BUYA!! :D
tomorrow we leave for 10 days out in the Pacific Ocean.. haven´t been out that long in my life ever! ;) hehe :) will be so AWESOME!
today I got my staff uniform and I´m looking forward to meet the passengers tomorrow morning. In last second they make the Nitrox compressor work and we put in some new refridgerators to store food. The crew is the Captain, Machinist, Chief of decks, Assistant, 3 Divemaster a Chef and me :D haha :) it´s gonna be soooo good! eating nice food and checking out some of the best diving in this world!
I spent just 290 bucks today to get a divecomputer that´s mandatory to have but actually was about time to get one and it´s a pretty good offer (they go to 600 USD ;) and will do really good! On my level it kinda sucks to relay on the computer of your buddy (what you can´t really do, because of different dive profiles). So it´s good to have my own one :) the rest of the stuff I´m borrowing from the boat. I´m not sure if Luciano knew this all the time but I´m glad it works this way now (after I asked for BCD and Regulator ;) hehe :) I mean, I just don´t have the space to carry all this stuff along for just some short moments as this (as incredible and special they are ;)
after tonight I won´t party for 10 days and I think that´s also very nicely timed after the last days I had in Santa Theresa ;) hehe :)
what more.. got a nice bed with my own personal life jacket, I´m good friend of the Captain already and everybody seems to be really awesome! well.. the DMs I might to earn my respect first as I have no idea how diving out there will be.. might have strong currents and high waves, but yeah.. nothing too hard for me ;)
hear from me when I´m back, showing hopefully some stunning pictures (taken from the rest of the passengers that have cameras ;)
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
one more wish delivered by the universe! :)
Pura Vida!! (they say it all the time and it means "pure life") and represents the great attitude the people have here in Costa Rica! :)
now listen to this:
it´s totally the shit!! :D I was about to take the 11am ferry and make another loop through Costa Rica, because I felt so much turned down by life.. but then I talked to the owner of one of the three companies that go out to the Islas de Coco and the guy tells me that he finds me sympathetic and gives me the opportunity to go out and dive on the trip next week!!!! HAHAHAHA :D isn´t that just super great!! well, I still pay for my costs, that´s a hundred dollars a day (still my budget ;) and some park fees.. but hey.. diving with hammerheads! there´s no price for that! ;) I´ll also be helping on the boat with what I can.. I´m sure the experience will be unforgettable!! while being out I don´t have to take care of staying, food, going out.. so I save a good amount of money by being unable to spend ;) therefore I´m making a lot of party here in Santa Theresa ;) waves are not really good at the moment and it happened, that I went to bed the last days when the sun was rising ;) tonight won´t be different and tomorrow Saturday will also be a blast! ;)
met some fire spinners here and we will perform tonight (what hopefully provides me free drinks at the bar ;) and it´s always nice to make a little show! :)
so yes.. Sunday back to Puntarenas, Monday introduction of the boat and rules, getting my wetsuit and probably loading cargo. Then we drive 2 days out, will spend 6 days there, diving 4 times a day on Nitrox (I´m glad I have the license ;) hehe :) and then 2 days back (it´s about 500km out in the ocean). I think, I haven´t been out for so long on sea ever.. will be really cool! it´s a big, quite luxury boat and I´m looking forward to meet the passengers! :) there are just three companies who have the permits and boats to go out and the trips are very, very limited (so are the people who have seen this spot) ah dude, how blessed I am! ;) I´ll see that I get some good pictures of the dive to upload on Facebook ;)
so yeah.. here in Santa Catarina I feel good vibes! there is not a single bite of food I had that was not extraordinary delicious!! :) and I have a room with big bed, TV, fridge (fridge rules!! :) haha :D and private bathroom for 10 USD a day.. really cozy nice place to spend the next days until I leave the firm ground ;)
I met lots of nice people here and looking forward to go out again tonight! ;) comes all in phases, I guess.. sometimes I feel not like going out and doing all this stuff, but then sometimes I do and then I do it full-on! ;) haha :)
it´s really beautiful around here.. the roads leading to this place are not paved and it´s all a bit more rural and chill (even if it changed a lot over the last 15 years). It just has a good size for me now ;) haven´t taken a lot of pictures lately though. I think was more processing inner things and didn´t feel like taking pictures.. no worries, there will be some in the end ;) hehe :)
my friend Renzo from my former employer is waiting for his bike in Anchorage, after being inspired and just made it happen! Badass!! :) I´m sure he´ll have also a great time! :) won´t catch up with me probably ;)
yes.. that´s for you out there: JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN! because there is nobody else creating your life than you and the more you become aware of it, the better work things out. I felt almost my channeling efforts having been in vane, but then was the right time in the right spot and got a place on the boat :)
have a great time and hear from me! :)
now listen to this:
it´s totally the shit!! :D I was about to take the 11am ferry and make another loop through Costa Rica, because I felt so much turned down by life.. but then I talked to the owner of one of the three companies that go out to the Islas de Coco and the guy tells me that he finds me sympathetic and gives me the opportunity to go out and dive on the trip next week!!!! HAHAHAHA :D isn´t that just super great!! well, I still pay for my costs, that´s a hundred dollars a day (still my budget ;) and some park fees.. but hey.. diving with hammerheads! there´s no price for that! ;) I´ll also be helping on the boat with what I can.. I´m sure the experience will be unforgettable!! while being out I don´t have to take care of staying, food, going out.. so I save a good amount of money by being unable to spend ;) therefore I´m making a lot of party here in Santa Theresa ;) waves are not really good at the moment and it happened, that I went to bed the last days when the sun was rising ;) tonight won´t be different and tomorrow Saturday will also be a blast! ;)
met some fire spinners here and we will perform tonight (what hopefully provides me free drinks at the bar ;) and it´s always nice to make a little show! :)
so yes.. Sunday back to Puntarenas, Monday introduction of the boat and rules, getting my wetsuit and probably loading cargo. Then we drive 2 days out, will spend 6 days there, diving 4 times a day on Nitrox (I´m glad I have the license ;) hehe :) and then 2 days back (it´s about 500km out in the ocean). I think, I haven´t been out for so long on sea ever.. will be really cool! it´s a big, quite luxury boat and I´m looking forward to meet the passengers! :) there are just three companies who have the permits and boats to go out and the trips are very, very limited (so are the people who have seen this spot) ah dude, how blessed I am! ;) I´ll see that I get some good pictures of the dive to upload on Facebook ;)
so yeah.. here in Santa Catarina I feel good vibes! there is not a single bite of food I had that was not extraordinary delicious!! :) and I have a room with big bed, TV, fridge (fridge rules!! :) haha :D and private bathroom for 10 USD a day.. really cozy nice place to spend the next days until I leave the firm ground ;)
I met lots of nice people here and looking forward to go out again tonight! ;) comes all in phases, I guess.. sometimes I feel not like going out and doing all this stuff, but then sometimes I do and then I do it full-on! ;) haha :)
it´s really beautiful around here.. the roads leading to this place are not paved and it´s all a bit more rural and chill (even if it changed a lot over the last 15 years). It just has a good size for me now ;) haven´t taken a lot of pictures lately though. I think was more processing inner things and didn´t feel like taking pictures.. no worries, there will be some in the end ;) hehe :)
my friend Renzo from my former employer is waiting for his bike in Anchorage, after being inspired and just made it happen! Badass!! :) I´m sure he´ll have also a great time! :) won´t catch up with me probably ;)
yes.. that´s for you out there: JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN! because there is nobody else creating your life than you and the more you become aware of it, the better work things out. I felt almost my channeling efforts having been in vane, but then was the right time in the right spot and got a place on the boat :)
have a great time and hear from me! :)
Monday, May 17, 2010
..and all seemed to look that well..
heyhey :)
hmm.. before even more things happen (sorry, before I make them happen ;) I write some lines. So I was surfing and it was SOOO much fun!! :) in fact, will go again here in Costa Rica (anyway nothing else to do on a beach). Figured out that the first time I tried, I had a really bad board. So this time it was even easier and more fun! ;) living on the beach (or sailing), I will for sure ride some waves!! :)
met a guy from along the way and we hanged out together.. was nice to see a familiar face and we had a good time! :)
Then I crossed the boarder without having too much trouble. Spent though on both sides 10 dollars (a price I can accept, once it´s clear from the beginning). And yes, things run smoother if somebody get´s you through the paper work (I mean, I need anyway somebody to ask how all this works) ..furthermore they wouldn´t let you do it by yourself ;) took my about 2 hours and I was in Costa Rica. Got a free tourist travel map that´s just good enough to bring me across the country.
my first stop was in Tamarindo, where I was supposed to meet somebody.. wasn´t there then in the end, but I got a piercing in my lip ;) (no worries Mom, 1st) you can always take it out and 2nd) I just wanted the experience ;). But it will take some time to heal and I have still to get used to it (like it already a lot! :) now I have always something to play around with my tongue ;)
Tamarindo is pretty touristy but then also nice to run into some people and share stories.. I´ll be for sure back on the peninsula.
Left then Tamarindo and went to Puntarenas to find work as a divemaster. Well.. I might just round it up here. First it looked all good and I got really excited when the assistants where telling me that his boss is looking for somebody, but then when I talked to the person in charge, it´s not about to happen.
One thing is that I need a work Visa.. no visa, no work. But also no visa without a contract (so it´s a dog biting it´s tail). Then yes.. I have no experience with that job and with the environment. So I would have to be trained and so on and the other guy said, there would be again ships in September.. but that´s WAAAAAAY too far away for me. I would have to help with repairs on the boat at the dock and I think it would not be, what I expect. (I know, can´t expect to just get the cream ;) but then I rather pay for this trip any time in my life than sacrificing half a year of my life. Anyway.. going to speak personally to these people tomorrow, but gave up hope to get work here. If I would be retired in my country I could get residential papers or marrying a girl or having a baby with one ;) haha ;)) no worries, not real options to me ;)
I will also try further down, where there is another port where boat are.. then I have a couple of almost non-existent-chances, where I´m asking as well, just to have tried anything. Otherwise the plan B is made. It´s a ride (making a loop, because I´m all over the place) connecting some beaches, volcano, hot springs, tree house community and then to Panama.
I was at a Psy Trance Party on Saturday and it was just a BLAST! :) really super, super cool! beautiful spot! sky full of stars! lovely people, great sound, lot´s of party! met cool people from this community, got invited stuff and inspired a lot with my contact ball!
I´d wish to find work here, so I could be more on these parties! :) they have a small, but really nice community! was about time to shake my ass off at a party like that! :) and good to have your own ride, so I could just drive there and tarp my bike. got a pretty sunset and it the morning arrived mystical fog ;) It was dry the whole night, but when the people left and we started afterhour, it was rainy (what was not too bad, cooled a bit down and the place was the veranda of a house.
Only the end got as chaotic as it can.. I assumed I could stay over night, but the guy renting the place was not allowing it, so I had to leave the place when it was getting dark already and my light is broken at the moment.. so I ended up heading out, without knowing where there´s a place to stay close (there was none really close), getting dark, no light, no mirrors (broke off once more :P and it started to rain.. was really a leap of faith!
but then when I stopped to ask for the way, a couple on a motorcicle stopped and they escorted me to the next city, leaving me in a good spot with parking close by. My Saviours!! :D like angels, providing a helping hand from the universe! :)
so I could recover from being awake and partying for 36 hours and this morning I tried to get interviews for the job, just figuring out, that I was too excited about all this. Well.. I´m used to quick changes and I think it´s just another experience more, that helps increasing the quality of my life over time ;)
While this horror ride on my bike, I was so 100% sure to fix just everything in San Jose.. there are some minor things to fix, things to look at, adjust, just make it run a bit smoother.. But then when I saw the price of a simple service here, I almost passed out. You really don´t want to fix your bike in Costa Rica! the cooling fan is 200 USD more expensive than in Mexico (almost double price) and I think I could have payed up to 2000 USD for all the things I wanted to fix. I should have gotten than fan in Mexico (thought it will be cheaper further down), when it was 230 USD .. now they order one to Panama, that will be 330 USD and don´t dare to wait any longer to Colombia.. I mean, it will be anyway expensive, it´s just more expensive now than it was before. This is because Costa Rica has a lot of import taxes. So having a BMW is more than luxury! I heard, should be about half the price to do the things down in Panama.. well.. the parts will be costly anyway, but I got not much of a choice. So I calculate a bit more money to get it fixed and it will happen in about 3 weeks. There are not too many more riding days until I get down and I´ll make sure to not drive anymore when it´s dark and will probably super-glue a mirror back on, until I get it done properly. Too bad.. was looking forward to renew my bike, but CR is not an option.
hmm.. what more.. broken dreams of being divemaster here, bike that could not been fixed.. but then there are a lot of bright, shiny moments in my life and it´s interesting.. at least I´m not just drifting along, but trying to get things done and having a purpose in the day.
day by day.. will all be good! ;)
hmm.. before even more things happen (sorry, before I make them happen ;) I write some lines. So I was surfing and it was SOOO much fun!! :) in fact, will go again here in Costa Rica (anyway nothing else to do on a beach). Figured out that the first time I tried, I had a really bad board. So this time it was even easier and more fun! ;) living on the beach (or sailing), I will for sure ride some waves!! :)
met a guy from along the way and we hanged out together.. was nice to see a familiar face and we had a good time! :)
Then I crossed the boarder without having too much trouble. Spent though on both sides 10 dollars (a price I can accept, once it´s clear from the beginning). And yes, things run smoother if somebody get´s you through the paper work (I mean, I need anyway somebody to ask how all this works) ..furthermore they wouldn´t let you do it by yourself ;) took my about 2 hours and I was in Costa Rica. Got a free tourist travel map that´s just good enough to bring me across the country.
my first stop was in Tamarindo, where I was supposed to meet somebody.. wasn´t there then in the end, but I got a piercing in my lip ;) (no worries Mom, 1st) you can always take it out and 2nd) I just wanted the experience ;). But it will take some time to heal and I have still to get used to it (like it already a lot! :) now I have always something to play around with my tongue ;)
Tamarindo is pretty touristy but then also nice to run into some people and share stories.. I´ll be for sure back on the peninsula.
Left then Tamarindo and went to Puntarenas to find work as a divemaster. Well.. I might just round it up here. First it looked all good and I got really excited when the assistants where telling me that his boss is looking for somebody, but then when I talked to the person in charge, it´s not about to happen.
One thing is that I need a work Visa.. no visa, no work. But also no visa without a contract (so it´s a dog biting it´s tail). Then yes.. I have no experience with that job and with the environment. So I would have to be trained and so on and the other guy said, there would be again ships in September.. but that´s WAAAAAAY too far away for me. I would have to help with repairs on the boat at the dock and I think it would not be, what I expect. (I know, can´t expect to just get the cream ;) but then I rather pay for this trip any time in my life than sacrificing half a year of my life. Anyway.. going to speak personally to these people tomorrow, but gave up hope to get work here. If I would be retired in my country I could get residential papers or marrying a girl or having a baby with one ;) haha ;)) no worries, not real options to me ;)
I will also try further down, where there is another port where boat are.. then I have a couple of almost non-existent-chances, where I´m asking as well, just to have tried anything. Otherwise the plan B is made. It´s a ride (making a loop, because I´m all over the place) connecting some beaches, volcano, hot springs, tree house community and then to Panama.
I was at a Psy Trance Party on Saturday and it was just a BLAST! :) really super, super cool! beautiful spot! sky full of stars! lovely people, great sound, lot´s of party! met cool people from this community, got invited stuff and inspired a lot with my contact ball!
I´d wish to find work here, so I could be more on these parties! :) they have a small, but really nice community! was about time to shake my ass off at a party like that! :) and good to have your own ride, so I could just drive there and tarp my bike. got a pretty sunset and it the morning arrived mystical fog ;) It was dry the whole night, but when the people left and we started afterhour, it was rainy (what was not too bad, cooled a bit down and the place was the veranda of a house.
Only the end got as chaotic as it can.. I assumed I could stay over night, but the guy renting the place was not allowing it, so I had to leave the place when it was getting dark already and my light is broken at the moment.. so I ended up heading out, without knowing where there´s a place to stay close (there was none really close), getting dark, no light, no mirrors (broke off once more :P and it started to rain.. was really a leap of faith!
but then when I stopped to ask for the way, a couple on a motorcicle stopped and they escorted me to the next city, leaving me in a good spot with parking close by. My Saviours!! :D like angels, providing a helping hand from the universe! :)
so I could recover from being awake and partying for 36 hours and this morning I tried to get interviews for the job, just figuring out, that I was too excited about all this. Well.. I´m used to quick changes and I think it´s just another experience more, that helps increasing the quality of my life over time ;)
While this horror ride on my bike, I was so 100% sure to fix just everything in San Jose.. there are some minor things to fix, things to look at, adjust, just make it run a bit smoother.. But then when I saw the price of a simple service here, I almost passed out. You really don´t want to fix your bike in Costa Rica! the cooling fan is 200 USD more expensive than in Mexico (almost double price) and I think I could have payed up to 2000 USD for all the things I wanted to fix. I should have gotten than fan in Mexico (thought it will be cheaper further down), when it was 230 USD .. now they order one to Panama, that will be 330 USD and don´t dare to wait any longer to Colombia.. I mean, it will be anyway expensive, it´s just more expensive now than it was before. This is because Costa Rica has a lot of import taxes. So having a BMW is more than luxury! I heard, should be about half the price to do the things down in Panama.. well.. the parts will be costly anyway, but I got not much of a choice. So I calculate a bit more money to get it fixed and it will happen in about 3 weeks. There are not too many more riding days until I get down and I´ll make sure to not drive anymore when it´s dark and will probably super-glue a mirror back on, until I get it done properly. Too bad.. was looking forward to renew my bike, but CR is not an option.
hmm.. what more.. broken dreams of being divemaster here, bike that could not been fixed.. but then there are a lot of bright, shiny moments in my life and it´s interesting.. at least I´m not just drifting along, but trying to get things done and having a purpose in the day.
day by day.. will all be good! ;)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
..Ometepe, Volcano Island..
Hi there :)
I´m here in San Juan del Sur, after I took the ferry over to the island of Ometepe (looks really nice with it´s two volcanos) and drove around to the more remote side close to a place called "Balague" where I stayed two nights at a coffee farm with accommodations. I hoped to run into a friend that I met Saturday night and even if she was in other things, we still felt our deep connection as when we met the first time in Semuk Champai, Guatemala. She and her companion just showed up after two days when I was about to leave and so only the stars know, if our paths will cross again (I really hope so!! sending out secret wishes to the universe)
I had to sort many things out in my head and didn´t feel too connected to the few other people that were around, but I guess, sometimes you have phases like that to process past experiences.
I hiked on the volcano Madera and did so in about half the time most people need to climb it ;) also didn´t take a guide along, because I really just wanted to be with myself, no guide, no big groups.. just me and the volcano ;) after half the way, you get into the cloud that forms around the top during the day.. so it becomes wet and a bit slippery, bigger rocks instead of a earth and roots. then you descend from the crest into the crater, where there is a small lagoon with about 200m diameter. It first was so foggy that I couldn´t see 20m out in the water, but then opened up a bit to take a picture showing the other side of it and it was all in all a really good hike, helping me solving some stuff and good excercise! :)
in the evening I tagged along with a multinational guy and two girls from Montreal to have a nocturne swim in the lake! :) was really nice! it´s pretty warm (because of it´s green-brownish color and the stars were shining lovely above :)
I realized in these days that some past things should remain past and that I should focus more on the way before me. I wished, I would have realized this long ago, but I guess it just takes time mostly to do so and I hope I advanced finally having freed myself from these things.
was riding then to the port, getting on the ferry again (it takes 1 hour to get to the mainland and it was cheap to bring the bike along and they attached it as well really good on the boat :)
yesterday I arrived in San Juan del Sur, checked a surfing beach (want to go surfing today! :) and drove to the boarder, walking over to Costa Rica to ask about a work visa and checked with Nicaragua about my resting days (won´t be a problem to leave the country.. can pay a dollar per day overstayed and won´t be many).
In fact, I´m leaving tomorrow, because there is a Psy Trance party in Costa Rica and I started my project to get a divemaster job there.. if there´s a way, I´ll make it! :D
Nicaragua is really small compared to other countries and the same is for Costa Rica.. I will probably drive all over the place trying to get my things done and it´s not too bad, because nothing is more than a day of riding.. :)
hear from me soon..
I´m here in San Juan del Sur, after I took the ferry over to the island of Ometepe (looks really nice with it´s two volcanos) and drove around to the more remote side close to a place called "Balague" where I stayed two nights at a coffee farm with accommodations. I hoped to run into a friend that I met Saturday night and even if she was in other things, we still felt our deep connection as when we met the first time in Semuk Champai, Guatemala. She and her companion just showed up after two days when I was about to leave and so only the stars know, if our paths will cross again (I really hope so!! sending out secret wishes to the universe)
I had to sort many things out in my head and didn´t feel too connected to the few other people that were around, but I guess, sometimes you have phases like that to process past experiences.
I hiked on the volcano Madera and did so in about half the time most people need to climb it ;) also didn´t take a guide along, because I really just wanted to be with myself, no guide, no big groups.. just me and the volcano ;) after half the way, you get into the cloud that forms around the top during the day.. so it becomes wet and a bit slippery, bigger rocks instead of a earth and roots. then you descend from the crest into the crater, where there is a small lagoon with about 200m diameter. It first was so foggy that I couldn´t see 20m out in the water, but then opened up a bit to take a picture showing the other side of it and it was all in all a really good hike, helping me solving some stuff and good excercise! :)
in the evening I tagged along with a multinational guy and two girls from Montreal to have a nocturne swim in the lake! :) was really nice! it´s pretty warm (because of it´s green-brownish color and the stars were shining lovely above :)
I realized in these days that some past things should remain past and that I should focus more on the way before me. I wished, I would have realized this long ago, but I guess it just takes time mostly to do so and I hope I advanced finally having freed myself from these things.
was riding then to the port, getting on the ferry again (it takes 1 hour to get to the mainland and it was cheap to bring the bike along and they attached it as well really good on the boat :)
yesterday I arrived in San Juan del Sur, checked a surfing beach (want to go surfing today! :) and drove to the boarder, walking over to Costa Rica to ask about a work visa and checked with Nicaragua about my resting days (won´t be a problem to leave the country.. can pay a dollar per day overstayed and won´t be many).
In fact, I´m leaving tomorrow, because there is a Psy Trance party in Costa Rica and I started my project to get a divemaster job there.. if there´s a way, I´ll make it! :D
Nicaragua is really small compared to other countries and the same is for Costa Rica.. I will probably drive all over the place trying to get my things done and it´s not too bad, because nothing is more than a day of riding.. :)
hear from me soon..
Saturday, May 8, 2010
..last day in Granada..
not always the things work out the way you want and so I end up here with broken dreams and burning pain in my chest, that´s about to vanish as smoke in the wind..
still haven´t any pictures of this nice, colorful town and it´s churches.. somehow don´t feel as running around and capturing in with my cam just to upload in the internet. Was all in all very nice here.. interesting and intense times!!
I went to the Santiago Volcano close to Masaya, where sulfuric gases come out of a huge crater and where you can hike around the crater, enjoying a spectacular view (I hope the pics worked out) and I was also on the Mombacho Volcano close to here, where there is a rain forest on this 1000m high peak growing. It´s a nice clima up there.. not too hot and humid as rainforest is supposed to be ;) after big plans, I ended up there by myself and did the forbidden Puma trail (forbidden, because I didn´t have a 15USD guide with me ;) and basically run the 4km in half the time they calculate. Was a good workout and gave me some headspace. Mostly you are on jungle trails without having a lot of view or seeing wildlife, but there are some nice lookouts where´s it´s worth to stop for a while. Beautiful to watch over the flat country and seeing the beginning hills in the distance.
a reason to stay another day is the local fire spinning group that I met yesterday. Want to perform tonight as well and make some sound with my didge (they have flute and djembe). Otherwise I was busy with heart issues until yesterday.. so today I might just trip around the city and start drinking early ;) having a party Saturday and going to Ometepe Island tomorrow. Already packed up my stuff, but a day more or less never really mattered and here is for sure more going on to go out in the night.
fixing my bike was pretty easy.. I met this guy here that is just the pure Nicaraguan McGyver :) he was maybe not always as careful as I hoped, but he actually made a good job.. wielded my mirrors back on the screws (so no expensive screws, just a bit working time to pay :) and riveted my side case, painted the bike new (he was about to paint all of the metal frames, but I stopped him at a certain point.. ;) even if I have to admit, that the new hand painting looks better than before :)
I´m glad I could give some money to local people for such a great (and very much needed) service. I took the front cover apart and attached the lamp again and now I know how the beam can be adjusted to the street ;)
most impressing was his backyard, where it´s not adviced to enter without having a Tetanus shot ;) hehe :) there is rusty metal crap lying around all over the place but he got all the parts we needed out of it ;) yes.. glad I met this guy.. now I´m ready to roll again! :D
have to stop though in Costa Rica to get a new fan and fix my cooling system.. had to stop twice in the last days because the lamp came on :( hope this is not going to happen anymore.. especially not while riding with all my stuff through the mountains or having someone else on the bike.
well yes.. I think this is mostly what I´ve done here in the last days ;) there is of course always a lot more going on, but I wouldn´t want to have this blog too detailed.. just the most important things ;)
have a blissfull day and hear from me!
still haven´t any pictures of this nice, colorful town and it´s churches.. somehow don´t feel as running around and capturing in with my cam just to upload in the internet. Was all in all very nice here.. interesting and intense times!!
I went to the Santiago Volcano close to Masaya, where sulfuric gases come out of a huge crater and where you can hike around the crater, enjoying a spectacular view (I hope the pics worked out) and I was also on the Mombacho Volcano close to here, where there is a rain forest on this 1000m high peak growing. It´s a nice clima up there.. not too hot and humid as rainforest is supposed to be ;) after big plans, I ended up there by myself and did the forbidden Puma trail (forbidden, because I didn´t have a 15USD guide with me ;) and basically run the 4km in half the time they calculate. Was a good workout and gave me some headspace. Mostly you are on jungle trails without having a lot of view or seeing wildlife, but there are some nice lookouts where´s it´s worth to stop for a while. Beautiful to watch over the flat country and seeing the beginning hills in the distance.
a reason to stay another day is the local fire spinning group that I met yesterday. Want to perform tonight as well and make some sound with my didge (they have flute and djembe). Otherwise I was busy with heart issues until yesterday.. so today I might just trip around the city and start drinking early ;) having a party Saturday and going to Ometepe Island tomorrow. Already packed up my stuff, but a day more or less never really mattered and here is for sure more going on to go out in the night.
fixing my bike was pretty easy.. I met this guy here that is just the pure Nicaraguan McGyver :) he was maybe not always as careful as I hoped, but he actually made a good job.. wielded my mirrors back on the screws (so no expensive screws, just a bit working time to pay :) and riveted my side case, painted the bike new (he was about to paint all of the metal frames, but I stopped him at a certain point.. ;) even if I have to admit, that the new hand painting looks better than before :)
I´m glad I could give some money to local people for such a great (and very much needed) service. I took the front cover apart and attached the lamp again and now I know how the beam can be adjusted to the street ;)
most impressing was his backyard, where it´s not adviced to enter without having a Tetanus shot ;) hehe :) there is rusty metal crap lying around all over the place but he got all the parts we needed out of it ;) yes.. glad I met this guy.. now I´m ready to roll again! :D
have to stop though in Costa Rica to get a new fan and fix my cooling system.. had to stop twice in the last days because the lamp came on :( hope this is not going to happen anymore.. especially not while riding with all my stuff through the mountains or having someone else on the bike.
well yes.. I think this is mostly what I´ve done here in the last days ;) there is of course always a lot more going on, but I wouldn´t want to have this blog too detailed.. just the most important things ;)
have a blissfull day and hear from me!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
..lucky fools day..
Wow! ..exept for being blissed by love, I really experience everything down here! :)
I went to the "Black Hill", a volcano where you can run (or slide) down a sandy slope. Getting there I obviously used my bike and saved 23 dollars, having way more fun driving there, then changing my 50hp for 1 horse power and riding for 2km :) the guy had some BMW 650 experience and I galoped smiling past houses and families on the country side ;) after enjoying the nice view on the volcano I ran down in full speed (up: 25min, down:1.5min ;) and it happened that a short but strong rain started, so there were raindrops hitting the slope in a 90degree angle, what made a real good ambience for the thrilling way down :D
driving back to town was a bit more challenging by having different conditions after a bit of rain, but was still fun.. just sliding with the 200kg bike (and not dropping it once!! :D
spent time with friends in Leon and met some people from earlier on the trip. Was nice to say hello again! :) then I managed to get exiled from a hotel place.. long story.. stayed a night and needed more privacy, but still had friends and my bike there and the guy was, it´s OK you can be here but then behind my back advising people to kick me out and I just ignored this silly behaviour what brought it to the point where they didn´t like me too much anymore ;) but well.. it´s not too bad.. doesn´t mean to be exiled from a country ;)
after some other wild (and censored ;) adventures, I continued to Somoto, where I heard is a really nice canyon. On the way I stopped for a cheap and very tasty breakfast, having a deeply spiritual conversation with a 72 year old local man. It´s wunderful what set of mind some people have here!! :D
took then some dirt roads to Somoto (instead of going directly to Granada) and ended up taking a tour through the canyon with some local young guides. Normally I don´t like tours, but hearing about the development of their area, I really like to help them out with some money.. and you´d probably die doing it on your own ;) hehe :) I still felt kinda bad that they charged so few money.. I paid 10 bucks to go down this canyon.. swimming, climbing, jumping from a rock and another 10 to grapple three times from a 30-40m rock.. that was thrilling!! :D got better and better, but still not as in the movies ;) it´s a really beautiful peace of land, unfortunately not having pictures of it, because my battery died :P but there were 2 kids involved carrying the equipment forth and back and 2 other guides who came down with me the canyon, having a float with them to transport a dry box (with my dead cam ;P )
you have to go with feet first for not hitting rocks and at certain points you just lay on the back, see the steep walls, the blue sky above, clouds passing by and vultures making their circles. There are many wholes in the walls and bats fly close over the water, hunting insects. The area consists of two rivers flowing together and many beautiful hills, shining in fresh green, now as rain is falling over night (sometimes day ;) ..I heard, it started about 20 days ago and it´s waaaaay more beautiful than just having everything brownish dry. So from this aspect, being here in the rainy season isn´t all that bad.
I stayed then with a family, had simple but tasty food and learned about cultivating beans and rice and guess what, everything is just natural.. every egg, every single bean. Nothing has ever seen a can. It´s a very poor country, but people living mostly self sustaining and more natural than we city people do..
I went to bed early (what happened mostly in the last days.. also for having some inner issues to fix :-/ ) and the next morning we went riding, this time on top of the canyon, to three view points (miradores). The horse was just WONDERFUL!! well, at a certain point it tried to kick me, but missed or I was too quickly, so luckily it didn´t get me ;) but it was one of the most amazing horses I rode and if I wouldn´t have a bike, I think, I would have bought it!! :D haha! :D yes, we were running through these hills and stopped at some relativs place from the guide. They were working with a wooden plug and two oxes and I tried to manage that for a line, but it´s really hard work and the oxes have to be quite a bit animated.. otherwise they just stand around or run across the field ;)
so yes.. you out there.. if you like horses and want a special experience (maybe a future project of mine), come to Nicaragua, buy a really good horse for 300USD and a saddle for 100USD, put a fur of a sheep on top for being more comfi and then ride a month through Nicaragua on unpaved roads, through mountains, even into small towns and cities, because lots of people do here. everybody knows about horses and you get a vet in every small place, helping you out if it has to be. The country is very safe, people super friendly, food simple but good and for 2-4 weeks I could easily imagine to make an experience like that.. if I wouldn´t take off for diving on my next few holidays, then I would do the riding thing.. as I tried in Argentina ;) here it´s way more the place to do it! eventually you could even cross boarder to Costa Rica! :D yes.. this is another trip that I might do one day if I get bored over there.. just about my level of adventure ;)
then yesterday I had a super long day of riding.. first I managed to break both my mirrors off again (didn´t happen since Alaska) and some other stuff.. well, nothing that hasn´t fallen off already once on this trip, exept for the head light that is out of it´s socket.. will try to fix that here tomorrow in town. I don´t have a single scratch of it, thanks to my leather gloves (well, my palm hurts a bit from the impact, but really nothing to be worried about). It hurts a bit, because I know the adapter screw of the mirrors are 20 USD each and I probably have to see a dealership in Costa Rica, where it´s more expensive than in Colombia. Took then 50km to regain confidence in me and the bike and I´m happy the front fork isn´t bent, this would be a loooot of troubles!! so it was just one more experience and reminded me a bit to drive extra cautious, maybe applying some different technics on the road in the traffic.
then there was a police guy stopping me, telling me something about missing papers and fine and I was telling them that I paid for everything at the boarder and I don´t like to pay extra fine that is not necessary. Well, they let me go.. but you know, Panamericana.. the road where many bikers drive down and cops get some extra income. Hmmm.. let´s see how I handle it in the future. I´m not willed to pay, but might just ask for their boss in such a case.. because another tactic is not to speak spanish anymore or maybe just noting down their name and number and telling them to speak with their official :)
to get some more of Nicaragua and having a few kilometers more to ride, I made a little detour and wanted to reach Granada on a dirt road along the lake, but then when I crossed the first river, the local chief of police told me, that there are biiig mud holes and I will have a hard time to reach Granada.. too bad, thought it was all rocks and stones, not loose earth that becomes a swamp if it rains. The guy was really awesome.. helped me carrying my cargo over the river (unloaded the bike to cross), just to figure out on the other side, that I better turn around.. was then an extra 140km to take the other paved road, that I left despite of recommendations earlier. Well.. then in the end managed to arrive here in Granada. Probably going on a volcano today (because so nice weather) and doing repairs tomorrow.. might stay for another 2-3 nights here and then going to the island Ometepe and climb another volcano.. it´s fun!! :D
yes.. that´s probably most of it.. there are so many things that are not written down here, but still end up as being part of myself. All the people I met along the way, all the wonderful, inspiring conversations and blissful moments (when not freaked out by missing love :´( ..no worries, still a lot of pleasure in my life. It´s really nice if you have nothing to do but to be and to learn about the world. Everything is really cheap here, so I can go out and eat tasty or afford any other pleasure the world holds ;) you should check it out!!
Ok.. I´m off to see the area around.. hear soon from me! :)
I went to the "Black Hill", a volcano where you can run (or slide) down a sandy slope. Getting there I obviously used my bike and saved 23 dollars, having way more fun driving there, then changing my 50hp for 1 horse power and riding for 2km :) the guy had some BMW 650 experience and I galoped smiling past houses and families on the country side ;) after enjoying the nice view on the volcano I ran down in full speed (up: 25min, down:1.5min ;) and it happened that a short but strong rain started, so there were raindrops hitting the slope in a 90degree angle, what made a real good ambience for the thrilling way down :D
driving back to town was a bit more challenging by having different conditions after a bit of rain, but was still fun.. just sliding with the 200kg bike (and not dropping it once!! :D
spent time with friends in Leon and met some people from earlier on the trip. Was nice to say hello again! :) then I managed to get exiled from a hotel place.. long story.. stayed a night and needed more privacy, but still had friends and my bike there and the guy was, it´s OK you can be here but then behind my back advising people to kick me out and I just ignored this silly behaviour what brought it to the point where they didn´t like me too much anymore ;) but well.. it´s not too bad.. doesn´t mean to be exiled from a country ;)
after some other wild (and censored ;) adventures, I continued to Somoto, where I heard is a really nice canyon. On the way I stopped for a cheap and very tasty breakfast, having a deeply spiritual conversation with a 72 year old local man. It´s wunderful what set of mind some people have here!! :D
took then some dirt roads to Somoto (instead of going directly to Granada) and ended up taking a tour through the canyon with some local young guides. Normally I don´t like tours, but hearing about the development of their area, I really like to help them out with some money.. and you´d probably die doing it on your own ;) hehe :) I still felt kinda bad that they charged so few money.. I paid 10 bucks to go down this canyon.. swimming, climbing, jumping from a rock and another 10 to grapple three times from a 30-40m rock.. that was thrilling!! :D got better and better, but still not as in the movies ;) it´s a really beautiful peace of land, unfortunately not having pictures of it, because my battery died :P but there were 2 kids involved carrying the equipment forth and back and 2 other guides who came down with me the canyon, having a float with them to transport a dry box (with my dead cam ;P )
you have to go with feet first for not hitting rocks and at certain points you just lay on the back, see the steep walls, the blue sky above, clouds passing by and vultures making their circles. There are many wholes in the walls and bats fly close over the water, hunting insects. The area consists of two rivers flowing together and many beautiful hills, shining in fresh green, now as rain is falling over night (sometimes day ;) ..I heard, it started about 20 days ago and it´s waaaaay more beautiful than just having everything brownish dry. So from this aspect, being here in the rainy season isn´t all that bad.
I stayed then with a family, had simple but tasty food and learned about cultivating beans and rice and guess what, everything is just natural.. every egg, every single bean. Nothing has ever seen a can. It´s a very poor country, but people living mostly self sustaining and more natural than we city people do..
I went to bed early (what happened mostly in the last days.. also for having some inner issues to fix :-/ ) and the next morning we went riding, this time on top of the canyon, to three view points (miradores). The horse was just WONDERFUL!! well, at a certain point it tried to kick me, but missed or I was too quickly, so luckily it didn´t get me ;) but it was one of the most amazing horses I rode and if I wouldn´t have a bike, I think, I would have bought it!! :D haha! :D yes, we were running through these hills and stopped at some relativs place from the guide. They were working with a wooden plug and two oxes and I tried to manage that for a line, but it´s really hard work and the oxes have to be quite a bit animated.. otherwise they just stand around or run across the field ;)
so yes.. you out there.. if you like horses and want a special experience (maybe a future project of mine), come to Nicaragua, buy a really good horse for 300USD and a saddle for 100USD, put a fur of a sheep on top for being more comfi and then ride a month through Nicaragua on unpaved roads, through mountains, even into small towns and cities, because lots of people do here. everybody knows about horses and you get a vet in every small place, helping you out if it has to be. The country is very safe, people super friendly, food simple but good and for 2-4 weeks I could easily imagine to make an experience like that.. if I wouldn´t take off for diving on my next few holidays, then I would do the riding thing.. as I tried in Argentina ;) here it´s way more the place to do it! eventually you could even cross boarder to Costa Rica! :D yes.. this is another trip that I might do one day if I get bored over there.. just about my level of adventure ;)
then yesterday I had a super long day of riding.. first I managed to break both my mirrors off again (didn´t happen since Alaska) and some other stuff.. well, nothing that hasn´t fallen off already once on this trip, exept for the head light that is out of it´s socket.. will try to fix that here tomorrow in town. I don´t have a single scratch of it, thanks to my leather gloves (well, my palm hurts a bit from the impact, but really nothing to be worried about). It hurts a bit, because I know the adapter screw of the mirrors are 20 USD each and I probably have to see a dealership in Costa Rica, where it´s more expensive than in Colombia. Took then 50km to regain confidence in me and the bike and I´m happy the front fork isn´t bent, this would be a loooot of troubles!! so it was just one more experience and reminded me a bit to drive extra cautious, maybe applying some different technics on the road in the traffic.
then there was a police guy stopping me, telling me something about missing papers and fine and I was telling them that I paid for everything at the boarder and I don´t like to pay extra fine that is not necessary. Well, they let me go.. but you know, Panamericana.. the road where many bikers drive down and cops get some extra income. Hmmm.. let´s see how I handle it in the future. I´m not willed to pay, but might just ask for their boss in such a case.. because another tactic is not to speak spanish anymore or maybe just noting down their name and number and telling them to speak with their official :)
to get some more of Nicaragua and having a few kilometers more to ride, I made a little detour and wanted to reach Granada on a dirt road along the lake, but then when I crossed the first river, the local chief of police told me, that there are biiig mud holes and I will have a hard time to reach Granada.. too bad, thought it was all rocks and stones, not loose earth that becomes a swamp if it rains. The guy was really awesome.. helped me carrying my cargo over the river (unloaded the bike to cross), just to figure out on the other side, that I better turn around.. was then an extra 140km to take the other paved road, that I left despite of recommendations earlier. Well.. then in the end managed to arrive here in Granada. Probably going on a volcano today (because so nice weather) and doing repairs tomorrow.. might stay for another 2-3 nights here and then going to the island Ometepe and climb another volcano.. it´s fun!! :D
yes.. that´s probably most of it.. there are so many things that are not written down here, but still end up as being part of myself. All the people I met along the way, all the wonderful, inspiring conversations and blissful moments (when not freaked out by missing love :´( ..no worries, still a lot of pleasure in my life. It´s really nice if you have nothing to do but to be and to learn about the world. Everything is really cheap here, so I can go out and eat tasty or afford any other pleasure the world holds ;) you should check it out!!
Ok.. I´m off to see the area around.. hear soon from me! :)
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