Nicaragua: Bring the instinct and the sunscreen.

I believe Albert Einstein once said, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I do not dare differ with these words. But I would like to say insanity is also putting yourself on a bus for 13 hours from San Salvador to Managua, Nicaragua. 

Kristin and I at 4:30 a.m about to leave for Nicaragua. Obviously, Kristin's eyes are wide awake. 

Luckily, 2 border crossings, a couple of questions about a bag of tampons and 13 hours of a Dramamine induced coma later, we managed to survive the bus trip. Unfortunately, we got into Managua later than expected so we had to stay the night. But we got to explore the mall, eat some yummy pizza and do a little shopping. Life was good.

   

Next day off to Grenada.

Welcome to our new room. You had to climb the stairs of death (no easy feat with a 50 pound backpack on) and squeeze into a small linen closet with a bed a.k.a our room. 

The climb to our lofted closet, I mean room.

First order of business: Iced coffees :)

Next up explore: A church in Grenada

Another beautiful church.

I am enjoying this pottery museum way too much. 

Wow, that's how they make chocolate?? Secretly, this is my second time at a chocolate museum in Central America, but who is counting?

A breathtaking view of the city of Grenada

The girls and I adventured to the lake where we discovered cannons, but if you look closely there are millions of gnats flying in front of the camera. We were in a swarm of them.... all for a stupid picture with a cannon. 

Day 2: Proper hygiene might be in order. But I might have lost it along the way.

I was trying to be a kind roommate and not cut my toenails in the room (instead I chose to cut them over the edge of our "balcony" where they dropped into the walkway of our fellow hostile friends).  I know what you are thinking, eeeewwwwwww seriously Kate?!? But let me explain I was merely adding to the decor of this janky hostile. 

But let's be honest my nasty toenails were about to be the least of our problems.

Kristin, Jenna, Colleen, Yenna and I get this brilliant idea to go to Masaya, a town about 20 minutes from Grenada and check out their art market. We hopped onto a chicken bus and headed out. I immediately notice this guy being real sketchy. He kept looking at me and the other girls. There was just something that wasn't right about him. We get into the bus stop at Masaya and it is an absolute free for all. When I think of a Central American market this is exactly the thing I think of. Vendors EVERYWHERE selling: clothes, shoes, candy, food, live chickens and roosters, you think of it and it was probably being sold there. It was absolute chaos.

So of course we are all in awe that we have lived in Central America for almost a year and not experienced a market like this. And this is when the sketchy man seizes his opportunity. 

As we are getting off the bus he bumps me, I turn around a give him the evil eye and he immediately apologizes. This was his way of trying to get me to take my hand off my bag, but he picked the wrong girl. Next he bumps Jenna and here is where the madness begins. Just after he bumps Jenna, he starts jumping over seats to get off the bus and then it dawns on Jenna that he has just pick pocketed her. She glances down and realizes her wallet is gone....

Jenna actually considered chasing after this man, but in the madness of a wallet being taken, there is no rationalizing with some people. So as we get off the bus, in a bit of a whirlwind, we realize that almost this entire market has stopped to stare at the 5 gringas who just got robbed. 

The madness is very deceiving from the picture.

GREAT! On top of being white girls and sticking out, now everyone was staring at us. So I wrangled us up and we headed for the market. But once again that funny little thing called instinct kicked in. I looked at the girls and we all just said let's get out of here.

So we chose to head to the most tranquil place we could think of, Laguna de Apoyo. It is a lake in a crater of a volcano. 

Lago de Apoyo. Not a sole in sight. It was an excellent way to relax and forget about the earlier events.

The company was great too!

Enjoying a nice afternoon beer at the lake. 

After a leisure day at the lake, we headed back to the hostel....in a taxi and avoided the market of robbery!!

Dinner with a beautiful group of friends: Dom, Yenna, Colleen, Kristin, myself and Jenna. 

Next, we were off to dance...

I got the pleasure of dancing with this fine gentleman. Kristin was dancing with his boyfriend (if you get my drift). I will say it was very obvious he was not into girls. But at least I could practice my salsa dancing.

I am a lucky girl.

Loving each moment. I get to see the world and share it with some amazing friends.  

Nicaragua part II.....

Coming soon

El Salvador

When one adventures ends, another one begins. 

Kristin and I started out our backpacking adventures headed for the beaches of El Salvador.

I can't quite describe how Kristin and I looked but all I can say is that our, give or take, 50lbs backpacks were stuffed to the brim....maybe even overflowing a bit and Kristin had a front backpack while I had a large duffel bag.... PACKED to the BRIM!!

So we get on the bus from Santa Rosa Copan to try and get to La Palma, El Salvador. First bus ride...we stood for the first hour. Of course we were real happy about that!

This is my "happy I am standing on the bus" face.

We arrived in La Palma, with our taxi driver who kept telling us "muchos parties en El Salvador", 2 beers and a pupusa and we were out like a light at 7:30 p.m. Muchos parties are going to have to wait!!

Now, I would love to say that the next day of traveling was glamorous. But I would be leading you astray. We arrive in San Salvador and are promptly kicked off our bus, put on another bus, we then found ourselves walking 5 blocks with our backpacks in the middle of San Salvador. You better believe you learn to power through the heat, sweat and pain of a 50 pound backpack when your adrenaline is going because you are not sure if you are in a dangerous part of town or not. But all 

Next stop El Tunco, El Salvador. Bathing suite, check.

Black sand beaches and loving life. El Salvadorian style

Our evening was filled with delicious food and some interesting company. But what girl doesn't love having a few drinks and dancing with one of her best friends in El Salvador. 

Beautiful

First day of "real" vacation!! WAHOOOO

I know this might come as a surprise to you, but the next day... we hung out at the beach. Soaking in the sun and watching the surfers. It is a tough life, but someones got to do it and for right now, it is me. 

Our favorite cafe, delicious food!

View from my beach towel.

 Handstands on the beach? Don't mind if I do. 

Or a jumping picture!

Now the real fun begins.

I have had my fair share of small world encounters, but I believe this one takes the cake. Kristin and I decided to go to a bar right next to our hostel because they had advertised for 2 x1 Margaritas. We walk in and I hear "Kate" and look over to see my friend Adam sitting at the bar. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would run into someone I knew on my backpacking trip.

He owns a house about 10 minutes from El Tunco, so he invited us over for a barbecue and beers. 

Dan and I doing childish high-five games. 

Riding to the house for a little swimming and barbecue.

Dan and Adam's beautiful pool with a swim up bar. Nice work guys!

Best hungover juice: coconut water straight from a coconut that Adam cut down for us. Thanks dude!

I had an amazing time in El Salvador. I met some amazing people, enjoyed some downtime and layed on a beautiful black sand beach. What more can a girl ask for?

But all relaxing vacations must end. Next up, a 12 hour bus ride to Managua, Nicaragua....

Wish us luck :)

Good-byes are hard..... very hard. This is especially true when you go into a new country, don't speak the language or know the culture and you learn and grow as a person. 


If I haven't said it enough, I will say it again. I am eternally thankful for all the wonderful people and experiences I had while living in Gracias. I gained a love for life, I had not yet known was out there. 


I knew leaving Gracias, my Honduran friends, my Minerva family and my American friends was going to be hard, but you don't actually know how hard it is going to be, till your knee deep in tears, wishing that it wasn't the end. And yes there were lots of tears.


But all good things must end and with each door closing a new one opens. Good-bye to a wonderful year, you will be in my heart always. 


Our last time with our University students. We are going to miss these beautiful girls, who always made us laugh... more like they laughed at my Spanish ;) But they were amazing. 

Last dinner with the staff of Minerva. 

Mi mejor amiga, Kristin

We have a fun group of teachers. 

Beautiful girls

Minerva staff with our matching shirts!! Love it

Last night in the park with Kobbs ice cream. Yummy

The madness of the last few days started with my last bus ride with our bus driver Roberto. This was my company on the ride...

Little Miss Suzanne. 

Closing Ceremonies.... Good-bye Minerva. 

American teachers

Kristin, Luis and I hanging out at the gate. We are going to miss Luis!!

Kristin and I were the welcoming committee.

Sherlyn, Xochil and I, adorable!!

Manual and I...cool sunglasses. He gave me a bracelet and told me he was very thankful for me.... and I am not even his teacher. Love him.

Delmy, Heylin and I....sadness :(

Danya and Daniel, two of the cutest kids ever.

The teachers and I singing "Stand By Me". Who doesn't love a good old sing along to close the school year?

This was right before we all lost it... It was a crying fest after this.

Evidence of the crying fest. 

One of my favorite students, Francisco. He is definitely in the pocket. (A person in the pocket, is an unforgettable person, who is very special)

My favorite person, Magdiel. He is in the pocket for sures. 

One of the things I am surprisingly going to miss, the wildlife. Our neighbor's horse had a colt, the day before we left. This little guy is definitely going in the pocket ;)

God has blessed me with an extraordinary life. So thankful for each memory, moment and experience I had while down here. It changed me for the better and I am eternally grateful. 

Next up.... backpacking through Central America with Kristin. Let the madness begin.