Artesanías Paty, a workshop in La Palma, Chalatenango
Elizabeth and I left our home in Cara Sucia at about 8:30 Thursday morning for the four-hour drive to La Palma, near the El Poy border between El Salvador and Honduras.
We planned to meet our friend Luz at the border on Friday and bring her and the children back to Cara Sucia. They had been visiting her father in Honduras for several weeks.
Rather than making the long drive there and back in one day, we decided to travel on Thursday, spend the night in San Ignacio, and enjoy some sightseeing along the way. It proved to be a good decision because the drive was scenic and there was much to see in the area.
Discovering the Art of Fernando Llort
When we arrived in La Palma, we stopped to ask about local attractions. Our first destination was the Museo Fernando Llort.
This small, single-room museum celebrates Fernando Llort’s artistic legacy and the artisan traditions of La Palma. Its displays include historical pieces, handcrafted artwork, and panels describing Llort’s life and influence.
On one wall, I noticed a photograph of Fernando Llort accompanied by a quotation that I found especially inspiring:
“God is the source of all inspiration.
He is the one who gives us the gift of creativity.
May He bless our hands, our minds, and our hearts
so that everything we create may reflect His love.”
These words touched me because they express feelings and experiences I have written about in my book, Harmony of the Cosmos. I have long believed that creativity, inspiration, and our connection with the universe come from something greater than ourselves.
Fernando Llort’s art was inspired by nature, everyday Salvadoran life, and the search for spiritual harmony. His colorful and distinctive style became closely connected with La Palma and helped transform the town into one of El Salvador’s best-known centers for traditional arts and crafts.
The museum is located on Primera Calle Poniente in Barrio San Antonio, inside the Centro de Desarrollo Artesanal. Elizabeth and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and I recommend it to anyone traveling through La Palma.
A Visit to Artesanías Paty
Our next stop was Artesanías Paty, a workshop and store in La Palma with more than 20 years of experience creating unique pieces inspired by Salvadoran culture, tradition, and identity.
Paty told us that Fernando Llort had been her mentor. His influence can be seen in the beautiful colors and designs found throughout her shop.
Visitors can purchase locally made handicrafts created from wood, morro, and copinol seeds. These pieces are produced by artisans from La Palma and reflect the creativity for which the town has become famous.
Artesanías Paty also offers visitors an opportunity to create something of their own. Behind the shop is a studio where tourists can paint their own handicrafts and take home a souvenir made with their own hands.
Elizabeth and I enjoyed meeting Paty and seeing her work. If you visit La Palma, I strongly recommend stopping at Artesanías Paty. It is well worth your time.
Our Night in San Ignacio
After visiting La Palma, it was time to check in at the Hotel Las Tilapias in San Ignacio, about 15 minutes away.
The hotel sits on a large property surrounded by vegetation, colorful flowers, scenic views, and walking paths. There was also a monkey on the property that had reportedly been found when the land was being developed. He did not appear overly friendly, so we admired him from a respectful distance.
The hotel also had an attractive swimming pool and a large restaurant. Our room was small but comfortable, with one twin bed and one single bed. We would have preferred a queen-size bed and a small desk, but since we were staying for only one night, the room served our needs.
For dinner, I ordered lasagna, while Elizabeth chose a plate with yuca. After eating, we returned to our room. We were tired after the long drive and an enjoyable afternoon of sightseeing.
Meeting Luz at El Poy
On Friday, we made our way to the El Poy border crossing. Luz and the children arrived at about 1:30 p.m.
While Luz completed the necessary customs and immigration procedures, Elizabeth and I had an opportunity to talk with her father. Once everything was finished and everyone was ready, we began the long journey back to Cara Sucia.
The purpose of our trip was to bring Luz and the children home, but the journey gave us much more. We experienced the beautiful mountain scenery of Chalatenango, learned more about Fernando Llort’s artistic legacy, met a talented local artisan, and spent a peaceful night surrounded by nature in San Ignacio.
It was another reminder that traveling through El Salvador is often about more than reaching a destination. Along the way, there are always new people to meet, places to discover, and stories worth sharing.
I have added some pictures of our trip in a slideshow below.
If you enjoy following El Salvador’s progress in education, technology, development, and other areas of national transformation, please consider liking, commenting, sharing, and subscribing to Our Life in El Salvador. Your support helps us continue bringing these stories to more readers.
Leave a Reply