El Salvador in a Low Voice
No one wanted to talk about it, but it was clear something was wrong. The dark, grim streets lay deserted at night, showing little sign of life. By day, people lived under a shadow of fear, yet still managed to smile and act friendly. I longed to walk freely, but was warned repeatedly not to enter certain areas without permission. Gradually, I began to understand the city’s unspoken rules—those silent codes the citizens followed just to survive.
When I asked questions in a normal tone, I barely heard any answers. It seemed that some things had to remain quiet, that asking too much was dangerous. So, I lowered my voice, speaking softly so only those closest could hear. I watched as people smiled through it all, quietly carrying on with their lives.
