Back in December 2011, I got fed up of travelling and had such a pull to go back to Guatemala, that I realised to myself, what's the point in carrying on and not really enjoying the travelling, why don't i just save the rest of South America until when I have the urge to go and do a few months travel again. No rush, I'm only 22. Reason being: Id stopped appreciating the towns and cities I was visiting, and was sick of upping and leaving all the time and that's when it's time to stop travelling. Rather than heading back to England, however, I saw a job opportunity in Antigua. Having made good friends in Antigua during the summer, I couldn't wait to go back. So I told them that Id fly back and stop in El Salvador to see a few friends then go back to Antigua. It's now April and I'm still in Antigua, but here is the update of my past 4 months. I will have to write this in several sittings…

My 4 days in El Salvador were spent at El Roble at the beach where I'd spent a fair bit of time when Kerry was ill last year. As soon as I landed, I felt like, yep...im back home. This was the right decision!

On one of those days, I took a motorcycle tour with a couple of English lads and Darren the hostel owner and I hadn't ridden a dirt bike in the few weeks since Id left Nicaragua. We all had a few practice laps before we hit the road…gosh I had no idea at the time I signed up to do it, how much there was to do and how difficult it'd be for a beginner. But nevertheless, I carried on and rode on dirt, mud and sand tracks, up and down mountains, overlooking some spectacular scenery. We started at 10am, practicing, and rode from 12noon til 4pm so it was a long day of riding. We stopped in a small village to get lunch and it was such good food, but we caused a bit of a fuss with the locals. I guess they don't see tourists that often, especially tourists on dirt bikes that causde a loud rumble as we pass through. The kids all came out and were hanging around us, staring and became shy when the lads said hello or waved! It was one of those moments of travelling that you're glad you don't stick to the 'gringo trail' all the time.

My arms were in pain at the end of the ride, because of being tense at times and having to hold on when there was a sheer drop beside me! There were times when I was amazed I didn't fall off, but gave it a lil gas instead of I stayed on. I did fall off right at the end of the day in the most stupid situation…I don't even think it classes as falling off. I was coming from the dirt onto the main road with traffic so I stopped at an angle to check for traffic before pulling out and went to put my left foot on the road and the right foot on the dirt but there was about 1ft difference in the levels, and I just had to drop the bike. Couldn't handle the weight of it on the lower side, so just let it go! Was gutting cus I was 10mins from getting back and so annoyed I coped with the whole ride of different surfaces and cocked it up in the easier spot. Ahhhhh well. It was a good day and I'm so glad I did the ride itself.

Another of my days in El Salvador was spent visiting the dog sanctuary I volunteered at. It was nice to return and see the progress. They had a second vet there and a good local guy who travelled for 3 hours every morning to get there for 8am. Such dedication…and so nice to see in the attitudes of some of the people out here, as normally they have the wrong attitude and will kick dogs, throw stones at them and hiss them away like vermin. However, the biggest shock was with a dog called Morgan. When myself and Kerry were there in August/Sept time last year, he was a nightmare. The only people who he wouldn't try to attack and kill were Katty and Georgi and we would have to leave him out in the rain or locked inside because of fear he would do some real damage if he got hold of us. I went back and thought I misheard Georgi saying to let him out. There were tons of puppies around and other bigger dogs too as well as a group of people and myself who he didn't know. He came running out and greeted me and I didn't believe it was the same dog, until I quizzed Georgi and she said it really was him. He had made so much progress, could be around people and dogs now and more importantly, he is happy. It was incredible to go away and come back 4 months later and meet a transformed dog. I even managed to give him a little cuddly squeeze before he went off and played with the other dogs!!! Just leftme blown away!

That pretty much was my time in El Sal wrapped up,except from adding that I did a whole lot of chilling out and relaxing in the pool and hammocks, before heading off to the new chapter in my life in Antigua. My current home.