Description

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUCHITOTO…..150 YEARS!
Suchitoto, nahuatl for “Place of birds and flowers”.

El Salvador is a young nation….America was “discovered” in 1492. After the conquest most of the natives were “encomendados” (Surrendered to ) to the Spaniards, that implied that the natives had to pay taxes and work for their owner.
In 1548 Suchitoto was an “encomienda” of only 60 native survivors.

During the XVII century Suchitoto was an important center of the cultivation of “añil” (Indigo), a natural dye, and it was the largest source of income of the country. In July 1897 synthetic indigo was developed and within a short time, completely supplanted natural indigo, and today nearly all indigo produced is synthetic....That implied an economical crisis for the country and turned to grow cofee for exportation. Let us pray nobody will discover synthetic cofee!.

If you want to know the color of “añil” look at your jeans. You can still buy clothes in Suchitoto died with natural “añil”....they are beautiful and its popularity is growing again.

In 1821 El Salvador was declared independent...In July 15, 1858 Suchitoto received the title of “city” so is turning 150 years old. (I prefer to think is just a wonderful magic little town.)

The family of my father descends from Spaniards of Suchitoto......that is probably why I love so much this place.

This picture is dedicated to my dear Clara  ClaraSoto , we started to visit Suchitoto with her 15 years ago…..Love you Clara!!!

Añil...Indigo link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_dye

Suchitoto history link…
http://www.suchitoto-el-salvador.com/english/index.htm

About the picture….
Taken in Suchitoto Sunday 13 2008 during the celebrations.
F 10, Speed 1/320….ISO 200….Focal Length 18 mm ( I was very close!)
Many wires were healed…..The sky hast not been manipulated…..No polarizer, fortunately was a “blue” day……11:49 am , very strong light….Manual exposure set to preserve details on the whites…..Single shot mode….and a lot of work in Photoshop.
Link to the original….
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7294/original8173wc9.jpg
PLEASE SEE BLACK AND WHITE VERSION….
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8836/horsejumpa8173n4bwfinalxt5.jpg


Spanish translation……

FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS SUCHITOTO…..150 AÑOS!
Suchitoto en nahuatl significa lugar de pájaros y flores.

El Salvador es una nación joven, América fue “descubierta” en 1492. Después de la conquista los nativos fueron “encomendados” a los españoles, lo cual implicaba que tenían que pagar impuestos y trabajar para sus “dueños”.
En 1548 Suchitoto era una “encomienda” de sólo 60 nativos sobrevivientes.

Durante el siglo XVII Suchitoto era un importante centro del cultivo del “añil” ( Indigo), un colorante natural y éste era la principal fuente de divisas del país. El añil natural era la única fuente del colorante hasta Julio de 1897, cuando el índigo fue sintetizado y en un corto período suplantó completamente al índigo natural. A esta fecha casi todo los productos son teñidos con el sintético. Esto implicó una crisis económica para el país que tuvo que volcarse al cultivo del café como fuente de divisas. (Hoy rezamos para que nadie descubra el café sintético!).....Si no conoce el color del añil (que vergüenza), mire el color de sus “jeans”. Todavía pueden comprarse en Suchitoto ropas teñidas con el colorante natural. Son muy lindas y su popularidad crece nuevamente.

En 1821 El Salvador se declara independiente….En 1858 Suchitoto recibe el título de ciudad, así que está de aniversario compliendo 150 años. ( Yo prefiero pensar que es simplemente un pueblito maravilloso y mágico)….
La familia de mi padre desciende de españoles de Suchitoto, probablemente por eso amo tanto este pueblo.