Smooth Criminal

I'm pleased to report that Micah and I have survived a tragedy. It was a sunny Saturday afternoon, we were lounging with the family by the pool, partaking in the aforementioned happy hour. Once the sun set, we began to pack our belongings to walk back home. It was then that disaster struck; my Chaco flip flops were nowhere to be found. I panicked, and Micah began to learn how traveling with a female companion is different than by oneself. After searching the grounds, nonchalantly scanning everyone else's feet, we walked home.. Me, barefoot. And I may have cried. It was the thought of the Chacos, the best and most comfortable flip flops ever, not experiencing all the adventures I would experience over the next 11 months.  I asked my family if they had seen the flip flops or the thief, and after their disappointing answers, I went to bed, dreaming of stopping all 60 of the yoga girls currently staying on property to examine their footwear the following morning. The next day, we awoke to a timid knock at our bedroom door. My mom walked in, sheepishly holding my flip flops, extending her arms out like an offering. She had slid them on the night prior, mistaking them for hers (which were still at the pool the next day). Disaster averted; we have made it through, everything will be smooth sailing from here on!

Sunday afternoon was spent at the surfing beach, a mile or so from home. I have decided that we may be homeless, but may not be unemployed.... I'd like to think of us as amateur surfers for the next 11 months. With my multi-talented brother in law as our instructor, we were each able to surpass our previous surfing accomplishments, standing for at least part of a second before flailing our arms and going under. We have a lot of work to do, but we're up to the challenge.

Sunset at Asuchillo Beach

Micah catching a wave

Julia, riding in for the sunset

Yesterday we went to Managua, the capital of Nicaragua with a population about the size of Seattle. Managua is the reason most people believe that Nicaragua is a bit dodgy; there are definitely areas to avoid but the rest of it is a bustling city with heavy traffic and crazy drivers, markets and grocery stores similar to Sams Club.  Our trip was primarily for errands, but we spent a few hours at El Huembes Mercado, the large outdoor market that sells souvenirs (mostly pottery, cigars, rum, paintings), clothing and produce.  Young kids are constantly trying to sell chiclets candies, or leafs shaped in to hearts while adults walk around pressuring the gringos to buy sunglasses and Viagra. My Spanish has improved to now include "no gracias" and "no necessito."  

Lunch at the market.

In the afternoon, we headed up to Volcano Masaya, one of many active volcanos along the Pacific Rim in Nicaragua. Its last large eruption was in the 1770s, but it did spew some rocks around at tourists in 2012. After hiking to the rim of the volcano, we headed down to the bat caves. With our hard hats on and flashlights in hand, we were able to hike a short distance into a bat cave, occasionally seeing a bat fly by. At dusk, we went to a smaller bat cave where, with lights off, you could hear and feel hundreds swirling around your head. 

Sun and sulfur at Volcano Masaya

The next few days should involve what we've become so good at: poolside, piña coladas, and trying to learn Spanish from a 2 year old! My brother leaves on Thursday, parents are here 2 more weeks and we plan to hold down the fort here another month before, we imagine, we head north.