Matagalpa
Day 330 Sat 30/7
Wake up early as has been the norm this trip; head for a walk up some steep roads surrounding the hostel for the views of the green rolling hills around the town; breakfast of gallo pinto and eggs (typical Nica breakfast); walk around town; lovely catedral! back to hostel thanks to rain; read; wander around when rain stops; Xmen at night.
Day 331 Sun 31/7
Had breakfast with an American girl who is voluteering with the peace corps in a village near Matagalpa. We had planned to go hiking, but cancelled the plan due to rain. It poured cats and dogs most of the rest of the day! Gave me an excuse to watch a couple of pre-season friendly football matches, read. Dinner with a bunch of Germans, including a lass whose dad is from a town near the town where I grew up.
Day 332 Mon 1/8
Had planned to go for a 2 hour hike in a natural reserve nearby, but ended up taking a wrong turn and 5-6 hours later, found ourselves half an hour bus ride away from Matagalpa! Back at the hostel and off to a pizza dinner to recuperate. The food was exceptionall good and I ate as if I hadnt had any food for months.
Day 333 Tue 2/8
2 hour bus ride from Matagalpa to Tipatapa; hour bus ride from Tipitapa to Masaya and then another hour bus ride to Granada. All 3 buses, like most buses in Central America, were old (American) school buses.
The young lad who collects money from passengers wanted an extra 10 cordobas from me for my “mochila”, but that made my neighbours angry and they shouted him down, after telling me not to pay. Dishonesty from the young man leading to a few locals helping out a foreigner.
Wandered around Granada for a bit and bought some nice dark chocolate at an organic coffee/ chocolate store. There are no dark chocolate bars in supermarkets in Nicaragua!
Off to bed early, since it is a long haul to my last stop in Nicaragua, Isla Ometepe.
Tags: Travel
Damu