Nicaragua

Last weekend we had a four-day weekend for Thanksgiving. A group of 20 of us decided to go to Nicaragua on this tour where almost everything was included for a cheap price. We didn't go to sleep on Wednesday night and left San Ramon at 2:30 Thursday morning to head to the border. After around 7 hours of traveling, we arrived at our hostel in Granada. 

The tour guide only spoke Spanish, so it was so awesome and validating that at the end of this semester, we were able to take a whole tour with no English and be able to understand and ask questions.  

Our first adventure was to go to a viewpoint of Lake Nicaragua where we would eat lunch and enjoy some beautiful views. On the way, I snapped some photos out of the bus. This country is very different.

After the lake, we headed to the capital, Managua. It is interesting, I thought that Costa Rica had no regulations, but Nicaragua is on a whole other level. It was a completely normal site to see people traveling down the highway in truck beds, whether they were hanging out together or tucked in amongst bags of food. People would be crammed into buses with the back doors open hanging out, and we even saw some people on the roof rack of a bus. 

Managua was a very cool place, especially because we came at the time of festivities. Nativity scenes lined the streets as giant floats and fireworks were going off all around the country at all times of the day. There is a beautiful church in the center that survived an earthquake. It is all cracked and looks like it is going to fall apart at any moment, but is still standing. 

That night we had a nice thanksgiving feast on the streets with everyone. The food was cheap and delicious! I am so thankful for this group of people that I am with and how everyone is so close. We are literally a family and everyone is so supportive of each other. Everyone is so different, but so united. This groups has definitely shaped my experience here and I would not trade anything for it.

The next day we started with a boat tour of these islands created by a volcano nearby blowing up. There is a group of over 300 little islands, some smaller than a house.We got to feed monkeys and learn about the gossip of the people who have houses there (owners of largest alcohol company in Nica lives there, that woman is 27 and single, that couple is gay, ect). It was pretty funny. 

After the island tour we headed to Volcano Masaya. This was probably one of the coolest things I have done. I know I keep saying this, but it is so cool to have my mind blown constantly. We were actually able to walk up to the edge of the cliff of the crater of an active volcano (was active and closed last year) and breathe in volcanic gases. It even burned your nose and throat. There were signs saying park your car backwards, so you can peel out if needed. It was wild. 

After the volcano we headed to this market where people bought gifts and whatnot. It was really cool to see where locals shopped and to walk around people watching.

The next day we walked around Granada in the morning and did some sight seeing. Went to a really cool hammock shop where they employ deaf people and other with disabilities. Then, while walking along I spotted a cool looking market off the street in a field. It looked non-touristy, so I decided to check it out. Jackpot! Turns out it was a market with every stand containing fireworks. Everything from small little crackers to huge $60 fireworks. I gave them all the money I had and got a good amount of things. My day was made.

After I found the fireworks we packed up and headed to San Juan del Sur on the coast. We got there, ate some good cheap tacos on the beach and then headed out on a little walk to the cliffs to overlook the city. It was too beautiful. I spent a good half hour sitting by myself reflecting on this crazy journey that I have been through these past four months and I couldnt have been happier. This experience has changed my life immensely and I have met such wonderful people and seen such amazing things. We watched the sun go down and disappear on the horizon; a perfect way to end such a beautiful day. 

On the way to dinner we came across a giant beetle. Cindy wanted it, so we made her put it in her hand in order to have the rights. She did well :) 

After dinner it was fireworks on the beach, which is always a good time. 

The next day we decided to go paddle boarding, so we rented a few boards and headed to a beach Playa Madera. It was so much fun! I caught a couple good waves where I rode them all the way in and even caught a wave with one of my friends on the board! We were both standing but once we caught it we fell, but stayed on the board and rode it a ways. I definitely need to paddle board again.

All in all this trip was way over what I was expecting. I had no clue what to expect, but my mind was being constantly blown. I have always been a happy person, but I cannot remember the last time I have been so content with life. I don't know if it is because I finally know what I want to do with my life and it is validating, or I have just had the best time these past few months. Probably a mix of everything. Nonetheless, I am purely happy right now and it could not feel better.