Nicragua - San Juan Del Sur - part 1

I know I've done a terrible job of keeping you all posted on my adventures, so I'm going to be good for this one. As this is the week when USAC (my school program) plans a week long trip, we have no school. They are going to Nicaragua and seeing a few sights in Costa Rica I've already seen. Therefore, myself and two girlfriends decided to set out for Nicragua on our own to see more of the country for less money. (USAC charges 500 bucks, a little steep when money goes even farther in Nicaragua than it does in Costa Rica). So today marks day one.

We started out at 7:30 this morning in a taxi for the bus stop a little ways out of town. I didn't quite start out on the right foot considering I went out with a few of my neighbor friends I hadn't seen in a long time last night. Nothing crazy, but enough to just feel out of it come sunshine. Oops. Note to self, do not drink the night before traveling.

We had to wait for a few buses to pass which were full until one let us on though it was standing room only. It was a bus for the border town Peñas Blancas. I spent 3.5 hours standing (getting carsick) then sitting in the isle of a completely overcrowded bus. Luckily there was a nice breeze through the windows and eventually I snagged a spot on the step in front with a view out the front and my stomach calmed down, possibly sparing my fellow passengers a view of what I had for breakfast. Completely wiped and out of it, I was granted a seat for the last 20 minutes of the ride. We are taking a reserved bus home so we wont have that problem.

The border was completely confusing and after the sky opened up and poured on us while getting our luggage from under the bus, we found a taxi driver who helped us through all the lines for passport approval and crossing. Two slow lines, a whole lot of walking, confusing money exchange and a few confusing fee payments later, we were in the taxi and on our way to San Juan Del Sur. I think I passed out for part of the drive, but I don't know for how long. In any case, I still am in dire need of a nap. I need my energy because we are planning to go out tonight as Saturday is a good night and it's supposed to be a big party town. Hey, that's just what surfers do after dark.

The town is pretty quaint with a whole lot of non-Nicaraguan surf dudes hanging out all over. The people so far have been really warm and friendly. We're staying at a hotel called Casa del Oro in a room that more closely resembles a house attic. My mattress is completely worn out and my pillow is a couch throw cushion. Hey, it's a place to sleep and only 6 bucks a night. Hoping to get some good food tonight to make up for it. There's a surf tournament tomorrow at Madera Beach, just north of here, and we're hoping to check that out tomorrow. That's all the excitement for now, check back soon!

Home for the next couple nights

Complimentary shuttle- seat belts not required (nor available)