In the evening, we join Dr. Menjivar on a visit to a “bar” where sex workers operate. There is a juke box with the names of the songs written on the wall behind it. The place is located in “lawless street”. There is a reason it’s called like that and we are not allowed to stay too long. Previously one of the outreach workers was almost shot. The bullet coming from gun of one of the male customers hit the jukebox next to her. There was no provocation. Drugs and alcohol can make the men unpredictable. There is a courtyard with a few wooden tables. Doors to small rooms are laid out around the courtyard. This is where the sex workers operate. There is a shower area for the workers. It’s early and somewhat abandoned, but it doesn’t look like a friendly place.

This is the type of environment in which the doctor and peer educators operate frequently. Dr. Menjivar talks about HIV prevention to a small group of sex workers, uses a board with illustrations. Condoms are brought and handed out.

We are urgently asked to leave. Some men started to complain, we don’t know about what. The locals sensed it was getting dangerous. We step into the car and leave to our next site.

An hour’s drive brings us to a nightclub on the outskirts or outside Sonsonate, called “El Paraiso”. The doctor holds an educational session for a group of sex workers. Most don’t want their pictures to be taken, so most photos are taken are taken from their backs. It’s dark. Then some of the ladies soften up and allow us into the rooms where they work. We see Dr. Menjivar talking to the ladies, doing his outreach, in these rooms.