First Week - Managua, Nicaragua

There hasn't been a whole lot to write about this first week as have been in the office learning about trade and how to speak Spanish. Which I enjoy, but might be a bit boring to write about!

Have booked to go to Granada this weekend, my first trip (ever?) by myself, so am quite excited and nervous.  It's only an hour and a half away by chicken bus, with a cost of around $1USD. With a week of Spanish lessons under my sleeve I am feeling ready enough that I won't mistakenly end up in Honduras (but wouldn't mind that) or order something crazy for dinner, fingers crossed. The only thing I might do wrong is order a bottle of wine instead of a glass, but have heard of worse mistakes.

I'm living in a small house that is owned by a lady who used to be a coffee producer, and she lives next door. She doesn't speak a word of English so we get by with Hola and a wave, but am looking forward to the time where I can have a small, slow conversation with her as I'm sure she has some great stories. I have my own little kitchen which is a life saver, so have been cooking most nights. Groceries are cheap - bought a weeks worth for NZ$30. 

Downside of Managua is that it's not safe to be out after dark alone, and the sun sets at 5.30 pm, so am really missing my evening walks and NZ summer nights. Also it's busy in the office at the moment so work hours are roughly 7 am until 8 pm, which I am struggling to adjust to! I'm having to get used to the level of poverty, Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Latin America after Haiti, and the children busking. We were driving home last night in the dark, and at a busy intersection very small children were running up to cars and begging. I got a big fright, as it was hard to spot them dashing between cars, wondering how they weren't being accidently run over. 

I visited Los Cardones beach last Sunday with a new work colleague. It's an hour and a half from Managua, and was so nice to get out of the city and see some of the beautiful countryside. It's on the Pacific Ocean side of the country and would say it was similar to Piha with black-ish sand and rough waves. 

Next week I am going to Matagalpa and Jinotega to see some coffee and cacao plantations, and hopefully one of the mills. Both these cities are around 700m above sea level and will be cooler than Managua, yay. Can't wait to get into the action and for the chance to take some cool photos! Downside will be no one speaks any much English, so I will be trying hard to understand what is going on. Should be entertaining. 

Los Cardones Beach

Baby Iguana

Mi Casa