Cajero Automatico

It was inevitable, but I didn´t think it would happen to me. I just arrived in Grenada, Nicaragua last night. After sleeping on a couch (they didn´t have any beds) and trying to avoid countless couples making out in the dark (they were everywhere, in hammocks, on the couch next to me, standing up, etc.) I went to the bank this morning to withdraw some Cordoba cash. Well, 18 Cordobas is roughly $1 and my attempt to withdrawal $50 went awry. Yes, 1, plus a couple zeros and you have a potential disaster on your hands...

Luckily, I only put one zero too many so I´m left with $500. But if you see 10,000 Cordobas, you feel like Bill Gates and your pocket shows it as well. I´m not sure what I´m going to do with it yet, even if I exchange it back for US dollars. I guess the only logical thing to do is to rent a horse and cart (not uncommon here) and start throwing Benjamins (or the equivalent) out on the street. Bling´n all the way!

Den takes over Costa Rica

I have to give my brother big props for:

• 1) Getting down here to Costa Rica and coming to see me. Thanks Den!
• 2) For jumping off this crazy secluded waterfall in Montezuma. (Yes Marshall, there is another and better waterfall directly above the one we visited.)

Now from the picture, it looks like the cliff is all of about 5 feet but in reality, you´re looking at a man who jumped somewhere to the tune of about 25´to 35´ without hesitation. An attempt I eventually tried (only once) after much contemplation and only after Denny completed the jump several times. I´ve skydived before and the feeling of jumping off this was very similar. It could have been a little bit more risky / insane because no one had extensively documented the existence of rocks or the depth of the pool below. Not to mention the fact that the nearest hospital would have been about 4 hours away but that´s what makes Costa Rica fun!

You can see that safety was his primary concern from his form during the jump. One hand over the nose to protect against water infiltration to the nasal cavity and the other arm extended and parallel to the body for ease of surface water penetration. Perfect form for maximum safety.

I make fun (because it´s my blog and I can) but until you see my jump (which won´t be possible because of technical difficulties.) with arms and legs flailing like a crazed monkey, you haven´t seen anything funny yet.

Another tough day

After a strenous day surfing at Playa Maderas in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, I had to take some time to relax (taking care not to over exert myself) and take in the beautiful scenery. If you don´t own a hammock, I encourage you to stop whatever you´re doing at this very moment (work, school, driving or something more important like watching TV) and make this investment. It´s the best money you´ve spent since your first Happy Meal at McDonalds. Guaranteed!

Windsurfing at Lake Arenal

Windsurfing at Lake Arenal is one of the best in the world. It wasn´t necessarily the best in the world the day I went but it was good for someone like me (who has the coordination of a drunken monkey) who was trying it for the first time.

I placed the first picture at the beginning because this is where I spent 98% of my day. Off the board, in the water, angry, frustrated and wet.

Photo 2 is my grueling Dutch instructor looking down in disappointment as I struggle to get control of the sail, yet again! She was great but relentless and often muttering things in Dutch like ¨You stupid worthless American!¨ or ¨Americans are inferior to Dutch.¨ (This is even more funny if you´ve actually met Jolanda. She is one of the sweetest people you will meet.) (Yeah

Photo 3 is VICTORY. I don´t know what happened. All of sudden, my body just understood how it was supposed to work and I just started sailing. As luck would have it, it is also the approximate time that the wind stopped. I´m ready for the big show now though. I really enjoyed it and would like to try it again. Unlike surfing (regular unleaded), if you know what you are doing, you really never have to get into the water nor have the waves beat you down. Lekker!

I´m ready for the big show now. Gracias por todos, Jolanda!