I had a wonderful time at the site about ten years ago and greatly enjoyed all that there was to learn and particularly the contrast with the Mayan ceremonial cities. However, I have to disagree with Ivette, though. We have not advanced at all. On the contrary, life remains very harsh for the poor majority. The environmental and social degradation a bus ride away in San Salvador with many people living in absolute misery is a vivid reminder of this. Certainly the American continent was far better off before the journeys of Columbus and the European takeover.