983, FMLN freedom fighters, following violent combat with Government forces, entered the town and took control.

This made it become the most important city taken over by guerrillas since the beginning of the war.

After the FMLN gained ownership of the city, the Salvadoran military mobilised many soldiers from other areas to attempt to regain control of Berlín.

In the week that the freedom Fighters controlled Berlin, before retreating, both the Salvadoran military and their american military advisors were astounded by the guerrillas' ability to initiate attacks of such importance and input such ferocity

At least five blocks of the city center were completely destroyed. An estimated 27 government forces and 258 civilians has been killed during the conflict.

Etched in their faces

What stories these faces could tell, all the little old ladies going about their business, are they former freedom fighters, or govt. supporters, what dreams of heroic action sends them to sleep? What nightmares awaken them at the witching hour?

Was the struggle and sacrifice worth it? Democracy is in place

There are massive crackdowns on gangs and drugs and violence

If you suck up the amnesty international globalist agenda, There are allegedly still violations of human rights "inside cells, the extreme overcrowding, which result in violations of the right to life and physical integrity, and in insanitary conditions, food shortages and lack of basic hygiene, seriously affecting the health of detainees"

IF YOU CAN'T DO THE TIME
DON'T DO THE CRIME.

I had spotted these two guys entering a convenience store and thought, "hang about if it's a robbery, get some snaps, win a pulitzer prize" When they came out shortly the gunless guy was all smiles and pointed to me to take some pics, with a nod of the head and an encouraging gesture he even stepped into the frame with his bodyguard.

Friendly people the Salvadorans.

In the spring of 2023 a Crypto currency center opened in the town to educate people about the use of Bitcoin. Adoption of Bitcoin use by local businesses and residents has been growing steadily since.