So many things to update folks on over the past few days! I suppose I will go in chronological order (apologies in advance as I feel this will be a longer update).
We had a great few last days in San Juan del Sur, and departed Monday morning for Leon via a bus from SJDS to Rivas, another bus from Rivas to Managua, Taxi, and another colectivo Taxi to Leon (meaning simply that it is a Taxi with many people and cheaper than an actual Taxi). This journey was particularly (and unfortunately) rough as we had some issues getting to the right bus terminal in Managua. We had heard the bus from Rivas went to a the Huembres terminal in Managua, and we needed to be at the UCA terminal. However, the folks getting us on the bus said this one did indeed go to UCA (and that there was no need to transfer buses in Jenotepe - a small city along the way). Considering the fare was about $2 and it was a full bus, it is hard to imagine they were that hard pressed for business. Alas, they (you know what us) and just outside Managua told us the bus did NOT go to UCA, and worse, that they never told us it went to UCA (they did, about 4 times... telling 2 other travelers on the bus with us the same thing). This was bad on many levels, namely the fact you do not want to be stuck on the side of the road in Managua when the only Taxis in sight are the ones that just ¨happened to be at the exact spot the bus dropped you off¨. What´s worse: I have generally found in my travels that bus drivers and those working the bus lines are 9/10 times very helpful and trustworthy. Nicaragua is the first country I´ve visited where I´ve found quite the opposite to be true -- just very sad and frustrating in general. Trying to scam us on the Taxi fare I get, as people make very little money here. But telling us that you go somewhere you don´t (and to get our unneeded business)? That I have trouble comprehending. OK, tirade over...
Having arrived successfully and safely in Leon we immediately decided to stay an extra day. On every corner was an iglesia as beautiful and impressive as the last. Colonially styled and built in the 17th and 18th centuries, each edifice beckoned to us to take time to explore it individually and with purpose. (I think by now we have both seen enough colonial churches for one trip!) We were able to take a walking tour around town during the day, including some spectacular people watching from the central park and also take some fabulous photos. The highlight (churches aside) was definitely the museum of ¨Myths and Legends¨ inside an old prison, complete with larger than life size paper-mâché manikins.
The last night we went to a great restaurant where I had one of the best meatball sandwiches ever created, and Amber ordered something that made her wish she had ordered the meatball sandwich. (Yes mother, I offered it to her and she was able to partake in the heavenly deliciousness.)
Oh! And how could I forget... our room in Leon was spectacular. Huge room, large private bath, and our own two rockers along a patio out front (to yell at the loud kids of course!). Leon was also the first city I have visited in a long time that I wish we could have spent more time in. Oh well -- we will just have to return at some point in the future!
We had a great few last days in San Juan del Sur, and departed Monday morning for Leon via a bus from SJDS to Rivas, another bus from Rivas to Managua, Taxi, and another colectivo Taxi to Leon (meaning simply that it is a Taxi with many people and cheaper than an actual Taxi). This journey was particularly (and unfortunately) rough as we had some issues getting to the right bus terminal in Managua. We had heard the bus from Rivas went to a the Huembres terminal in Managua, and we needed to be at the UCA terminal. However, the folks getting us on the bus said this one did indeed go to UCA (and that there was no need to transfer buses in Jenotepe - a small city along the way). Considering the fare was about $2 and it was a full bus, it is hard to imagine they were that hard pressed for business. Alas, they (you know what us) and just outside Managua told us the bus did NOT go to UCA, and worse, that they never told us it went to UCA (they did, about 4 times... telling 2 other travelers on the bus with us the same thing). This was bad on many levels, namely the fact you do not want to be stuck on the side of the road in Managua when the only Taxis in sight are the ones that just ¨happened to be at the exact spot the bus dropped you off¨. What´s worse: I have generally found in my travels that bus drivers and those working the bus lines are 9/10 times very helpful and trustworthy. Nicaragua is the first country I´ve visited where I´ve found quite the opposite to be true -- just very sad and frustrating in general. Trying to scam us on the Taxi fare I get, as people make very little money here. But telling us that you go somewhere you don´t (and to get our unneeded business)? That I have trouble comprehending. OK, tirade over...
Having arrived successfully and safely in Leon we immediately decided to stay an extra day. On every corner was an iglesia as beautiful and impressive as the last. Colonially styled and built in the 17th and 18th centuries, each edifice beckoned to us to take time to explore it individually and with purpose. (I think by now we have both seen enough colonial churches for one trip!) We were able to take a walking tour around town during the day, including some spectacular people watching from the central park and also take some fabulous photos. The highlight (churches aside) was definitely the museum of ¨Myths and Legends¨ inside an old prison, complete with larger than life size paper-mâché manikins.
The last night we went to a great restaurant where I had one of the best meatball sandwiches ever created, and Amber ordered something that made her wish she had ordered the meatball sandwich. (Yes mother, I offered it to her and she was able to partake in the heavenly deliciousness.)
Oh! And how could I forget... our room in Leon was spectacular. Huge room, large private bath, and our own two rockers along a patio out front (to yell at the loud kids of course!). Leon was also the first city I have visited in a long time that I wish we could have spent more time in. Oh well -- we will just have to return at some point in the future!
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