Because We Can

View from the van at 3:30 AM, time to head into Managua for the flight home. It was a good trip, a very, very good trip. The trip to the airport took just about an hour, not much traffic at that early hour. I took this photo of an overhead sign shortly before we arrived at the airport. I did not take a photo of the barricade across the road or the line of still smoldering  tires, the remains of last night’s protest. The airport was not busy, our plane was about a third full, but what was really sad was what we left behind. A country who’s tourism industry has been devastated by the protests. Hotels, restaurants and popular tourist attractions, and especially the not so popular ones were missing what they needed most, visitors. I’ll always remember the look of pain and horror on Richard’s face as he showed us a photo of fires burning in the town where we had lunch yesterday. As always, it is the ordinary people who pay the price, not the politicians or the wealthy. So why do we look...

This was the last day of the tour. Tomorrow morning the bus leaves the hotel to take us to the airport in Managua. The time, 3:30 AM. I may post tomorrow, or I may not. If this the last post, just let me say it has been an unbelievably awesome and rewarding trip. For those who are hesitant to travel to Central America, we say embrace this region of the Americas, you’ll be glad you did. And now back to our regular progamming. Something we have not had before with breakfast, plain yogurt topped with honey. Excellante. We talked to the restaurant about how the rice and beans we both have come to love are made. Not difficult, but not simple. Definitely more to than just rice and beans. Linda is going to have a go at when we get home. But I strongly suspect there will be an email to Richard asking what he remembers about them. It is good to have friends in the right places. Forgetful Bob. American tourist relaxing in Nicaragua? Nicaraguan relaxing in Nicaragua? The upside down trashcan lid ...

Didn’t have a clue it was Cinco de Mayo until I typed yesterday’s date in the title. Here May 1 was the big holiday. It was their Labor Day. And also when most of the world celebrates labor day. When you are the King of Birds (just ask one) you shout it out. No wonder we get so many laughs from the grackles that frequent our backyard at Retama. Money changer. Reputation for them is everything. Market food. No matter how crowded the market, there is always room for more. Kids are the same everywhere. Street scene. Love the padding under the harness. Sidewalk scene. You soon get used to it, holes happen. Why there are so few pull tabs laying around in Nicaragua. Visit to a hammock workshop. The weaving is done by the blind and gives them a job opportunity they would otherwise never have. Pedal powered blender. Bell Tower Babe. The circular stairway to climb to the top of the tower almost did me in, but I made it. Unless you have a abject fear of them you wouldn’t understand. Brave Bob. T...

A little jammed up on time, so photos with not many words today. Is that cheering I hear? Bad Bob. Crosses commemorating the 60 some people who lost their lives during the demonstrations. Being here is different than see some news clips on CNN or other news outlets. They always show the worst. No where have we see any signs of violence or felt anything other than welcomed by the people we meet. As I said the other day, Nicaragua may not be fond of the our Government, but they are very welcoming and accepting of Americans. Just like we do in our country, they want their politicians out of office and someone who truly cares about them rather than money and getting re-elected elected. And now, on the condensed version our travels. One of many signs like this in front of the national police academy. The new Cathedral that replaced the historic one condemned after an earthquake. The style is called Brutalism and reflects what the country has endured in the past 50 years. Chape...