The More Natural Side of Nicaragua

Last Saturday we spent the day playing witness to Nicaragua's abundant natural splendor.

We drove out to Volcán Masaya, a series of volcanic crators, some of which are still active. The San Tiago crator bollowed out huge plumes of smoke over the entiery of our visit.

Named the Mouth of Hell by the conquistadors who "discovered" it, the San Tiago crator remains one of the more active volcanos in Nicaragua, last erupting in 2001. In order to contain the evil, the Spaniards errected a large cross overseeing the volcano. The original one has long since been destroyed by the motions of the volcano, but they have replaced it since it last fell.

In keeping with the volcano theme, we then drove down to the Laguna de Apoyo, a huge lagoon that now fills a once active crator. The sulfer from the volcano continues to pass into the lagoon, which is apparently the cause of the intense aquamarine color of the water.

The laguna is home to a myriad of hostels and vacation spots. We patronized one called Crater's Edge, which is awesomely beautiful. Fitting a stereotype of a tropical paradise retreat. They offer massages, a lagoon-side bar, and most importantly, wonderfully warm water to swim or kayak in. They served us omelet sandwiches on banana leaves, which we enjoyed from the rocking chairs overlooking the lagoon.

Much clearer than what I am used to swimming in, it was strange to be able to see the bottom of the lagoon, but be unable to swim far enough down to reach it. The depth increases rapidly as you move away from the water's edge, twenty feet from the shore I found myself unable to reach the bottom despite my best efforts.

In keeping with it's surreal, paradise feel. Crater's Edge plays haven to numerous animals. There are numerous cats lounging around the retreat, as well as two squirrels that the owner has begun feeding after their mother abandoned them in the aftermath of one of the many rainy season storms. Having been somewhat domesticated, the squirrels had no problem approaching us, one quickly scaled my leg and disappeared into my shirt. Eventually lured out with the appearance of it's own lunch.

Arrival

I have made it to Nicaragua. For those interested in my survival, I continue to live and function normally and have not been kidnapped or acquired some horrid disease, at least to my knowledge. I arrived in Managua around noon yesterday, having missed my original flight to Nicaragua due to my connecting flight needing to under maintenance for their malfunctioning air-conditioning. I ended up spending the night in Miami, American Airlines was kind enough to put me up in a local hotel and give me twenty five dollars worth of airport food coupons. The night was uneventful and I made it south of the border with little incident.

The view from the plane was amazing. The picture does not do the view justice, trying to appropriately represent the beauty with a picture taken from an airplane window is a difficult task. I spent a good amount of the flight in awe of the turquoise ocean below me.


I am unsure of what to talk about in my blog. There is far too much to know where to begin, so perhaps I will start with the basics and gradually work my way up.

For those that do not know, I am working with the Center for Development in Central America, which you can read about at http://www.jhc-cdca.org/

Located in scenic Ciudad Sandino, outside of Managua, the compound sports a number of buildings encased in a rather imposing fence. The volunteer dorm is toward the back end of the compound, and is a two story building. The long term volunteers stay on the second floor and the short term delegations stay in the bunks on the bottom. It is also where we gather for meals. Here is a picture of my room. It's rather spartan but all I really have need for is the bed and fan. I have not had much time to become otherwise established, but I'm sure it will only get less organized as time goes on.

The Story So Far

The sky was awash in the gold of the breaking day as my mother dropped me off at Boston's Logan Airport, where I would take the first step in a long and convoluted dance from Massachuseetts, to the Carolinas, and eventually Nicaragua. As the sun slowly rose I made my way through the newly improved security screening area and into the long boarding line. Like industrial livestock the Air Tran personnel herded us into the plane and to our tightly packed seats. I stashed my backpack above me and then promptly fell asleep.

Two hours later I walked out of Charlotte's Airport and into a wall of heat and cigarette smoke. Though it usually measures higher than that of Massachusetts, I have found the heat of Carolina to be easier to endure than that up north. Perhaps it is because one expects the heat, as opposed to in the north, where the weather is fickle and unreliable.

From Charlotte I made my way to Asheville, and after two weeks of lazing about and visiting friends I found myself traveling yet again to Edisto Island, South Carolina. Two days later I arrived at my current location, the lovely Charleston International Airport, where I am currently waiting to board my 3:50pm flight to Miami. I am scheduled to take the 5:50pm flight to Nicaragua today, however I don't think that I will make my flight.

A Brief Introduction

Hello Internet,

This marks my second attempt at a blog. Hopefully this one will find more success in it's upkeep than my last. I am writing this because I love to travel, I enjoy food, and I like writing and pontificating about both.

In a week I am departing for Nicaragua, where I will spend the next five months or so volunteering with the Center for Development in Central America. To create some sort of writing based structure I am obligating myself to this blog. I pledge to update at least once a week, hopefully more if inspiration strikes.

"Go places and eat things" It's the Bruno family motto. My family goes through grocery stores the way other families view museums. I have been lucky enough to travel to Europe and Asia in the past, but have never ventured out of U.S borders while on my home continent. Nicaragua, and the world of Central America is a completely new culture for me. One of many that I live in relatively close proximity too, yet have never seen and know little about. Though I can buy books and research the country with the convenience of the Internet, it is a step into the relatively unknown. It is my desire to learn and experience a new culture, and capture what I've learned on the page so that I may share it with the rest of you.

- Paul

Thank you for reading my blog. If you wish to make any comments, point out incorrect grammar, agree or disagree with my claims, or just want to say hello, please feel free to leave a post or shoot me an email.