Although it was tempting to stay on Utila for longer, we knew we had to keep moving on. We spent our last night hanging out with our fly fishing friends, joking and exchanging stories. They were so kind to share their fajitas, in order to keep us from starving while we waited for our food at Evelyn's. This local eatery is infamous for long waits...like long waits. Like, just when you think you are going to starve, you wait longer. And then, just when you are about to give up, you wait a little bit longer. Then hopefully after this point your food arrives (or your neighbors and you just eat theirs). But the company was great. Our new friend Ray from Toronto joined us, and as the place emptied out a bit we combined tables with another full of people that were on the same boat as us on the first day. Our Mahi-Mahi and Tuna kabobs were delish, set to the tunes of Bob Marley, and chatting with Evelyn about why it takes forever was hilarious - "You know, I just like to put a lot of time and effort. I add lots of 'ingremedints' and it makes it so good." She was too sweet, and gave us her sons email who lives in Brooklyn.
We left Utila on the first ferry out the next day, making sure to stop at Thompson's Bakery for a few last cinnamon rolls. With no problems, we got to La Ceiba and got on a bus heading for Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. We were able to get in touch with our couch surfing host, Darwin, a very international guy who has lived in Germany for a few years and who is really into ACDC and The Strokes. Him and his friend took us out for food and drinks to a couple of really cool places. We got back a little later than we wanted but got some shut eye before being up around 5 am to catch the 6 am bus to Nicaragua. After much debate we took the mas caro option, although there was no threat of robbery or gunpoint experiences (which seemed to be almost guaranteed on that bus at that time). Alas, this bus served us breakfast and took care of border crossing proceedings. Little kids run around barefoot at the border, trying to make some coins by climbing into the baggage area to help move bags, causing chaos instead of actually helping.
But after no time at all we were driving through Nicaragua. It is hot here! Seriously. We were warned but didn't know what to expect. Of course, usually when in transit we wear our hiking boots and jeans, so we were suffering when on the minibus from Managua to Granada. As soon as we arrived at the Bearded Monkey hostel, we hopped in the shower for a much needed refresher. We went for lunch and a stroll around the city. Colorful colonial buildings and horse and buggie streets (yes, the smell of horse poopy is everywhere. a definite downside). We climbed to the top of Iglesia de la Merced where we got a 360 degree view of the city and watched the sun set over the mountains in the distance. We walked the main thoroughfair of restaurants and bars, bought some handmade jewery from a dready guy, and met up with our new friend Rupi! (Shout out to Rupi!!) We met here at lunch and decided to meet around 7 for drinks. She is taking a year off before starting residency and working in a hospital here in Granada for a month. We had a great time talking about trips we have taken and saying "no gracias" to the countless number of kids selling candy and cigarettes to us over and over again. Finally the one selling DVDs realized after the 3rd time that we were the same people he kept coming up to, and gave us a break! We bought some cigars at a place where a nice young man gave us the abridged tour in the humidor. So sweet, we had to. Plus is was nice and cool in there, so we delayed the time by asking questions and making conversation.
Today we are going to get breakfast and a place down the street that has huge bowls of yogurt and granola. Then we get on a bus to Rivas, where we then take a taxi to a ferry to Isla de Ometepe, to Finca El Zopilote. We will stay there for about 5 days, and are looking forward to beachy days and bread baking classes.
Loves and kisses
Soph and Kat
No comments:
Post a Comment