Of all possible subjects, travel is the most difficult for an artist, as it is the easiest for a journalist. – W. H. Auden
Thursday, June 7, 2012 (DAYS 95 & 96)
Today, our group matures to a new status as it’s moving day, and we are headed to our very own family apartment, which will be home for the next few weeks. Our second story, three bedroom, two bathroom suite is MTV Cribs worthy according to Central American standards complete with wifi, cable television, hot showers, slight ocean views, a full kitchen, even a maid. The $10 per night is a bargain and it only takes six backpackers a mere fifteen minutes to give the place the feeling of an old apartment that has been lived in for months as things begin to be scattered throughout every inch of the roughly 1200 sq ft private living quarters. Scoping out the bedrooms first, Cameron and I are relieved to claim the only bedroom that has two twin beds. I told him to wipe his pouty-face, because there would be no spooning this night or any mister. Glad, that wasn’t awkward.
Today, our group matures to a new status as it’s moving day, and we are headed to our very own family apartment, which will be home for the next few weeks. Our second story, three bedroom, two bathroom suite is MTV Cribs worthy according to Central American standards complete with wifi, cable television, hot showers, slight ocean views, a full kitchen, even a maid. The $10 per night is a bargain and it only takes six backpackers a mere fifteen minutes to give the place the feeling of an old apartment that has been lived in for months as things begin to be scattered throughout every inch of the roughly 1200 sq ft private living quarters. Scoping out the bedrooms first, Cameron and I are relieved to claim the only bedroom that has two twin beds. I told him to wipe his pouty-face, because there would be no spooning this night or any mister. Glad, that wasn’t awkward.
The mixture of roommates I have acquired these past few weeks that has brought us all to San Juan del Sur, and in our current collectivo, I am reminded of the film L’Auberge Espagnole. The film revolves around a diverse group of various nationalities all sharing an apartment in Barcelona, with Xavier at the center of the story. Our Nicaraguan apartment appears to be in continual chaos that ensues on a daily basis, yet, seems to work synchronously with each of our personalities. In the first day there is only limited blood shed and the number of fist fights were kept within double digits. Nail scratching and hair-pulling was potentially the only fatal injury, but after pulling John Wayne and Cameron off of one another and given timeouts in respective corners, order was once again restored at Casa de Amigos. Our central location across the street from central park, affords us with easy access to both the market and the beach.
The end of the week, and the start of the weekend, there’s nothing more rewarding or relaxing then spending an afternoon at the beach. 1:30pm, and we arrive at Playa Maderas, which according to Lonely Planet, is the finest surf beach in the area resting just 15 minutes north of SJDS. Sharing two surfboards between the six of us, we quickly establish a buddy system and head out in pairs to conquer the ocean. Cameron and I take the first turn, and while on our way out to the crashing waves, we both agree that punching an aquatic creature such as a sea lion in the face would complete this picture perfect Friday afternoon. Unsuccessful in our hunt to demonstrate our dominance over nature and claim a closer victory over the environment, we reluctantly head to shore. Before we know it, the time is approaching 5:30pm, and our shuttle is waiting to take us back to town. Climbing in the back bed of the bright green pickup truck, the steep uneven dirt road provides us with complimentary four-wheeling at no additional charge. Returning home just as the sun is setting, the end of another successful day in now in the books, and I am content in the warm breezes of another night in San Juan del Sur.
Accepting an invitation from John Wayne and Julie’s friend John at Casa de Olas to come swimming in their infinity pool, we arrive at the hill top hotel with panoramic scenic views and the most amazing sight I could have imagined. A spider monkey named Buzz. Completely infatuated with my new friend, anyone that knows me has heard my obsession with living out the life of Curious George by having a mischievous monkey counterpart, and I’m frozen in my tracks at this beautiful sight. Giving a small high-five to a monkey should be on everyone’s bucket list, especially one that laughs when you tickle it.
Swimming in an infinity pool overlooking the northern part of the horseshoe bay with the hill to the right that has the world’s second tallest Jesus statue after Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, and the view is absolutely stunning. Staying until the sunsets over the water, the pictures still provide little justice to the actual experience of standing above San Juan del Sur as the gradient colors spread across a clear sky.
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