Paradise, San Juan Nicaragua

Hello AllWell it is sad but we go to San Jose tomorrow and fly to SLC on Thursday. The great thing is that (in my opinion) today was my favorite day of the trip. We are in paradise. We are on the beach in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. It is not as touristy, safe and clean city. It is on a beautiful bay and today we took a boat ride to go surfing on a beach called maderas. Paul and I both rented surfboards for ten bucks and it was a blast. I always thought that it wouldn't be as fun as it is, but surfing is great. Paul didn't take lessons in Costa Rica, but caught on to it really fast today. We were out in the water for 6 hours and yes we got burned again. However, we wore our shirts and tons of sun block again. It was beautiful and there were only about 20 people on the beach. It was so tranquilo that we left our stuff on the beach and everything was alright. Six of the people we became friends with were from Holland. The food here is cheap and good. Today we sat on the balcony in rocking chairs and ate our steak, potatoes, rice, beans and fried banana that was only $1.50. This is the life. I think that I couldn't have ordered up a nicer day. Yep and we woke up and we were so glad.The trip here however was interesting. We had to stay in a hotel in Esteli Nicaragua. It was $1.50 per person and not worth that. The room was alright, but muggy, and hard beds. For ventillation, the walls only come to 6 inches to the roof which isn't that great for sound proof. We heard babies crying, a woman talking on her cell phone, and a couple making woopie. We didn't get to sleep until 2 am. Yes, Paul is being exposed to too much too fast. Not by choice. Our hotel here in San Juan is much better because we are paying $4 a person. We also had to go back to Managua, our least favorite city to get to San Juan where at the bus station the people fight for which bus to get you on. It was crazy as they were tug o warring with our bags and then expect a tip. Oh well, so we gave them 20 cents. Over all, I have loved Nicaragua. It is a beautiful country.We also heard that a volcano next to the one that we climbed on the Island of Ometepe erupted. Not a huge eruption but enough to send poison gasses in the air. We were actually debating on climbing that one or Maderas the one that we did climb. It gives you a wake up to reality of the dangers of volcanos.By the way, the most ironic thing happened just barely. We went looking for bracelets like the ones that we sent home and we couldn't find any anywhere. We were watching the sunset over the bay and the marina and we heard a familiar voice. The guy that we bought them from in Grenada arrived just then. He met a friend and was walking down the street. We walked behind him and he remembered our names. We asked him for more bracelets and he opened his shop for us and gave them to us for the same expensive price of $2 a peice. His name is Chato and is a salvadoran hippie that wonders from town to town. He is going surfing for a couple of days here and then will wander to the next country. He offered to smoke pot with him, Paul said no. He is a great guy and we exchanged emails.This has been the adventure of a life time and we have had a blast. It definitely is up there with study abroad and my two year vacation in Spain. I think that it has opened my eyes to many aspects of life that I wasn't aware of. It also has helped me decide that I will probably grow up one of these days. It is nice to have a purpose in life and not just ramble. I also will probably get married one of these days. Paul is great, but I really would like to be with a woman. I also have never felt afraid like I have here. Poverty sometimes is suffocating here. Traveling around on old US school buses (which are the best they have to offer) and spending money on frivolous things while people are wondering where there next meal is coming from makes you feel incredibly guilty and uncomfortable. It makes you feel like people would do anything to get your money. Before this trip, I never understand how the rich people could live and not help out the poor. Now I understand that the problems politically and economically are so overwhelming that it is hard to understand where to start. The ex president of nicaragua, who stole millions of dollars from the country is able to travel around even though he was found guilty. A good salary is $60 a month and it is still not enough to support a family. Sometimes I think that because when I go and meet people on VIDA trips and they are so happy, I get a rose glass image of poverty. The truth is that poverty is terrible period.However,I have to say that I love the culture and the landscapes of these countries. We have made many friends who have gone out of their way to help us. The people continue to give and live with one another. The members of the church are the cream of the crop too. I hope to be able to come back here and serve a mission with my wife.Well, I know that this has probably been too much into the mind of Scott. We will see you on Thursday at the airport.