So it's finally time that I updated my blog again. I've had access to internet here, but traveling with a friend has been quite different than traveling alone. Alas, Kyle ran out of his budget money and had to go home last week from Guatemala, while I went on from there to Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

One of the interesting things about Nicaragua is that the people are SO NICE! On par with the Aussies and the Greeks as far as the nicest people I've ever met. In Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica (and even in Belize) I felt that people were always trying to sell me things. In Nicaragua, I had several nice conversations with many different people while sitting in the square in Granada. A few young girls, a guy about my age, and a really old guy, like 80 years old, named Fernando. It was great. They all have an opinion about the war and the state of the nation, and they are all upset at how life is going these days. One thing that we don't seem to realize in the US is that the Sandinistas, while not preferred by the US government, were actually forward-thinking, progressive, good people. They worked for the people and consider women to be equal members of society, one reason why Nicaragua is ahead of the curve in women's rights in Central America.

Another thing Nicas all have in common is a dislike for the Ticos (Costa Ricans). They say that they're photocopies, they're out to rob you, and they all sold out to the Gringos. They maintain that they, the Nicas, are the true authentic people. Whatever it's worth, it's interesting, and they are really fantastic to talk to.

Also, I experienced one of the single most unique experiences in my life near Antigua, Guatemala, when I hiked a live, active volcano. You could still hear it spitting and hissing every few seconds, and when we climbed over the volcanic rock, there was, about ten feet from where I was standing, a literal river of flowing lava. It was nothing short of incredible. We did the touristy thing and roasted marshmallows on the lava, and they were delicious. Unfortunately, it was rainy that day and I had my camera deep in my bag, while Kyle took all the volcano pictures. Then, the next day, our hostel got robbed and Kyle lost his camera, among some other things. It's a huge bummer, but he handled it well. Another girl I met there said she'd send me some pictures of the volcano when she went, so I can have those soon.

Here are some others:

Roberto Clemente Stadium in Masaya, Nicaragua. It's one of 8 professional ballparks. We saw the gate open and walked in, and asked the grounds crew guys if we could walk around. They said, "Sure! Want a tour?" And so they took us around the field and into the locker rooms. If only it worked like that in the US.
Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua. I took a kayak out into the middle of the lake one morning, which is just surrounded by mountains falling into it. So peaceful.
A typical colorful street with the cathedral in the Background in Granada, Nicaragua.
A waterway to Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. It's only accessible by plane or boat.
Chano, my guide in Tortuguero, showing us how to hunt shrimp out of an invasive but water-purifying plant.
A few pyramids in the jungle of Tikal, Guatemala, former Mayan capital.
Atop one of the pyramids.
Semuc Champey, Guatemala. Beautiful swimming pools among a tree-lined valley.
A tuk-tuk. Local transport in several places. This one in Antigua, Guatemala.
Another picture of Clemente Stadium.

Another canal in Tortuguero.

And that's all for now. Hope all is well wherever you are. Be home on the 24th.