Nica Nica Nicaragua

Nicaragua proved to be a country so rich in culture that we melted into the mix of it all with submissive ease. Arriving in Leon late in the afternoon we found an energetic hostel where we met a handful of folks who had some solid recommendations about the country. Leon allowed us to relax, wonder around the city streets in search for savory street food, and collect information from other travelers. We left the backpacker scene of Leon and ventured south towards Granada. Getting an early start we decided to spend a few hours at Playa Pochomil surfing and lounging in the sun. The beach was desolate with ok waves and seemed to be a perfect stop before entering the city of Granada where glamorous architecture gleamed above the central plaza. The quite, clean and comfortable Oasis hostel became our base camp for exploring the colonial lakeside city of Granada. Wondering the streets we seemed to always find ourselves arriving in the central plaza where the night lights lit up the open plaza for friendly soccer games where broken bikes provided goals for the serious street competitors. The city was alive at night with hidden bars, international cuisine, lovers on park benches, international movies at the cultural center, greasily scrumptious street food, and music flowing out of second story windows. During the day the bustle surrounded the market and cars zoomed around the abandoned streets from anoche. Hanging out in hammocks during the mid day sun we struck up a friendship with some volunteers at a nearby orphanage who proceeded to invite us to come visit.

We arrived at San Jorge and drove the back roads towards the lake side orphanage of Casa Asis. Mary and Siri welcomed us in and began to introduce us the children, teachers, and other volunteers. The children were so full of love as they came running to hug the bearded visitors. The smiles and laughter seemed to never end as the children ran around, giggled at our accents, tugged on our facial hair and welcomed us into their community. To see these joyful children from ages 2-7 here in a safe environment where they were genuinely loved and cared for after coming from street lives, abusive families or unwanting parents overflowed my heart with happiness. After spending the day with the kids we stayed at the orphanage that night hanging out with Mary & Siri. Their hospitality seemed endless as we ate typical Nicaraguan food and shared stories before acostando en una buena cama. Breakfast with the ninos and off to la Isla de Ometepe. The orphanage looked out at Lake Nicaragua where two stunning volcanoes rose out of the waters upon the forested Isla. We waved goodbye to the kids and promised we would return within the next few days.

A choppy ferry ride over had us on the island and eventually walking 10 kilometers of dirt roads through small towns, farmland and lake side beaches to the Italian run organic farm of Zopilote. The jungle finca which attracted peace loving travelers with a desire to eat good natural food, work on the farm or just rest in hammocks became our home stay on the island. We met many friendly folks while munching on fresh bread, home made jams, organic nutella, and mud oven pizza. Days passed playing chess, swimming in the lake, comiendo bien, swinging in hammocks, reading, sharing travel stories and watching the sun set behind the volcano creating a colorful palate upon the lake water below. A couple of days of relax on the Island had me ready to get back to the orphanage and hang out with the kids. We met up with a traveling artesian / cook from France with a Mexican accent and buena onda. Riding la lancha back to San Jorge we walked the beach to the orphanage following the sounds of laughter coming from the fields below. It was “field day” and all the kids came running over grabbing our hands and inviting us to take part in the day’s activities. Mary greeted us with an amazing lunch spread; it felt good to be back at Casa Asis. A day of games, laughter, smiles and heeeelarity proceeded. It felt good to be part of something so positive, being welcomed into the orphanage was a genuinely unique experience that provided a sense of purpose and community for us. It was hard to leave the happy faces and new friendships of Casa Asis. Waving goodbye to Mary, Siri and los ninos we pilled in the car and drove to Costa Rica.

Crossing into Costa Rica we waited patiently until all the papers were in order and were soon on our way towards the Nicoya Peninsula. Just about to leave the border we ran back into Abe and Ashley from Oregon hitchhiking. They had stayed on the island for a couple days longer and now we were all re-acquainted to start our adventures through Costa Rica. Rufles, Ashley, Vic, Abe and I all squeezed into the already gear packed Blazer and zoomed south. The good vibes of Nicaragua, its people, food, new friendships, beautiful landscape, stunning structures and rich culture floated through the air on our journey towards the lesser traveled beaches of northern Costa Rica. Pura Vida man!!!!