The Kolden Report: A day in the life, Nicaragua. June 5th, 2014

Hello, kids!

With each sunrise over Apoyo Lagoon, I realized that this was NOT a bad place to live.  A Cuidador to care for the property, fence with gate to keep your possessions safe, paved road leading to the casa and a chicken house just down the road selling fresh eggs daily.  One would never need long johns or down coats, winter boots or mittens and the only fire needed would be to cook with.   Blankets didn't seem to be a necessity at least not this time of year.  We slept with just a sheet and did well.    Cooks and maids could be procured for little.   Tropical living was growing on me! 

Sunrises, such as this one, were well worth rising for. 

Litter seemed to be of no concern, sadly.  I imagine that it is a chore to dispose of it and I did see people burning. 

This wizened fellow was deep in thought.

I wondered what he was carrying in the sack?  Was it heavy?

I also wondered how far he had to travel as I looked at the condition of his left boot. 

Jay, determining if he could buy his propane locally.  (It can't be done.)

I wondered how the whites were kept so white, when likely this laundry was washed by hand?

Toys in the yard. 

Google translate struggled with this one.    Se Vende = sold.  Riquisimos can't be translated but Google says it is Portuguese.  Helades = healed.  De Frutas = the fruit.  Sold healed fruit?  Fruit will heal you, buy it now?  Only 2 cordoba.  Cheap!

Jay's cuidador. 

It is not uncommon to see a little transport bus  maintenance, being performed right in the road.  Hey, it's shady! 

Side by side.  (The pickup claims:  Blessings of God).

Jay, parked in front of his hotel, the "OK Corral".

Got to love the vivid colors.

The sign is small, easy to miss.  Unobtrusive is an apt description.

Cool hallways lead to an interior courtyard housing the reception area.

Decorative iron gating.

Tropical mural oversees tile scrubbing.

Back on the street, a trio of giant bells wait silently.

Fast taxi!  Perhaps the driver is late for a pickup?

So much going on here.  Tang advertising?  Decor or fly control on the horse?    Either way, hire him to haul for you.  Construction materials for sale on the right.    Gringo strolling on scene from the left, convertible pants and Teva's gave him away. 

And then we spotted THIS. 

Citronauts of America Mixed.  Okay..........

From Argentina?    Only 3806 miles, border to border.  Wowza!  Love the adventuresome spirit. 



Bet THESE roads contained a challenge or two for the Citronauters!

And then I spied this fellow (face full of character) and wondered how far he had hobbled on crutches to get his morning coffee?

More to come!

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"Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master.  For this reason mastery demands all of a person."  - Albert Einstein
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The Kolden Report: Take the long way home, Nicaragua, June 4th, 2014

Hello, kids!

Paradiso Hostel...yin-yang.

Serious root wad in the yard.

Lathe and welding, Monday through Saturday 8am-6pm.  Hard worker!  (Google translate again tells me that some of the language is Portuguese!)

Buy coke and a phone...

Nica snack platter.  Ribs, chicken, dog, onion rings, sweet deep friend banana chips, salsa, beans and rice, ......and a decorative veggie/fruit assortment.  Vinegar and a sauce that seemed to be a ketchup/mayo combo. 

Artful arrangement.

Down along the lake shore, Apoyo resort. 

Tagging, Nica style.

The sign says, "Slowly."

Wicked trees.

The road less traveled.  We thought perhaps the road would wind around and take up back to the top of the lagoon (thus home).  But the farther we went, the narrower and rougher the road became.  Eventually, we turned back.

Back on top, road side vendors awaited those who may be hungry or thirsty.

Ancient one.  (And still moving at a good clip!)

Volcano view.

Night life.

Up next:  A day in the life.

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"Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others." - Plato
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www.kittykolden.com

The Kolden Report: Masaya Market, Nicaragua, June 4, 2014

 Hello, kids!

I had been told not to purchase souvenirs but to wait until shopping the Masaya market.  That day had finally come!  And what a day it was, starting with exploring twin volcanoes. 

I wasn't sure what to expect and as we approached, still couldn't tell what this market would have in store for us.

Open air bakery.

Inside the market, a conglomeration of tin roof buildings, merchandise was displayed floor to ceiling. 

Booths, with no visible means of separation, crowded together along narrow hallways.  I could see an action movie being shot here as the villain chases the hero through this market!

Critters of all types were "stuffed" in with trinkets and baubles of all ilk.

A young raccoon is being "ridden" by a smaller,  weaselish critter. 

 
Handcrafted items made of wood and pottery were plentiful.

Leather goods, straw hats and colorful textiles were abundant as well.

I could not go home without buying some pottery.  The shop keep wrapped it ever so carefully in old newspaper.  Prices were so ridiculous, I found myself dreaming of an import business, shipping  a container of handmade pottery back to the US for resale to help the Nica local artisans. 

It was a bit claustrophobic inside and although we were told this was NOT a busy day, the exterior seemed a bit crowded as well.

How creative!  A wheel chair bike with handles rather than pedals. 

 
And it was secured in every way possible with a lock and chain. 

Snacks for sale.

I couldn't help but notice the ginormous bolt cutters for sale, right next to the children's goods! 

Colgate in bulk. 

Dogs, dogs....everywhere.  I asked why they didn't eat them since they were so plentiful and spay/neuter is not common.  That got me a look!

The exterior grounds could use "spiffing" up a bit.

Outside, there was a long circular driveway, the center of which contained produce vendors.

The brightly colored produce would be more appealing were it not for the heaps of rubbish.  I wondered if the trash would be picked up at some point?

Huge baskets must be quite heavy.  I wondered if horse drawn wagons delivered the food here?

Up next:  Drive about!

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"You have power over your mind - not outside events.  Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius

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www.kittykolden.com