Prologue
...The only thing that makes life worth living is the possibility of experiencing now and then a perfect moment. And, perhaps, even more than that, it's having the ability to recall such moments in their totality, to contemplate them like jewels.....
Paul Bowles
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Granada....Palm Sunday
We've arrived in Granada the day before Palm Sunday......after a late morning decision to leave the quiet, tranquillo paradise of Ometepe Island on Lake Nicaragua.
It's the week before Easter....and.....a typical crazy time here and elsewhere throughout the countries of this region.
While a religious holiday, it's also a good reason for families to pack up and visit the beaches, family or tour their country.
Typically, a madhouse on the beaches, on the buses, in the major towns. But... it's also good fun to experience, meet locals, share a beer and soak up chaotic energy that makes traveling through Nicaragua so much fun....and sweaty, hot and dirty!!! So...we are back into the craziness....
Heading north on the west side of the lakes....
...our story continues.........The Day Before....Palm Sunday...at....the...Rivas Bus Station
We hop on the ferry from Ometepe with minutes to spare. It's a wild, choppy ride. The ferry wallows, rolls and chugs along with a load of passengers and 1 truck.
This driver was comfy in his hammock in the back of his truck during the crossing...
Off the ferry we negotiate a cab ride to Rivas Bus Station and crash back into a whirlwind of buses honking, vendors selling, station workers yelling.....noise.....colour....... movement...we love it!
Hawking food...women 'n men push through the crowds and lines....and as it's the eve of Easter week (Semana Santa)...it's a torrent of music, costume and chaos. After waiting for half an hour on board in the station, we head out with 130+ people sitting and standing in a former school bus... Fortunately we had a seat for the 2 1/2 hour journey to Granada. While, these 'chicken buses' are not as chromed up as their cousins in Guatemala...they still power down the road and pack riders in...
(We've digressed)..... still more bus stories.....
....And then the clown came on....
After several days on Laguna de Apoyo...we headed to the highway and caught a UCA bus to Managua. Pronounced "ooka", these minibuses are fast and less crowded than the 'chicken buses'. And surprise, we get a seat. The bus hums along, music blasts from 2 sets of speakers...one blares out a medley of Beatles tunes..."It's Been a Hard Day's Night"....while the other set near the rear plays the Bee Gees.. "Staying Alive"...both songs seem appropo for the moment. Eventually, through the noise, the heat, the constant motion, the crowds....the music blends together...the rythm and beat....a hypnotic pulse..drumming under your skin
...it's on the outskirts of Managua, where.....vendors again....jump on selling everything from food to drink...and...then....the clown came on! WTF?
Green tinged makeup....he looked like a scary St Patrick's Day version of the Golden Arches.. Ronald McDonald.
No idea, what he said....but he pulled a few scarves out of a sleeve...told a few jokes (we think) and then got off at another stop after he bagged some tips from the trapped passengers!
We switch buses at Managua and jump on the Express for Leon. Apart from traffic slowing the driver down, we fly along, pulling out to pass anything getting in its way. The constant tooting of bus horns as they pass one another, reminds us of some animated kids show where buses and trucks speak to each other by tooting horns..
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(Sorry...but it seems we've gone off the deep with bus stories at this point in the blog....but..... we've arrived...and back on track (we think?)...with our stories...and....in Granada...the day before Palm Sunday)
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Granada...........Beginning of Semana Santa
We arrive Saturday afternoon, the day before Palm Sunday, and look for a room. Seems everything is booked, and without a reservation, we are searching......and searching.....and searching... Finally, after about an hour of wandering, we grab a cheap ($25)/night, clean and basic room. It's a busy weekend in Granada.
Never know what kind of fun you get into when you buy a happy group a round of Toña beers.
A great group to spend Saturday night with. A Miami/Columbian (fellow with the hat) and 3 Nicaraguans...so much fun!
Palm Sunday in Granada
Scenes around town...
Quiet streets during the day remind us of the architecture of some cities in Cuba.
Hat vendors are seen just as frequently as the sunglass vendors.
Views from the church bell tower...
A hammock factory
Hanging, are the many patterns you can choose for your custom made hammock
These 4 men were just flying with their hands to make these hammocks
Canadian/Americans making their home in Granada. They invited us to go on a pub crawl with them one evening. At one pub, we were the only tourists since it was truly in the heart of a local neighbourhood. All locals are body searched at the door and have to pay cash after each drink. Tourists are not searched and can run a tab....
Local city bar/singer
We took a city tour in a carriage like we've done in Mexico and Cuba...
The President's personal train car... no longer in operation
William Walker's former home..."an evil American invader...who wanted Nicaragua to become a US state" in the 1800's. (an interesting read for sure...)
Adios for now.....
Yvonne y Shayne
Upcoming....
Leaving Granada for
Laguna de Apoyo...the Crater Lake
and more Semana Santa festivities on the streets of Leon
Additional Random Photos
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