Because We Can

In the sky, somewhere between the US and the UK. After not nearly enough sleep time the overhead lights in the cabin came on and breakfast was served. We landed about 20 minutes later than scheduled, got to see the sky turn red and orange out the plane window. Before that, however, I tried to take a photo of the moon just above the wing tip. It’s easy to understand why I attend the Retama Photography Club meetings on Friday mornings in the winter. Bob, the non-photographer. For anyone who might doubt the location of that photo, here is where the plane was at that time. Something that never happens. Guess I can’t say that any more. First bag from the plane was one of ours! Linda claimed we had to walk for miles in the terminal. One mile being from the plane to passport control, then a not so long walk to baggage claim, then another mile or so to the Underground station.  It may not have been quite that far, but even I would admit it was a real long ways. The other thing was the answ...

It seems like every fall we are off on a trip somewhere overseas. I have begun to think that Linda likes to celebrate our wedding anniversary in non traditional places. As far as this trip is concerned, in the words of our friend Dianne, we are “going all over.” Now if I can just find time and the internet gods are willing, there will once again be posts on most , if not all days. Otherwise, I’ll just have to label myself, Bad Bob. All ready to leave, but with several things different from past trips. No longer is the coach in the background, but we are really loving our new to us home.The pretty girl is the same as always, the bags in front of her are different. She has a we daypack, a zipper on her old one (my old, old one) broke and the manufacture replaced the daypack. She was happy for that, but would have preferred some color other than black. Poor Linda. The other new items are our luggage.. This trip it is duffle bags. There is a tour coming up along the way and the tour compan...

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...