I don't see any wings on this bus...

...formerly titled, "Who are all these idiots, and why are they all sitting near me on planes today?" (Free Nicaraguan souvenir if you catch that book reference. My bet is, Jenny is the only one who does).

4 June, 2009
Estoy aqui! I'm here! After traveling from 5:00am until 3:45pm to come to a country that's about a 2-hour straight shot from where I live, I am exhausted, to say the least. My flights all went well, Copa is a wonderful airline (french toast w/ sausage for breakfast, hamburger, chips and chocolate bar for lunch - what?), and my friends Toney and Gerry came to pick me up at the airport - all is well. However, there have already been a few funny occurrences:

1. I'm in a hispanic country (Panama) maybe 37 seconds before I get what I like to call the Spanish version of the cat call, which sounds kind of like a cat's hiss mixed with a "hey, you". Funny.

2. When I was called to board the flight from Panama to Managua, I was surprised to find a small set of stairs leading outside, to the ground. They left me right in front of a 15-passenger van, so I got in it. I was feeling really confused, thinking, "Wow, it's going to take forever to DRIVE to Nicaragua". But, I kept my mouth shut. Another American dude got on the bus, and as he looked around, just as confused, he said, "We're getting on a plane next, right?" to which I responded, "That's what I'm hoping!" He then said, "Yea, 'cause I don't see any wings on this bus!" The sad part is, he thought he made a real funny, but I wasn't helping to discourage him by smiling and laughing with (at) him.

3. On the way back from the airport, we stopped at this little stand on the side of the road to get quesillos, which consist of a cream made from cheese, mixed with onions, rolled inside of a few tortillas. They're actually pretty good, even for a non-onion lover like myself. While we were there, one of the employees was walking around with a bag full of juice, with a small hole cut in it, letting the juice spill all over the ground. When I looked pointedly at Gerry for an explanation, he said "air freshener". Yes, they pour juice on the ground to make it smell nicer in the 'restaurant'. I'm gonna try that one in my house when I get back!

4. Things you forget about a place like Nicaragua until you're back -
a. All taxi drivers ask you for your number - because you're female, and because you're a gringa.
b. When people are sweeping up trash and you try to walk by, they will not stop sweeping trash towards you just because you're trying to walk.
c. There are hundreds upon hundreds of men at the airport who dress up in employee-like clothes and "help" you with your bags. You try your absolute hardest to NOT let them touch your bag, and just carry it yourself, but alas; they will carry the bag, and you will have to tip them.
d. When you see a friend/meet a stranger in Nicaragua, they always say "Dios te bendiga" (God bless you) before asking your name or how you're doing. Interesting.

That's all I've got so far. Not bad for about an hour and a half, huh? So, my stuff is at my hotel, I've already visited with a friend, and I'm just going to get some dinner and wait for my other friend to get home. Tomorrow I'm headed to the villa to see my godson (!!!), as well as my other little kiddos there, and then Saturday I'm going to Jiquilillo, a small beach town about fifteen minutes up the road, where Toney stays and has lots of stuff going on. It is a little strange being here completely by myself, but it's kinda nice. I'll let you know how the days go...