Yet a country, yet an experience, Nicaragua
Saturday, March 11, 2006
We had a very bumpy ride going from Monteverde to the highway, where we were to change bus to cross the border to go to Nicaragua. The bus left at 06 am and we were all hoping to get some sorely needed sleep on the way. But the bus standard wanted differently. On a road made in 1863(I'm guessing), we drove with a bus that didn't even have traces of brakes left, so we were thrown back and forth between the window and the people sitting next to us. When we got to the highway, the other bus didn't have enough seats for us, so we had to wait for the next one, that was two hours late, and of course didn't go to Granada, as the first one did. But we crossed the border, got screwed over big time, because we didn't know the exchange rate, and had to find a new bus that would actually take us to where we wanted to go. Picture us trying to say that we have a ticket for Granada but the bus was late, and trying to find out where to change and what bus to get on, after one weeks worth of practicing Spanish. It took a while, but at last we got a guy to translate, and found a local chicken bus to catch. And what an experience! Slaughtered birds and people on the roof, people living in shacks made of leafs and I think we could actually feel the sun getting hotter as we crossed the border. We were dripping wet and very tired when we reached Granada, and yet again tried to get some people to explain us the way to the hostel. This time in French. Man we're lingual!
We got to Bearded Monkey, the hostel, had a lovely cold shower and had a look around in Granadas charming, colonial style streets. We've spent our time here looking at the colourful houses, the beautiful old churches, the markets and other typical Central American stuff. After all we are becoming quite experienced tourists, and we're enjoying it.
However, we just figured it will take us two days on a bus to get to Guatemala City(and it leaves at 05), so we're not too excited to leave. But we are excited to get to the food festival that's awaiting us tonight! We love food!
