we have definitely covered some ground in the last few days. we made our way across the - craziest - nicaragua/costa rica border and even managed to fall in love with the country despite it all!
the border was just insane because there didnt seem to be much organization to it. we had to go through like 2 or 3 check points just to get out of costa rica by walking around what looked like a huge truck stop. then people kept pointing us in what seemed like a random direction to get to the entrance of nicaragua where there were people trying to SELL the immigration papers to the weary gringos. they told us there was no system in nicaragua so the only way to get the papers was from them and we said if your country is stupid enough not to have a legal way to get in, we will enter illegally! but of course, there were FREE immigration papers so there is SOME system - good or bad is still up for debate. we seemed to pay a lot of sucker fees that probably amounted to about $14 but its the principal of feeling suckered that really mattered. oh well, after the border we had to find a bus that they told us was ´´afuera´´ (outside) but no real directions there either...gee thanks for the great welcoming! haha
eventually we made it to ometepe, the island in the middle of lake nicaragua with 2 volcanoes. i remember flying over on my way to costa rica the first time and señor brand told me you could visit so i had to! it was a really fun place that had a lot more to do than expected because it was larger than expected! you could hike the two volcanoes and do all sorts of tours but we didnt allot enough time for all that so we tried to explore on our own. the exploring was a bit slow because of the bus system on the island. although people have lived there for years they were just now paving the road around it. when i say paving i know what you are thinking but we are talking laying bricks, by hand on muddy roads...not the most efficient especially when riding in old run down buses! we tried to walk to the ´´close´´ places but i realized no one wore a watch so their 10 minutes was truly like 30! oh well, we learned to just go with it. one day after lunch we were waiting for the bus and these guys who were delivering milk and yogurt to the whole island offered us a ride. knowing hitchhiking is normal and the bus wasnt really coming for a while we took it! i know what you´re thinking dad, but it was fine! we really enjoyed the island but only spent 2 nights so no time for a long hike!
we made our way to granada via more random school buses but it kept things interesting and made the 3 hour trip seem short so who needs true organization!? granada is SO CUTE! it is a colonial town with old buildings and people still using horse carriages to get around as their main transportation (well we saw that on the island too but it seems to clash more in the city than it did on the island). there are of course cars and motorcylces, taxis and buses here too but the horses get me every time! the people here are spunkier than panama and costa rica. i feel like the other two are so much more used to tourists it doesnt phase them as much, but here, people notice! we have mostly just wandered the city a bunch and found little cafes here or street food there - again, parents, nothing to worry about we are both still healthy and it was more in the budget! we even found time for a $3.50 pedicure....living the life i tell you what! we went out dancing with our toes newly painted the other night with a lady from our hostel. when i say lady, i mean lady! haha she has a daughter my age and she was partying harder than most of my friends, but hey, to each his/her own. we had a good time and thats all that matters.
oh! about the title. last night we went to dinner at a mexican restaurant and there was a mariachi band that came by and played for tips - completely normal and acceptable. THIS MORNING - i mean right at 5 am ON THE DOT - there was a mariachi band that came in to sing about 5 FREAKING SONGS for someone´s birthday! taylor didnt wake up right away which surprised me but she told when she did wake up that she thought she was dreaming!...oh goodness. i was a little grouchy at the time but looking back now, it was funny.
we are off to matagalpa, nicaragua today. a small town north of here in the mountains (supposed to be ´´cold´´ but i dont believe them!) for a coffee tour. we will be trying to make our way to el salvador wednesday. i believe we will be spending 1 night in el salvador then off to honduras so there is a lot of travel in the future for us. keep us in your prayers! God has been so good to us this far and i pray for that to continue. praise Jesus for directing those hurricanes away but i will be praying for NC!
let me know whats going on in your life!
adios,
jen
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