JTM & VIP

Broken ATM

Mohawk Ballin'

Cascada Fallin'

Lunch Extraordinaire 

Swimmin' hole

Power Out

Jose Enrique

Pickup Truck

Baller Man

Drunken Van

Pizza Pan

Jew Spew

Purple Net

Tomorrow yet

Good night. 

(Wed night/early Thu am)

Real World Nicaragua

I originally thought calling this trip, "Real World," would date us and then found out the show is still in production. It turns out a knock on the door circa 3 AM lured Ed and I up to Juan's suite where the six newcomers were enjoying their beverages. I also learned that Juan's two friends from NY didn't know each other and were only aquaintances with him. We are truly a band of strangers besides the people traveling with Juan and with me. Our ages range from 27 to undisclosed and at 41, I'm not the oldest! An early morning drinking game of mushroom was followed with a Timmy chat as he got ready for work back home, then I went to bed again. 

Juan's dad picked us up in a tourist van after an amazing buffet breakfast at Barceló Managua. We're now on our way to Cascada Blanca, the waterfall and eco-lodge he owns in Matagalpa. 

Now There Are Nine?

Summary of day one; Flor de Caña Rum is better than I expected but does not eliminate insomnia!

The three of us arrived 30 minutes early at Augusto C Sandino (MGA) in Managua. I expected a small airport but was surprised that this very large city of nearly two million people had a single runway with a u-turn at the end of it. The experience was not quite like that of our Mexican emergency landing several years back but wasn't the most pleasant. I was even more surprised at the broken down planes littering the side of the runway. 

The three of us had a free day to explore Managua but after a delicious lunch and several margaritas decided to relax for the day. We chose a few lounge chairs by the pool and relaxed the day away. At around 5:30, while Erin was enjoying a massage at the spa, Eddie and I decided to get showered for happy hour. Our timing was impeccable as the sky turned black and the torrential rains of the Summer rainy season rolled in.

We contemplated naps as the rest of our group was to arrive at around 1 AM but Erin insisted we power through. This didn't happen and we threw in the towel around 9 when the band took a break. With tummies full of delicious food, wine, beer, and rum, we went to bed. I just awoke at around 2 AM to find the others had arrived and went out to find some beverages. Since I missed them, and can't go back to sleep, I decided to summarize the day. I think there are now nine of us and I'm looking forward to meeting up for breakfast to start the group adventures.  

A New Travel Chapter

I haven't posted for quite some time. After so many work posts, I simply took a break. There are no journal entries from our epic Spring Vacation to Florida, several weekend getaways, #NOTS24, Camp Chimney over the 4th of July, or this year's scooter rally trips to WKRP, Band Camp 15, or Motor City Shakedown 10. The last few trips were made in our new rally transport vehicle, Vanastasia! She's a nice-as-new 1994 Teal Green Aerostar; what a riot!

Today marks a new form of travel with a trip to Nicaragua. It isn't that adventure travel or Central America is new, but it's the first real vacation I've taken outside of the states without my boyfriend of 16+ years. Work is great but I needed to stamp the passport and turn off the work email. Timmy is back in school, working on his BSN, and travel time is limited. With him working full time, and taking classes, Spring Break was the only long vacation we took this year. I had to get away!

A quick Faceyplace shout out a few months back yielded five great friends with a similar hankering to travel before Fall. My friend, and old colleague, Juan, frequently organizes trips to Nicaragua. With my friends, and a few of his, we'll ultimately make a band of nine for this five night adventure! It should be interesting as I am about the only common thread in this group of virtual strangers. My good friend, Erin, and I departed CMH at 6:00 AM for Miami where we'll meet up with Eddie from DC! The three of us will then have a free day until the others arrive tonight. 

I'm looking forward to a new adventure and will attempt to log the trip. This time it won't just be for myself, but also for Timmy to vicariously experience Nicaragua too!