Blogs from Central America Caribbean - page 52

After getting hasseled at LAX to buy a return ticket, not making it thought security twice because I forgot to check the kitchen knives in my bag, freezing still 5 minutes for an airport red alert, barely making my flight, cursing myself for choosing the middle seat in the only row that doesn't recline (bc it's in front of the exit row) for the overnighter, almost not making it through customs in Haiti because I forgot to write the SOIL address down (but fortunately had made friends with my neighbor on the plane who argued in Creole for me).... I'm here!! It's day 4 now and I'm settling into this new space, language, culture, organization. I've already visited the 2 main composting sites and have seen some of the dry toilets set up in communities. We're ... read more

It is 9PM on Friday and we are getting ready to head out. It will be an early morning, out of bed and on the road by 3AM to catch a 6AM flight out of Toronto to Newark and then on to Guatemala city. Dana is getting all the last second details worked out, making sure the camera has batteries that work and minor details like that. Jim and I are ready to go, we have all packed and if we have left anything behind then it is behind. The next entry will be from Guatemala.... read more

We had an average of 7 ft seas most of the way and had to slow down out speed to about 12 knots. We travelled a total of 444 nm and burned 2900 gal of fuel in 30 hrs. We pulled up right before sunset guided by a local pilot to help us get through the shallows into the marina. There are sandbanks that shift with the wind and current and it is very easy to get stock. We were welcomed by local fisherman inviting the boys to join a wahoo fishing tournament. We also learned that there are humpback whales around the north west point so we are going to look for them after the tournament. We were all happy to see land after a bumpy crossing with an exhausting 2hr on and 6 ... read more

FINALLY! I made it to the Spanish school this morning. After a few negotiations with the teacher I got a nice discount for my classes and volunteering. I feel I can bargain in a foreign language! The class itself was exiting but a bit too easy. Hopefully tomorrow my brain is going to heart. That way I'll know I am learning. After the class I bought two bananas, a tomato, and a pack of dry sugary bread sticks and went back home to have "lunch." During the lunch I asked Catalina how to find a bus stop to go to the Univesidad de Costa Rica and it sounded something like this: “From the house turn right, then go up the street and turn right, another 100m and another right, then left to the sport complex. There ... read more

Déjà presque un mois de passé! Hé bien oui, nous avons finalement quitté Ste-Lucie. Mon frère et sa femme nous ont quittés le 8 janvier; nos vacances se sont terminées pour un temps. À notre grande déception, nous n’avons pas pu aller en Martinique, la mer et les vents s’étaient ligués contre nous, il faudra que mon frère revienne pour la Martinique! Nous avons donc marché un peu (à cause de mon pied et du dos de Roseline), les visites se sont restreintes aux abords de l’île Pigeon, la plage, le marché de Castries et une soirée chez des amis venus en vacances dans leur famille. Ce fut une très agréable soirée sans compter que, de la terrasse où nous étions, nous avions une vue directe sur le mouillage au pied de l’île Pigeon dans Rodney ... read more

Granada So amazing wish I had another few days to explore. There is too much too do and see that you can't do it all in one day. Went to the market in Masaya on the way to Granada. It is in the remains of what looks to be some old town square. Not quite sure as the driver didn't speak a word of English. The driver/guide that I was supposed to go with arrived here and said that his brother was taking me instead. Seems as though that always happens here. Everyone has a brother that ends up doing the job. Anyhow the market is huge. And very cheap as far as arts and crafts go for tourists. The farther you get into the market the cheaper it seems to get. However, it is like ... read more