El Vago en Suramerica

I can hardly believe it, but tomorrow will likely be the midpoint of my trip.

In some ways, it seems like I`ve been traveling forever, and in other ways, like my trip has just begun. Traveling has become a lifestyle, a mode of living to which Ive become quite adjusted. It isn`t easy; the hardest thing is saying goodbye to so many people, so often. I feel like I`m getting more impersonal as I go along, but I sincerely hope that that is not the case.

The first month of my trip took a long time. I had a blast, but it seemed like it was still some kind of crazy vacation. Now, it feels nothing like a vacation, and time is flying by. I have no time for anything: I still haven`t climbed a single volcano, rafted down a single river, learned to surf, or hitchhiked. It seems like a tourist who comes to the region for just 2 weeks can accomplish many more things than I can accomplish in an unlimited timeframe.

I don`t want to go home, but it will be nice to see everybody again. While I travel, I meet loads of interesting, fun people, but Ive never met a group of people quite like my group of friends in A-Town. It isnt that Arlington is such a wonderful place, but it is where I grew up and defined who I am today, and therefore I think it will always hold a part of me.

At the same time, I like Latin America far better. The noise, the craziness, the music, and the rhythm of life here suit me quite well. I know that when I leave here, I won`t stop dreaming of coming back. When I do return, it will feel like coming home as much as returning to Arlington.

I`ve learned some important lessons in my first 4 months traveling, so I think I should set some rules for myself for the future:

I can`t let inhibitions get the better of me, and I can`t be content with being timid.
I will refuse to buy drinks for girls.
I will drink slowly.
I won`t spend too much time around too many gay people.
I won`t lend money to ANYBODY, no matter what the situation. I`ve lost far too much money this way.
Most importantly, I`ll do spontaneous things, because in the long run, these make the best stories.

So I`m in Panama City now, and it is a cool place. One half of the city is ultra modern, full of shiny high-rises, banks, and 24-hour casinos. The other half is composed of tall, dirty apartment buildings and rough wooden structures housing the city`s many poor people. Panama City has much more of a “ghetto” atmosphere than other cities in central america, but at the same time it is extremely diverse and colorful. The nightlife is excellent, as well.

On Thursday I fly to Colombia. I`m very excited to get to a new continent. My only concern is that I wont be able to understand the language, but i think ill learn soon enough.

Keep it rockin, my friends.
Dan

I arrived yesterday in San Jose, Costa Rica, and its very possible that I will leave tomorrow for Panama City. It all depends on whether there is space available on the bus leaving tomorrow evening. I like it here, actually… it is a real shame that ive been able to see so little of Costa Rica. Some day I’ll have to come back. San Jose is pretty, a very nice, modern city. There are lots of tranquil parks along a busy shopping street in the center. In fact, of all of the cities I’ve seen since entering Mexico, San Jose looks and feels the most American. The buildings look just like parts of Boston, the streets are clean, and it is a safe place to walk around. People seem fairly self-concerned and indifferent to strangers, just as in the states. The one very latino thing I saw today when walking around the center was a line of guys at the edge of one park, all looking at the women who passed by and commenting on their appearance. This is something that never exists in Boston.

Last Thursday I went to Granada, Nicaragua, for the first time in a year and a half. I had no idea what to expect upon arrival. The first thing that struck me were the crowds of tourists in all parts of the city. In my first visit there were quite a few tourists, but nothing compared to nowadays. I found it funny how some things remained the same, yet there were always subtle changes. The central park looked the same, but my little friend selling necklaces, everyones’s favorite “amigo”, wasn’t there. Nor was a girl who worked at a drink stand, who I met during my spanish classes. Mario, the bartender at one internet cafe, was now working down the street at a restaurant. The city was full of new hotels, mainly aimed at backpackers. In front of my old house there was a hostel, and the entire street had been given a fresh coat of paint.

To be honest, I am rather concerned by the current state of Granada. It is still beautiful and a wonderful city, but I fear it is being turned into another Antigua, another tourist museum. Granada, unlike Antigua, is a real city with a significant population and industries other than tourism.

I visited the family with whom I stayed during my earlier visit, the Ortegas. The mother was home, as were the two sisters; they were extremely suprised to see me. We talked awhile, and they offered to let me sleep in their house. Later, they told me to go see the brother of the family play in a salsa band in a local cafe.

I also met two friends that my friend from home, Greg Storch, met during his visit to Nicaragua. We spent quite a bit of time together. On Sunday, we took an excursion to the city of Diriamba to see the local hipica, or horse parade. These horse parades are a big deal in Nicaragua, and people come from all over the country to take part in the festivities. Bands rove through the streets, rum is sold dirt-cheap, and everyone is drinking and dancing on the sidewalks as the horses make loops around the city. It was loads of fun, and reminiscent of the hipica that I saw in Granada when I was first in the country.

Yesterday I made the journey here from Granada taking public buses. I arrived in the evening, and went first to one hostel recommended by my taxi driver. It was a nice place, but because it was very new, it was also nearly empty. Today I decided to change hostels, and now Im staying in a crowded but lively hostel, “tranquilo backpackers.”

I was going to go out tonight, but I decided to take it easy instead. In Panama City, I will party like crazy.

Ive started a new tradition of seeing the sunrise on Sunday morning after a long party. I’ve done it the last two weeks, at least. I think its a trend Id like to continue.

Y Asi Es.
Love,
Dan

Rockin out in Managua, Nicaragua. Yeah its been a while since Ive written, and Im sorry if anyone has been overly concerned. Im safe, and having lots of fun. Its funny... Im not gay (honestly), but I could probably write the ... [Continue reading this entry]

Im finally in a new country: El Salvador, the most violent country in Central America, and the most densely populated country in North or South America. Here they don`t eat tortillas, so there are no tacos, quesadillas, or any of ... [Continue reading this entry]