Day 2 – Granada, Nicaragua
Filed Under international travel
Granada, Nicaragua – November 28, 2008
I really cannot believe that I have only been in Nicaragua for about 36 hours. I have seen so much and met so many other travelers that it feels like I have been here for a week. I hoped to have taken it easy yesterday, but Granada is a walking city and the sights must be seen. I haven´t been traveling alone since I got off the plane (among my growing group of travel friends is a Dutch guy who was on my flight from Atlanta). Traveling with others is a plus as well as a negative. It is nice to explore the area with company, but I hope to find solitude for a while on this trip. I find it hard to say no to exploring different places with excited backpackers. Being a just-shy-of 33-year old guy hanging out with those who are 5 to 10 years younger makes me feel my age. Most have become fit with weeks – sometimes months – of backpacking through Central and South America. They have come here by way of crossing the border by bus on their journey north or south and very few are just here for Nicaragua. Those I have talked to have been pleasantly surprised by the country and find it becoming one of their favorite American countries. I too have fallen for Nicaragua. This second trip is more comfortable and my Spanish skills, although not neccesary due to being with better speakers, are strong enough to talk with locals and ask to take their photo. I have started a collection of portraits and I can´t wait to share them with you when I return.
I underestimated the difficulty in dealing with the heat and humidity, which side effects include constant sweating and a endless desire for water, but I know my body will adapt soon. I hope it is soon. I´m starting to sweat now and it is only 830 in the morning!
Today I have organized a group trip to Laguna de Apoyo. 5 to 6 of us are taking public transportation to Caipirinha to check out the markets around noon, then heading down to the lake to stay at The Monkey Hut hostel for a night before heading back here tomorrow. The Monkey Hut is owned by the same people as this hostel, The Bearded Monkey.
If the events of my first 36 hours in the country are any indication of how the rest of my trip will go, then I feel I´ve made the right decision to come back to Nicaragua.
Talk to you again soon
Kolby
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