the packing and re-packing is over. the backpack, a much smaller version of my last one, is holding all the essentials for at least the next two months. that is the best i can do as at this moment i am only really sure of my plans for the next two months. i have spent the last few months visiting friends and family in the states, hopping over to Europe, exploring Puerto Rico, and all the while studying for a rather important exam. i am happy and relieved to have passed said exam last week and as i was contemplating a fitting demise for my test prep materials i realized these same materials have had quite a run. people lose luggage and sunglasses and papers all the time, but somehow, these materials have been with me through it all. if i hadn't passed the exam i might have found it sort of a cruel joke.

in a few hours i will be on a plane bound for Nicaragua. funny how one of the cities i actively worked to avoid throughout my last jaunt through central america is now going to be where i am landing. ah yes, Managua. the plan is to spend only a few hours there before heading to the beach. yes i did say beach. while i spent much time exploring the cities of Nicaragua on my last visit, i will be spending considerable time on the beach on this visit. where else would one learn how to surf?