6/23/10 - First day in the city -> Matagalpa

This morning Karen and I woke up at 8:30am. I slept for 11 hours – my kind of vacation  We ate some cornflakes and coffee then took the bus to Matagalpa (the capital city) at 10am. It’s a half hour trip. We went to the internet café called Simo’s for a frappacino whilst watching the USA vs. Nigeria and catching up on emails. I bought some postcards and a Nicaraguan dress….adorable. It’s also tradition that Karen and I smoke a cigar together so we bought 2 for our hiking trip on Friday.

This lady that Karen calls "Crazy Lady" because she LOVES tourists gave us some fruit snack since we were all on the bus together. This is how water and snacks come...in little baggies.


Matagalpa - the capial city


Frappacinos from the internet cafe...


Called "Simo's"


Karen has this kitten named Diego and dog named Princessa. They are both such troublemakers!! The cat pees in the dust pan, takes everything apart and attacks our feet all the time. Princessa jumps all over us and her paws are normally muddy but they’re cute. Mosquitos have attacked my ankles so I look like I have kankels – unattractive. We mailed my postcards at the post office and bought some food at the grocery store.

Juan Alfredo and I dancing




It’s so fun because we’re constantly reminiscing about all kinds of stories and always talking about the other countries we want to visit. Karen wants to keep putting off getting a job when she’s out of the peace corps so she can keep traveling and I can’t take time off from my job since I’m already situated but I’ll continue to visit friends all over. I’m also IN LOVE with Karen’s hammock. I lay in it every chance I get which is often  I want my own so I’m going to buy one in the city and put it in the house once I move out of my condo in August. Can’t wait!

We visited Karen’s friend Kiotho and her family. They were all sitting outside talking. That’s all everyone does is talk and know everyone’s business just like in Greece. They are such a sweet family! They were telling us that one of the kids turns 8 on Thursday and I told Karen that we should all make smores! The family asked if I had siblings, where I work and a boyfriend. Karen told them that I’m worse than her when it comes to not wanting to get married. I was going to argue that when I realized it’s true.

Karen and Hernaldo - oooo la la


Hernaldo teaching Princessa how to Salsa


Once we left Kioto’s house, Hernaldo, Karen’s crush, came over around 8pm and we all played cards. One game was similar to Rummy then I learned a new game and we also played UNO. He rode his motorcycle here and it was SO LOUD. I told Karen that her neighbors will be talking about some boy being over with the Gringa’s, ahaha! Itt’s awful in these homes because you can hear EVERYTHING. Absolutely no privacy but Karen will be moving in September probably just a few houses away.

Sidenote: As I’m writing this, I see a lizard or two, crawling on Karen’s walls in her bedroom – where’s my glass pan when I need it!