Monday, December 29, 2008
Back in the Latin America I love!
I am back in Nicaragua. I met my friend Nick in Managua, he is traveling around Central and South America for the next four months. After one night back with the family in Managua we headed down to San Juan del Sur which is where we are now. This beach town is beautiful and packed. I went to about 10 hostels before finding one that had space and was affordable. Everything around here is more expensive now for the New Year, yet still far cheaper then anywhere in New Jersey.
The bus ride to San Juan del Sur was interesting. As Jorge (brother at the Managua home-stay) pulled got near the entrance of the bus terminal two men quickly approached the car yelling "Vas a San Juan del Sur?" - in seeing Nick's surf board they assumed that was our destination. Quickly it turned into about 8 men all competing to help us to their respected bus company. Two men jumped on the back of the pick-up, and at least another five ran along the side of the car yelling at their counterparts in competition and to us that they could take us to the bus for San Juan. The second Jorge parked the car they fought over who would untie the surfboard, quickly it was taken over to a bus and passed to the teenager on the roof organizing luggage. The same happened with Nick and my large backpacks. Out of mere faith Nick and I boarded the bus hoping our luggage was safe on the roof.
Entering the bus I new I was back in the Latin America I remember from traveling in South America two years ago - jam packed and no AC. As uncomfortable as the ride was - my butt was numb by the end of the 2.5 hour ride - it gave me a sense of joy to be back traveling as the locals do. This became even more clear as the bus stopped about a half an hour before getting to Rivas (the town near San Juan) to repair a flat tire - mushed against the people sitting next to me, sweating like crazy, it felt good to be back in the Latin America I love!
The bus ride to San Juan del Sur was interesting. As Jorge (brother at the Managua home-stay) pulled got near the entrance of the bus terminal two men quickly approached the car yelling "Vas a San Juan del Sur?" - in seeing Nick's surf board they assumed that was our destination. Quickly it turned into about 8 men all competing to help us to their respected bus company. Two men jumped on the back of the pick-up, and at least another five ran along the side of the car yelling at their counterparts in competition and to us that they could take us to the bus for San Juan. The second Jorge parked the car they fought over who would untie the surfboard, quickly it was taken over to a bus and passed to the teenager on the roof organizing luggage. The same happened with Nick and my large backpacks. Out of mere faith Nick and I boarded the bus hoping our luggage was safe on the roof.
Entering the bus I new I was back in the Latin America I remember from traveling in South America two years ago - jam packed and no AC. As uncomfortable as the ride was - my butt was numb by the end of the 2.5 hour ride - it gave me a sense of joy to be back traveling as the locals do. This became even more clear as the bus stopped about a half an hour before getting to Rivas (the town near San Juan) to repair a flat tire - mushed against the people sitting next to me, sweating like crazy, it felt good to be back in the Latin America I love!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Leaving Sussy's
Well it has been a vacation within a vacation at Sussy's. Headed back to Managua now. I have a ton to report out on, hopefully I will get a block of time to sit at a cyber in the next day or so to write about it.
Here is a picture of Sussy's family and I
Here is a picture of Sussy's family and I
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Favorite Photos
Managua, Nicaragua
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
San Salvador, El Salvador
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Homestay
If a Bonner trip to Nicaragua, or another country, happens we will all most likely be staying in homestays. Homestays are in essence families that open their homes to a foriegner who lives as a member of the family for the time they are there. Homestays are truly a better experience then staying in a hostel or hotel in that it is a truly genuine way of experiencing the culture.
Below you can see pictures of the homestay stayed at in Managua. If we are to go to a delegation through Witness for Peace or the Center for Global Education one of the participants would most likely be staying at this families house.
Below you can see pictures of the homestay stayed at in Managua. If we are to go to a delegation through Witness for Peace or the Center for Global Education one of the participants would most likely be staying at this families house.
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| From Nicaragua-Honduras-El Salvador |
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| From Nicaragua-Honduras-El Salvador |
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| From Nicaragua-Honduras-El Salvador |
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| From Nicaragua-Honduras-El Salvador |
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| From Nicaragua-Honduras-El Salvador |
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| From Nicaragua-Honduras-El Salvador |
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| From Nicaragua-Honduras-El Salvador |
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| From Nicaragua-Honduras-El Salvador |
Centro Cultural Batahola Norte
Please excuse how shaky the footage is. I try not to hold the camera in front of my face and I don't like looking at someone through the lens, therefore at times I didn't notice where the camera was pointed.
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