Day 17: on the way to san juan del sur
Imagine a place where just because being a gringo you are treated like a celebrity. In managua, there is in fact such a place. But instead of paparazzi, the swarming people are bus recruiters, ensuring you that you need to get on their bus. Our micro was accosted as soon as we got to the bus station, and about 7 men wearing San juan bus shirts tried to get our attention, mostly through trying to get in the car or help us carry our bags. We crossed the four lane street to arrive at what can only be described as the stock market floor of the bus station. Literally dozens of men, women, and children were shouting at the top of their lungs to get us on their bus. Some were pushing us, others corralling. We almost got on a charter type of bus before we realized that they didn’t have seats for all eleven of us. We crossed through the market that comprises the middle of the building, seeing a relatively open school bus. We reluctantly got on, only after ensuring it was in fact a direct express bus to SJDS.
Once on the bus, we numbered off and the vendors approached us with their juices, candy, and chips. The entire time we were recovering and laughing about what just happened… Way too crazy for a Friday morning. We left the station, and the typical vitamin salesman-in this case, saleswoman- got up in front of the bus, preaching of miracle pills and world peace and the end of poverty.
The bus ride to rivas was nothing exciting outside of the occasional trader getting in the bus and promoting his life saving product. But the ride reemphasized the fact that Nicaragua is a beautiful country, despite the poverty that had saturated a lot of the tiendas along the highway. Tropical trees, curious fruits, bright blue skies and seas of green and yellow forests guided our bus from Managua to rivas.
In Rivas, we only stopped for about twenty minutes- we didn’t want to get off the bus in case it left immediately. The market was busy-mostly full of vendors selling a food or, in one case, kitchenwares. Several of them boarded the bus, walking up and down the aisle. In a broken record tone of voice, they offered the name of their product, sometimes amended by the word ‘delicious’ or ‘fresh.’
Leaving Rivas was full of traffic jams and small crowded roads, but sure enough by 12:15, less than three hours and 60 miles away from our house, we left en route for SJDS. Holler.
We got off the bus, found our hostel- hotel encanto del sur- and quickly changed and went to the beach. SJDS beach is an incredible beach that is in a horseshoe shaped bay. The marina is on the left, and fishing boats are sprinkled on the near horizon. The water is warm but incredibly refreshing, and when you finally turn around to look at the shore, you can hardly take it all in- the tropical shoreline, the mountains that surround the bay, and the dozen or so awesome shoreline restaurants and stores, all looking out to the coast.
And is if the ocean wasn’t enough, our hostel is all star world class fantastic!! We’re paying $10 US a night for air conditioning, private bathrooms, laundry service, tv, and the nicest hosts anyone could ask for. If and when I come back to San juan, I’m definitely staying here again.
Our group refueled and hit the beach for dinner. We went to a place that offered our group a 15% discount, which basically meant not leaving a tip. Most of us ordered the special of the night, which was grilled mahi mahi, shrimp, mussels, lobster, rice, french fries, and a drink- all for $10 US. too good to pass up. we chilled after dinner, watching an incredible sunset from the restaurant on the beach. After, we went for desserts at a bar/restaurant that had a live band. The lead singer, possibly gringo, sang some Johnny Cash songs- which despite my distaste for country, sounded good and reminded me of home.
Some kids hit the bar after that, I went back to the hostel due to extreme exhaustion/needing some alone time. Although it’s great being around 11 people always, I more than anyone need to have a few minutes of down time every few days.
Paz,
