Independence Day celebration in MGA

I took a tricked-out chicken bus to Managua.  I was supposed to get an express bus, but I accidentally was compelled to get on the “semi-express” chicken bus.  We stopped every 3-7km, but the ridiculous speed and bling made up for those stops.  The bus was crammed, hot, sticky, but once we got going it was fun.  I got off at the station across the street from the University of Central America, and called Claudia. 

After she picked me up, we went over to her friend’s house.  Eliza is from the states, but Nicaragua holds a special place in her heart, and she has been here for years.  She is about to move back to the US for graduate school, but I have a feeling she will be back here.  She and her boyfriend have a great house in Managua with a huge backyard and a swimming pool.  They had been grilling out all day with some other Gringos and Nicas in true American style.  Eating hotdogs and drinking Bud heavies and Toñas.   Her other Gringo friends where those who decided to live here after falling in love with the country, and some crazy fun people from NY.  These kids from NY have been driving a small sedan from Texas, and they are heading to Argentina.  Their trip has been amazing, and without too many obstacles. 

They did have one tiny little set back trying to cross the Honduran- Nicaraguan border.  For future reference for anyone brave enough to make this trek, it costs $15/person to cross the border.  They did not have this money, and they realized this at the Nicaraguan customs.  Note: the Honduran customs agent had already stamped their passports and would not let them back in the country.  Cathleen, being the only one in the group of 3 who speaks Spanish, pleaded with the Nicaraguan agent to let her leave her friends and every thing she had with her, and drive the 10km to the nearest ATM.  Nope.  They drove back across the border to Honduras and pleaded with customs.  The closest ATM to the border is 1.5 hours away.  Customs agreed, but they needed collateral.   Something about the car, I think, made it so her male comrade had to go with her.  She had to go as well since she was the only one who speaks Spanish.  So their collateral that was agreed upon was their cute female friend who knows “hola” and “gracias”.  Cathleen asked if she could wait inside the customs office since it was night and she was alone.  Nope, the customs agent said, we are doing this as a favor to you, so don’t think about asking us for anything else.  Pobrecita…. She had to read her book in the dark, at the border, for almost 4 hours alone.  But they made it, and have spent the last 2 weeks in Nicaragua getting much needed R&R.

Anyway, Eliza ended up having at least 30, 40 people over, and the party was a blast. Our lack of fireworks was made up by an intense storm that passed over while we were grilling.  Balloon toss, piñatas, and lots of ketchup. 

It was loads of fun and it was good to speak some English.  The only English I get is from chatting with Dad, Nick and Alex. It was nice to relax and listen to Nicas and Gringos switch, without thought, in and out of Spanish and English.