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Published: January 27th 2012
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January 26
th Erin
My days so far at Surfing Turtle can be summed up in just one word: relaxed. It definitely has taken some getting used to. Quite different from my life back in KC, and very different from Leon where we spent our first two days. The Spanish speaking only staff has requested someone is up in the mornings by 6:30 a.m. because that is when the night security guard leaves. Thanks to a neighboring local rooster, I don’t even have to use the travel alarm clock we packed! Being the morning person that I am, I have really enjoyed the tranquility and cool temperatures, as well as the hot cup of instant coffee during these mornings! Jeff has also taken to getting up with me since he has been working away on a shed with his new buddy Yairo starting early in the morning. He has been working so hard!! Yesterday he came up to our room at 5 covered in bug bites, and had blisters on his hands from the ax and machete. Never the less, he was smiling J Luckily, I also have a handy first aid kit that is full of about a
hundred band aids, and almost every over the counter travel sized medication available. This includes Neosporin spray and an anti-itch rolling stick.
I have made myself a little routine out of my days, starting with my cup of joe, and then a morning beach run. Surfing Turtle is so isolated that I usually never see anyone during my runs, except for this morning when I saw a local man riding his horse. I of course had my guard up, and was nervous as I approached. I started secretly thinking of every self-defense move I have ever been taught, but he smiled and waved and went right on past. Everyone is so exceptionally nice here!! Even with such poverty, the overall demeanor of the locals is so pleasant and peaceful. I usually follow my runs with a dip in the ocean and a rinse in the outdoor shower.***I would like to mention that I will NOT be doing morning runs at every destination, since it really isn’t the safest option of exercise for a lone female. Once again, Surfing Turtle is an exception because it is so isolated. Jeff has reminded me of this multiple times, and I am also
not allowed to go very far!*** Next up, breakfast!!! We are so lucky to have three HUGE meals prepared for us every day, and we have yet to be disappointed in what they prepare us. Naturally, usually being a dish of traditional Nicaraguan cuisine, all of these meals include some form of rice and beans. Afterwards, I have been pitching in and helping out with the dishes. The kitchen is very basic at best. Gas stove, very small fridge, and a sink where the drains run into buckets that have to be dumped out back of the kitchen when they get too full. You learn very quickly here how lucky we are back home! Usually I spend the rest of my mornings finding little things to do, sweep, count the bar inventory, and yesterday I even tackled our laundry. Let’s just say I have a whole new appreciation for a washer and dryer. This was my first experience doing laundry the old fashioned way, and it is much harder than it looks! They have a “ropa (clothes)” washing station here that consists of a plastic basin to soak, and two other basins for scrubbing and rinsing. Two hours later I
had all of our wet clothes on the line, with our private things hanging on the clothes line I purchased (courtesy of the camping section of Bass Pro Shop)in our room. I don’t need Yairo seeing my panties drying in the breeze…
Usually my afternoons consist of lunch around 1 or 2 p.m. and helping out with the dishes afterwards. Then I read my Nook in a hammock. Tough life, I know. So far I think I have read at least 3 books since I departed the states J Yesterday we had some lunch visitors that own the property next door to Surfing Turtle, aaand they were American!! The first ones we have met so far. They were a couple in their 50’s that own a ranch in Texas. The wife was born in Nicaragua and moved to the states when she was 6. Awhile back they decided to purchase the property here on the beach and make visits to check up on it, and to visit the family she still has here in the neighboring town of Poneloya. It was a nice visit with someone that was familiar with the Midwest! They really liked hearing our story as
well, and thought what we are doing was pretty neat J We also have another guest that arrived yesterday, Annabel from Germany. She is a very nice gal the same age as Jeff, and it was really fun to spend the evening last night talking to her about her travels and life back in Germany. One of my favorite things about our travels so far is meeting people from other cultures. I have learned so much from the few friends we have made so far, and it really makes the world seem so much bigger. It also makes me realize how little I know about other cultures other than my own, as well as global current events. Today we are expecting another guest, a gentleman from Columbia, and that makes four of us!
Saturday Jeff and I are heading back into Leon to meet with Mike, the owner of Surfing Turtle, to hand out flyers in popular backpacker spots to try and increase the traffic flow of guests. He even mentioned we may go as far as Granada to do some advertising there also. This is perfect timing for us because we are almost out of bug spray, toothpaste,
body lotion, and SPF 30 sunscreen!! We are hoping for a large group of backpackers to come through this weekend. It will be a fun change of pace to be busy, and as we are acting as entertainment directors, to get some beach volleyball games going and possibly a late night beach bonfire J If we don’t get any guests by Saturday, we are thinking of changing our plans and backing our bags to bring to Leon with us. We just don’t feel like we are doing much good here with no guests to tend to. By handing out flyers as we head south, we can hopefully bring Surfing Turtle some more business! Until then, we are playing by ear and just enjoying this amazing place! For now I say adios, and hope this letter finds everyone in as good of spirits as we are here on the beach J
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