I believe that it has been 8 days since I have embarked on my adventure. Today we arrived in Granada which is 3 hours away from Leon, Nicaragua.
We are staying in the middle of town. The area that we are in has a bunch of bars and restaurants geared toward foreigners. I must admit that I ordered a hamburger at a local sports bar showing American baseball (Dodgers).
Since we had a long day yesterday volcano boarding and taking a tour of a mangrove by boat, the group is feeling pretty tired today. I am looking forward to going out to dinner tonight to an Asian fusion restaurant and to hanging out at a local bar afterwards.
It´s nice to have the chance to be in a city for more than a day. The only sad part about today is that we had to say goodbye to Marcos, our van driver. Now we are going to embark on the rest of our journey via chicken bus. I am looking forward to seeing and experiencing what the locals go through when they need to travel.
Well, I am exhausted and will try to write again later tomorrow since we have internet in our hotel.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
El Cuco
El Cuco is a beach area in El Salvador that is 3 hours away from Suchitoto. We stayed at this little hotel on the beach and had the entire place and pool to ourselves.
This was a tiny town and very poor. However, the hotel and beach that we were at was great.
This was a tiny town and very poor. However, the hotel and beach that we were at was great.
Suchitoto Waterfall Hike
The next day we awoke a little hung over for a 3 hour hike and waterfall experience in Suchitoto with Renee our tour guide. The walk was a little crazy as we went across bushes, mud and even crossed over barbed wire fences.
The site was beautiful and full of greenery. The hike was a little exhausting by the end. Our guide took us to two waterfalls that we could jump from. One was 36 feet high and the other around 20 feet high.
I decided to opt out of doing the 35 foot jump since I could not see the bottom since the water is brown and because I could not see where the rocks were at the bottom. As for the other jump, i was about to skip it, when something in my mind said just do it, and so i grabbed a hold of the rope swing and landed with the best belly flop of the group.
It was a good thing that the water was brown because halter top bikinis are not made for jumping in.
Overall, I would give this activity a thumbs up, despite my aversion to bugs, mud and physical exertion.
The site was beautiful and full of greenery. The hike was a little exhausting by the end. Our guide took us to two waterfalls that we could jump from. One was 36 feet high and the other around 20 feet high.
I decided to opt out of doing the 35 foot jump since I could not see the bottom since the water is brown and because I could not see where the rocks were at the bottom. As for the other jump, i was about to skip it, when something in my mind said just do it, and so i grabbed a hold of the rope swing and landed with the best belly flop of the group.
It was a good thing that the water was brown because halter top bikinis are not made for jumping in.
Overall, I would give this activity a thumbs up, despite my aversion to bugs, mud and physical exertion.
Suchitoto Town Experience
Suchichito which is in the mountains of El Salvador was so much fun. We got there late in the afternoon. That afternoon we hung around town and met some of the local kids. I fell in love with a little boy named Raul.
Later that night we had a group dinner at a Salvadorean place and I ordered pupusas and casamiento. In addition, we were served some bootleg shots by the owner of the bar who also happened to be our tour guide the next day.
After dinner we made our way to El Nieco which is a bar run by a former leftist guerilla. It had pictures of Che Guevarra and John Lennon. Beers were only a dollar which made for even more fun. I admit that our group got a little rowdy, but it was all in good fun. Later we all walked back to our hotel and sat on the top while watching the lightning and thunder storm above us.
Later that night we had a group dinner at a Salvadorean place and I ordered pupusas and casamiento. In addition, we were served some bootleg shots by the owner of the bar who also happened to be our tour guide the next day.
After dinner we made our way to El Nieco which is a bar run by a former leftist guerilla. It had pictures of Che Guevarra and John Lennon. Beers were only a dollar which made for even more fun. I admit that our group got a little rowdy, but it was all in good fun. Later we all walked back to our hotel and sat on the top while watching the lightning and thunder storm above us.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Travel Mates
There are 9 of us in the group. 4 from Canada, 4 (including me) from the US and 1 person from the UK. Our guide is an American from Texas who is around 23 and a big UT fan, so we have a lot to talk about. Our van driver Marcos is also very funny. He is driving us all the way until Granada, Nicaragua.
So, far we have lots of room in our van, so it makes things easy. Everyone in the group is pretty laid back and funny. Lots of jokes, thumb wars and name that song is going on in our tour van.
My roomie is Rosemary and she is 24, and from Canada. She is a sweetie, so I lucked out.
Anyways, I am going to give away more gum to the local kids and explore the city. Until the next internet cafe. Take Care. I am having the time of my life. Hope you are too.
So, far we have lots of room in our van, so it makes things easy. Everyone in the group is pretty laid back and funny. Lots of jokes, thumb wars and name that song is going on in our tour van.
My roomie is Rosemary and she is 24, and from Canada. She is a sweetie, so I lucked out.
Anyways, I am going to give away more gum to the local kids and explore the city. Until the next internet cafe. Take Care. I am having the time of my life. Hope you are too.
Suchichoto
We left Copan, Honduras for Suchichoto, El Salvador. Finally arrived here after a 6 hour drive. It took longer then expected due to a protest, which required us to make a detour.
So far, I love that El Salvador accepts USD. I have had to figure out Honduran and Guatemala exchange rates, which have been confusing.
We are going to a local restaurant for some authentic Salvadorean food and pupusas. Then we are going to have a drink at a local leftist bar called El Nieco. I will have the opportunity to have a shot with a former guerilla.
Tomorrow, we are going for a hike and then a swimming at a waterfall. Around 2pm, we will head out and drive for 3 hours to El Cuco, where we will stay for 2 days.
So far, I love that El Salvador accepts USD. I have had to figure out Honduran and Guatemala exchange rates, which have been confusing.
We are going to a local restaurant for some authentic Salvadorean food and pupusas. Then we are going to have a drink at a local leftist bar called El Nieco. I will have the opportunity to have a shot with a former guerilla.
Tomorrow, we are going for a hike and then a swimming at a waterfall. Around 2pm, we will head out and drive for 3 hours to El Cuco, where we will stay for 2 days.
Day 2 Update
Hola,
I am now in Suchichoto, El Salvador. Having a great time. There are nine other people in my group. Everyone is under age 40 and over age 23.
I managed to survive the hike up on the Pacaya Volcano. I thought I was going to have a heart attck on the way up. It was so frickin hard. I thought that jogging 3 miles a day would prepare me. Ummm, no. Letś just say the young kids and 60 year old guide was passing me by. I must also admit that I was last in my group to get up the mountain. I believe the hike was 5 miles up and about 2,000 elevation hike. I am not sure, since my guide only spoke Spanish.
I had a great time in Antigua, Guatemala and we left the next day at 5am for Copan, Honduras. After a 5 hour drive in a private van we made our way to Copan Ruins. We had an awesome tour with our bilingual guide Juan Carlos before the thunder and lightning started.
Had a group meal at a local restaurant, where the waitress served us drinks on her head. Then headed off to bed, exhausted.
I am now in Suchichoto, El Salvador. Having a great time. There are nine other people in my group. Everyone is under age 40 and over age 23.
I managed to survive the hike up on the Pacaya Volcano. I thought I was going to have a heart attck on the way up. It was so frickin hard. I thought that jogging 3 miles a day would prepare me. Ummm, no. Letś just say the young kids and 60 year old guide was passing me by. I must also admit that I was last in my group to get up the mountain. I believe the hike was 5 miles up and about 2,000 elevation hike. I am not sure, since my guide only spoke Spanish.
I had a great time in Antigua, Guatemala and we left the next day at 5am for Copan, Honduras. After a 5 hour drive in a private van we made our way to Copan Ruins. We had an awesome tour with our bilingual guide Juan Carlos before the thunder and lightning started.
Had a group meal at a local restaurant, where the waitress served us drinks on her head. Then headed off to bed, exhausted.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
I MADE IT
It is now 7pm local time here in Antigua. I managed to get a feel for the city for about two hours. I had a simple sandwich, for dinner, but don´t ask me what was in it, since i couldn´t understand the waitress and vice versa. Oh well, i think it was chicken.
I didn´t sleep much before my flight (worried that i would miss my flight). Not much sleep on the flight. Tomorrow i am signed up for a hike on an active volcano that is supposed to take 3 hours up and 2 hours down in the dark. i am not sure if i am more worried about whether the volcano is going to explode or my stomach, if i don´t watch what i eat. hehehehe.
anyways, i am exhausted, but totally taking in the sights, people and culture. i will be back tomorrow for an update.
cioa
I didn´t sleep much before my flight (worried that i would miss my flight). Not much sleep on the flight. Tomorrow i am signed up for a hike on an active volcano that is supposed to take 3 hours up and 2 hours down in the dark. i am not sure if i am more worried about whether the volcano is going to explode or my stomach, if i don´t watch what i eat. hehehehe.
anyways, i am exhausted, but totally taking in the sights, people and culture. i will be back tomorrow for an update.
cioa
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Almost Packed
So I managed to get most of my personal items for the trip into one backpack. I was a little confused about the new TSA guidelines for bringing liquids and gels in a carry on. I have to buy some clear quart size zip lock bags to put my shampoo and soaps in. Not sure how technical the agents will be since all I have are clear gallon zip locks.
Anyways, in my second bag (duffel), it will contain 20 notebooks, 15 rulers, and a bunch of pens and pencils. I am hoping to visit a school or two during my time in Central America and to practice up on my non-Spanish skills. :) Still trying to decide on whether to bring some candy for the kids there. My big concern is that I may end up eating it all on my flight to Guatemala.
I have made numerous lists and have been running around to various stores, buying items and then returning them because I found a better deal at another store (ie: 8gb SD memory card, sunglasses, etc...). I think I am done with shopping and look forward to spending tomorrow reading my Frommers Guide to Central America and checking my list to make sure once again that everything is ready to go.
Getting a little nervous, but also very excited.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Travel Itinerary
For those of you interested in following along with me... I leave Los Angeles on August 15th for Guatemala City. I will return on a flight from San Jose Costa Rica to September 1st.
Pre Tour Day - Saturday - Arrive Guatemala City - transfer to Antigua
Day 1 Sunday Antigua, GuatemalaDay 2 Monday Copan, Honduras
Day 3 Tuesday Suchitoto, Salvador
Day 4 Wednesday El Cuco
Day 5 Thursday El Cuco
Day 6 Friday Leon, Nicaragua
Day 7 Saturday, Leon
Day 8 Sunday Granada
Day 9 Monday Granada
Day 10 Tuesday Ometepe
Day 11 Wednesday Ometepe
Day 12 Thursday Monteverde, Costa Rica
Day 13 Friday Monteverde
Day 14 Saturday La Fortuna
Day 15 Sunday La Fortuna
Day 16 Monday San Jose
Day 17 Tuesday Departure
Count down is on, 5 days to go....
I have decided to embark on a new chapter of my life. No longer will I wait for others. Life is too short to live with regrets or fear. Despite some of the concerns I have about traveling alone and to another country, for an extended period of time, I would rather face those fears than to live with regret or the "should have" mindset.
With that said, and for those of you who know me... I need to create a list of things I need to pack and to research things, currency exchange rates and useful Spanish phrases for my trip (I already know the word for bathroom in Spanish, so I almost set).
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