Sunday, May 31, 2009

"It was all that I wanted, now I'm living without"

It is 5:20 a.m. and already daylight here in Managua. I arrived around 9 p.m. last night after uneventful travel, although I did feel really anxious on the way to the airport. I ended up bringing a bit of work with me and being reminded several times over the past few days of what I hate about litigation. So much of it is unpredictable, and of course, it and deadlines stop for no one. But my anxiety seemed more related to visiting somewhere new--alone. I guess some of what I have read about the frequency of thefts here and the importance of being hyper-vigilant combined with my lack of preparedness and really just the adventure of a trip like this when traveling and planning alone rendered me a bit nervous on the drive to the airport.

Thankfully I arranged a shuttle from my hostel before arriving in Nicaragua, so I was greeted by a young boy holding a sign with my name after grabbing my bags (note I had to check 2 bags simply to avoid exceeding the 50 pound weight limit...oh well at least now they are combined into one). The shuttle was $15 and well worth it, especially since it was dark when I arrived. My private single room (without a restroom unfortunately) at Managua Backpackers Inn is perfectly adequate (with free internet and a fan in my room that made it cool enough), and Michael here has been very helpful. He arranged a cab to pick me up in a few hours to travel to the microbus station where I will arrange transportation to San Juan del Sur. I am generally not a taxi taking sort of person, but everything I have read about Managua has convinced me not to walk or take the bus.

Recognize the lyric? It´s what the shuttle driver was listening to on our ride.

p.s. I am glad my anxiety was fleeting and that I have enough adventurous spirit to do things like this. I realized last night what a gift it is to experience so many new things in just a few hours.

7 comments:

A2 said...

I am SO happy to know that you have arrived safely and that the travel was uneventful. It sounds like the innkeepers are taking good care of you. I am so excited for you on this adventure!

Happy Sunday :)
A2

A2 said...

P.S. I just looked up the local time in Managua, and it's weird that you're so far away-yet only one hour ahead of me here in CDT.

Oh, and that song always makes me think of Pretty Woman :)

boohoo said...

Well done for doing it all alone! You're so brave :) I hope you have a great time.

Ally said...

A2: It's funny...the time difference isn't great, but it's dark here by 7 or so and light at 5 a.m.!

Ys: Thanks!

Pam said...

So glad to hear you arrived safely!

Anonymous said...

What an adventure!

Anonymous said...

Not sure if this helps but there are free public wifi locations listed here:
http://bit.ly/b1VYAt throughout Nicaragua