Up early, packed, my big backpack stored, I headed of to the bus station. It would be my final bus experience this trip. A taxi stopped, much easier than walking in the heat. The bus was about ready to leave. I told them where I was going and got a seat!
Smooth! Maybe two other tourists on the bus. The ayudante (helper) asked me where I was going. I told him what the lodge told me and he repliec, “Mombacho, Yes”. He knew and as we approached, it got me ready to depart. Off the bus, I was swarmed by TukTuk drivers! They wouldn’t take no for an answer. So I ignored them, focused on highway traffic, and walked to where Nicolas was waiting for me!
It was an auspicious beginning to my two days there. He showed me my bungalow and asked for my passport! I put down my pack and left to follow him. I took one step down the stairs, the wood collapsed, I fell through and scraped up my leg and knee pretty good!
Everything happens for a reason! It was up to me to be at peace and make the most of my time there!
Unable to hike, I spent a lot of time in the local trees taking photos. I likely have over 200 photos trying to get a photo of the hummingbirds here. A couple came out marginally well. It was good for me to rest up!
See the photo at left where their top board is intact. That board broke! Termites underneath, not visible. Over a week ago, I had a great massage that really helped my back and legs. Before leaving, I booked another one for today. Carmen was great! And since the fall only happened two days ago, the tension and tightness released pretty quickly. I left walking with much less pain than I had going there!
When I got my credit card ready to check out this morning, Nicolas said that because of my accident, he was only charging me for food. A very kind and generous offer!
Hammock Story
When I first arrivedin Granada and went looking for a coffee shop I stumbled upon Uncle Tio’s hammocks. It’s the one employing blind and deaf and others with some sort of disability. I picked out colors and had him make a custom hammock for me…wide and long enough. It was ready five days later.
After picking it up, I kept having an image floating through my mind of a pistachio colored hammock! I’s used one when at La Sombra. Even after I got mine packed, I kept seeing the image of a pistachio hammock. I set about finding one! Dead end after dead end! I wrote to Hector but they didn’t have any nor ws there time to make one for me before I leave! I started looking at local markets, here and in Managua. None here. The village of Masaya is between here and Managua and they make hammocks! The hostel in Managua suggested a market there might have hammocks. It was a 30 minute taxi ride.
Suddenly, I realized I was pushing it and it simply wasn’t falling into place! So I stopped! I imagined the hammock, imagined myself layinging in it and feeling its comfort, then let it go. If It was meant to happen, something natural and organic would plop it into my lap. So I forgot about it and let go of any energy of searching!
After my massage, I stopped by Gaia Cafe! I’d read that they had good coffee. After the massge, I didn’t want coffee so ordered frech lemonade ad a cinnamon roll. Once finished, I noticed shelved in front with different products. Some were sprays and lotions and insect repellant. Across the room ws a display of “Negra” (black) pottery. I walked over to look and noticed a rack of hammocks hanging there. Guess what color was hanging on the end!?!?!?
Having learned a lot from Hector, I was cautious about buying something that was not great quality! It was the same price as the one from Hector. The staff pointed me to a small shop at the side of their cafe! The young woman was very helpful. I brought the hammock over to make sure it was wide and long enough. Then she told me it was made right there in Granada, at Uncle Tio’s, which is Hectors shop. It was made by his crew and the perfect color!
I walked it to his store because he has a very creative way of wrapping up the hammock with paper and plastic thus reducing it’s bulk by a LOT. He did that for me. Now, I needed a bag to carry both of them onto the plane!
I walked through the market and found a thrift sort of store. They had a bag that would almost perfectly fit my two hammocks complete with shoulder straps for $10. Perfect! Once I let go, stopped trying to make it happen, things fell into place perfectly and organically. All I had to do was listen!!
The hammock above was at La Sombra. It was on the empty top floor which became my favorite perch! I couldn’t get that color and the feeling of it out of my head!
This is the hammock I found this afternoon! Almost identical color! The photo makes it look whiter than it really is! Now, it’s safely bundled inside my new bag!
Winding down!
It seems like I have just gotten into a great travel groove and it’s time to head back home! Tomorrow, I take a shuttle to Managua in the afternoon. I have two nights there to explore. Thursday around 4:30 am, I’ll be heading for the airport. With the time change, that is 3:30 am.
I am looking forward to the cool! And to playing with coffee! I have some new coffee tools ordered or already at my home. I’m bringing home some coffee from here to play with. And I have several thousand photos to sort through and prioritize. Coffee and working on photos. That will work!
Cheers!
Some images from Mombacho!
Travel blog question!?
I’m debating continuing my blog when I travel?? Renewing it has more than doubled in price. I only use it a couple times a year and, many people only tune into social media to see updates.
I’m debating and will check things out when I get home.
Your thoughs!?
I love the blog, as I don’t have to join a social media site, and I can turn to it anytime and immerse myself in your adventures. But if the price has doubled, that is certainly a factor. I could view Facebook postings or get Instagram or whatever site you might use.
Don’t forget to pick up a pistachio green hammock for yours truly!