a walk along the beach- Puerto Sandino

Walking along the beach I marvel at the solitude I find. I am alone. Literally, one can walk the beach and encounter nary a soul. There are times a small wooden boat with an outboard motor can be seen departing or arriving in front of one of the small homes but those can be counted on one hand. The homes while small are colorful, their ornate facades facing the beach and dually protected by small trees, sparse vegetation, and up turned boats. none of these homes sport the muted colors of many a beach town in the states. As I walk, a line of clothing dries in the sun, dogs bark, the laughter of children floats beyond the trees, and a breeze dances on my skin in the hot Nicaraguan sun.

my new existence

I am starting to get used to waking up and walking out to a view of the Pacific. The dark sand is not yet hot to the touch and the ocean is a muted grey blue as it slowly rolls to shore. By mid-day, the sun causes a brilliant effect upon the sea, as though diamonds have been strewn atop to sparkle for all to see. Scattered among tables and hammocks, are new friends who share more than meals and a place to stay; we are sharing these moments of our lives in Nicaragua. I have been welcomed by an already formed crew of about 10 who have been inhabiting the premises for weeks, months and years. The “staff” includes owners, surf instructors, cooks, maintenance, all of whom have set responsibilities but share many overlapping duties day in and day out. I suppose I am one of 3 guests, joining a couple who currently live in the UK but have found themselves all over the world due to his job in the British military. This vacation is their first in Nicaragua, and has thus far fulfilled their desire for a new destination WITH surfing opportunities. Hearing about Nicaragua and this surf camp from the cousin of one of the owners, this couple decided to take a chance on a country of which they had heard very little prior to the recommendation.

The days are slow and revolve around surfing, ah it is a surf camp so this should surprise no one. As the only beginner on site, I find myself as the constant observer and sometimes student. With an incredibly patient surf instructor who has the manner of guru versus a teacher, I found myself standing on a surf board time and time again. Granted, I only had the time to realize I was standing and soon enough was back in the water next to the board rather than on it! Still, it was more than I expected and while standing seemed a feat in and of itself, my comfort with the process of learning something new, something as exciting and seemingly dangerous as surfing, has stayed with me for days.

This morning included a session of basics on the board. No standing or riding waves. Today was a lesson in balance on the board whether seated or laying, paddling, turning, and just sitting and watching the water. It was just what I needed as the excitement of my first lesson had dissipated and in its place was nervous energy. This morning’s lesson is best compared to a session with a coach or trainer who walks you through each step, watches you master each step, and then has you repeat in varied sequences until you show a level of mastery which is sufficient for the day. I was promised a similar regimen tomorrow morning before our departure to Managua for the weekend.

On the road beach again!

I love airports. People of all walks of life thrown together to share the experience of travel. Together we are subject to the debatably necessary TSA regulations, the drivel which is shown on the newly installed flat screen tvs at the gates, and the overpriced items dispersed throughout the terminals. Here’s a question, can the numerous people walking through the terminals in their socks or barefoot be attributed to the security measures or is it a reflection of our society?

My itinerary included a red eye to Miami, a 5 hour layover, immigration, customs, and a drastic change in climate. It was 52 degrees and minimal humidity when I left and 94 with 62% humidity when I arrived in Nicaragua!

Only an hour after arriving in Managua I was on the road to the surf camp (a few hours away) with he who hates blogs and one of the surf instructor. Having been in Nicaragua before it felt familiar and yet days later, I find myself momentarily wondering where I am. The surf camp is its own little world. on the beach, everything faces the water. It is small but not cramped, it is open but not exposed. it is a world away from where I just was.

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?

Firenze!

it was a quick jaunt to Florence; a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam perhaps. this time of year the weather is cool and rainy; it did not deviate from the norm on my behalf.

so what does one do with only a weekend to explore a historic, art-filled city like Florence? well, firstly you throw open the windows of your home away from home for a view of your surroundings.

next you amble through the narrow streets

and at each turn you marvel at the Florentine statues and architecture

later, you climb the 414 steps to the top of the Campanile (aka bell tower) for breathtaking views of the the Duomo and Florence.

beware the bells, they do toll!

and finally, at night you walk again, this time to see the Duomo.

looking ahead

still have photos to throw up here and a story or two to tell but that will have to wait a bit. for now i am back in the city by the bay to wrap up a few things. soon enough though i will need to catch this blog up as i have new travels ahead and surely will have stories to tell. the dreary grey and rain that is typical this time of year has been a bit of a struggle as i have been spoiled by lots of sunshine the past few months. i find myself saying, "how do people live in this climate?!" ah how soon we forget.

after numerous conversations it has been decided that i currently live nowhere and everywhere. friends have attempted to introduce me to new folks but get caught up in where i live. it's a problem we should all be so lucky to have i suppose. for now though, when it comes up, i have been reduced to saying the location of wherever i am in the moment. that hasn't gone over so well with those in customer service , imagine their frustration when i say, "well where am i now? oh Puerto Rico. great, yes that is where i live."

i have started a packing list for the next trip, it appears i am returning to Nicaragua. it is easier packing for a place i have been and hopefully i will find success in bringing what will be the equivalent of 2 carry-on bags. now if i could only find the list of things i "should have brought" that i wrote while traveling through Central America just a few months ago...

let's start from the beginning

from AZ i went to NYC to see the Diva in her own phenomenal cabaret show. NYC has much to offer and we enjoyed it all for the short time i was there. one of the best moments (besides the fantastic performance) ice skating...

and then before i knew it i was on a plane headed to Amsterdam!

here are a few photos from the first day. this one is a street corner close to Cafe Americain which served a fabulous cup of coffee :-)

as a way to get to know the city a canal tour was in order.

it was a perfect winter day, cool and sunny with a few clouds.

Houseboats!

Bikes!!

February

ok ok i am so ridiculously behind on the blog. i offer no excuses other than to say that February looked like this:

Arizona (country #1)

NYC (still in country #1)

Amsterdam, Netherlands (country #2)

Florence, Italy (country #3)

Amsterdam, Netherlands (back to country #2)

NYC (back to country #1)

Puerto Rico (technically country #1 as it is a commonwealth of the US)

NYC (back to country #1)

Arizona (stayed in country #1)

all that in 28 days.

i will put up photos of the Feb travels in the next week or so and in the meantime accumulate new photos from current adventures. i am happy to say i have no plans to leave the country for the next month or so. of course by next week i will probably kick myself for having that plan!

can you guess where i am now???

Parting words for AZ

it has been an interesting time here in AZ, certainly the best parts have been the times with friends. heck if they weren't here i wouldn't be either! i have a little over a week left before i head east and thought it was time to share some of my sentiments and a few photos.

Ode to Arizona

The desert makes a stunning base

For cacti, canyons and the coup de grace

Lush green courses for the pseudo ace

In the Escalade he must race

Three blocks to walk the furry face

At the bone-dry park he will deface

And then return to the living space

That lacks culture or a trace

of pigmentation beyond a shoe lace.

At the range he will embrace

the khaki clad pal whose club will chase

a shiny white sphere to its hiding place

beyond the trees and such a disgrace

that over drinks they will erase

this detail for the bejeweled blond grace

the plastic girl who is not out of place

with her botox, surgery and at this pace

she will become another test case.

The suburban folk fight to displace

The undesirables who need a space

To live, and as is often the case

They work for those who want to replace

Their homes with pavement and a showcase

To their elitist lives with their illusive tax base

of diversified money they will surely misplace

or loose at the local horse or car race.

Perhaps you wish to visit someplace

With MLB spring training within a walkable space

Where cars abound and almost outpace

The oranges, scorpions and guns without a case

Though there is at least one military base

And talk of visitors from outer space

So might I suggest that you brace

Yourself for anything to take place

But don’t bother with a can of mace

There is nothing here that it can efface.

2011: a time for new adventures

A new year offers hope for the future and a moment to consider the years past. I spent the first day of the new year on the road. I did it on purpose; it just seemed fitting. my destination was 1100 miles from my departure city and I had planned on making stops along the way but for some reason, once I was on the road I just wanted to keep going. so I drove over the mountains, through the snow, avoided the big cities and found myself in warmer weather with wind turbines all around me and cacti straight ahead.

i am now in the american southwest. cacti and palm trees are in abundance, clear blue skies and mid-70s weather are constants, and golf courses seem to be at every turn. i am not a golfer but i am trying to keep that on the down low as i am not convinced i won't be forcibly removed from the area for this obvious affront. aside from the golf factor i also show my 'visitor' status because i appear to be the only person who walks to get to places. car culture is alive and well here. so is meat, jerky to be exact.

plans for continued travel are bouncing around in my brain. as are thoughts of the infinite experiences i packed into 5 months of travel. i am certainly ready for more adventures in the year to come, hurray for 2011!