Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

A friendly chap welcomes me and shows me around. What began in Stratford, Ontario, more than 60 years ago, the Stratford Festival is beginning to take shape thousands of miles away in Suchitoto. With the assistance of the Government of Canada, the Stratford Festival and other corporate partners, this "Sharing a Dream" initiative provides arts and theatre skills training to disadvantaged and at-risk Salvadoran youth. The Es Artes School in Suchitoto creates productions in which local kids work behind the scenes and act on stage. Volunteers from the Stratford Festival provide guidance and training via Skype or in person. Mural, mural on the wall The arts and cultural community is not only flourishing in Suchitoto. Throughout El Salvador, a country with almost seven million inhabitants and known as the "Tom Thumb" of the Americas because it's only about the size of Massachusetts, markets are brimming with an assortment of handicrafts. Salvadorans are proud people, the majority of which are mestizos—a mix of native and European heritage. Pride is clearly illustrated in the colourful murals adorning the walls of shops and buildings in the town of Ataco. It's located on the very popular tourist Ruta de las Flores (Route of the Flowers) in the western part of the country. These vibrant murals depict daily life in the area surrounded by coffee plantations. Ataco is perfect for visitors who wish to escape big-city hassles and relish an opportunity to stroll through local markets and shops and lodge at a quaint inn. Smiles are never in short supply despite the turbulent past or perhaps because of it. Salvadorans treasure peace, tranquility and a better life and it shows in the warm welcome and affection they offer visitors. Market vendors are shy for the most part so you needn't worry about being accosted by overzealous merchants trying to sell their wares. Tourist attractions The cultivation of coffee is serious business in El Salvador. It's not only the country's No. 1 export but visiting a coffee plantation is one of the most popular tourist activities. Found throughout the country, many plantations offer tours and show you the numerous processes involved from planting, harvesting, washing, drying and separating the beans for regular and premium brands to the final packaging and shipping process. It all culminates with sipping a cup of coffee straight from the source. Now that's java! Of course, coffee isn't the only thing percolating in El Salvador. The country's more than 20 volcanoes are as well. Most are dormant, however a few are still active. The most recent was the Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec), which erupted in October 2005. At 2,381 metres above sea level, Santa Ana is the country's highest volcano and is known as the "Lighthouse of the Pacific" because

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