Jumping In

 It's been a while since my last entry, I have a lot to say but right now, I'm processing. Processing a new language, new lifestyle, new culture, and trying to find a long term housing situation.

The Housing Situation:
 After 2 months we are still staying in the VRBO we originally landed in, only because there happened to be a cancellation and we were able to extend our stay. Finding a 3 bedroom house during  high season has been a challenge. There are few 3 bedroom homes in our area, those that are available are not always willing to rent long term because owners can rent out properties for $500 to thousands of dollars per night during the busy season so they would rather keep their homes empty in anticipation of getting top dollar during the holidays. Waiting does not seem to be in vain because almost all places are now booked. The ones that aren't, well... As a side note, there is a little bit of, shall we say, misrepresentation when it comes to properties around here so if you happen to know anyone that is familiar with the area you would do well to ask their opinion before booking. Our property was rated at 4 1/2 stars on VRBO unfortunately looks and reviews can be deceiving. By the standards we are used to we consider this a 2 1/2 to 3 star for numerous reasons. We would have moved sooner but alas, no other options.
  We have decided to head out out of town to a less tourist heavy area. Times like this it's nice to have very few possessions. we can pack up and move house in one day. Living the life of gypsies, has it's challenges but with challenge we learn so here's to getting smart.

Learning The Language:
  Although we practiced Spanish with Duo Lingo before we left, trying to learn a language when there is no one around you that speaks it proved to be fairly futile for us. It was far too easy to get caught up with work and day to day life back home. We were busy getting ready for a huge move and  spanish lessons, unfortunately, got put on the back burner. Being as we are we knew it would work best for us to throw ourselves into a situation where we could not make excuses. Full immersion. Learning has been tiring on the brain, and sometimes I don't even want to think about Spanish but I'm learning, and in two months I've come farther than I did in a year back in Canada.
 As a Canadian, I learned French as a second language in school. Initially when I would try to remember words in Spanish I would go straight to French, I found myself asking for 'Gateau' (french for cake) at a restaurant one evening only to be met with a look of confusion. Recently I have met a couple of french speaking people...I starting speaking some form of 'Franglish' with my limited spanish and french that only another french, english, spanish speaking person could understand. Somehow, I was understood, my husband looked on thoroughly entertained, then had the nerve to ask, "Why are you speaking English in that weird accent?" Speaking now feels like some sort of research project where I'm searching through old files in my brain hoping to piece together words that will form some kind of sentence.

  Through it all, we're making memories and we've got stories to tell. Learning hard and fast as we
                                                                        jump right in!

Laguna De Apoyo. A volcanic lake that is a must see if you plan to visit Nicaragua.

A Day In The Life: San Juan Del Sur

 San Juan Del Sur is a town where there is always something to do. We've been surprisingly busy since we got here, who knew setting up a whole different kind of life would be so much work? Thought I would share just a few of the things happening in town on a regular day.

  Every Saturday morning there is a farmer's market in town where one can buy fresh greens, health foods, home made baking, and the list goes on. Many expats attend in hopes of finding comfort foods from home that can be hard to find here in Nicaragua. Items like chocolate chip cookies and tarts go fast since desserts in Nicaragua are generally not what those of us from up north are used to.

Taking a walk down the street will find vendors selling fresh squeezed orange juice, coconut water (straight from the coconut), and cashews among other things.

 I think he was annoyed because I didn't want any cashews but the nuts made me nervous, I have to ask more questions before I buy nuts on the street. They're probably fine, I just don't know...

There are several coffee shops in town. This is El Gato Negro, they've got cappuccino, bagels, books, and more. Books are another item that can be difficult to find so this spot is another favourite among the expat community.

I will save the night life for a future post, I know there are some wondering about tourism prices etc. so I will try to write about that soon as well. 

Experiencing The Unknown: Hurricane Otto

 A few days ago we got some news, some slightly alarming news. We were about to experience a very rare event. A late rainy season hurricane had formed and was heading for the coasts of Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. As the storm approached it grew larger and more threatening. Unsure of what to expect we stocked up on supplies, prepared important items, and readied ourselves for what was to come. We had to be ready to possibly stay in and wait it out or move quickly in case of evacuation. 

As the storm grew closer we were happy to hear it had been downgraded to a tropical storm but still potentially damaging. We picked up some friends from low lying areas and headed to higher ground to wait it out. As we waited and texted our anxious families back home reports started to come in about a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that had occurred on the western side of El Salvador being felt in areas of Nicaragua. Tropical storm from the east, earthquake from the west. Within moments we were given warning that a tsunami was due to hit the west coast within 30 min. 

Tropical storm, earthquake, tsunami.

We were already in high ground so we opted to stay and hope for the best. I am not an un anxious person but there comes a time when anxiety becomes moot.We had prepared the best we could. Panicking, worry, or running amuck was not going to save anyone so we sat around the patio, listened to music, and cracked morbid jokes.

In the end the storm did minimal damage in Nicaragua and the tsunami passed us by.

                                    Repairs taking place on the beach in San Juan Del Sur.

Damage on the beach in San Juan Del Sur. 

While we were happy to escape tragedy this time we are deeply saddened by the loss of life in Panama and Costa Rica.

We Took A Trip Down The 101

 Why did we fly to Seattle upon leaving Canada? We had to see the Pacific coast one more time, while we had no fixed schedule and no need to rush. My husband and I had taken this trip when we were first married, no kids and no obligations. We didn't have a lot of cash so we did it on the cheap. We drove until we felt like stopping and stayed in the cheapest road side hotels we could find.

 At one particular hotel, we wanted to rest up and take a hot bath at the end of the day. I turned on the tap and attempted to adjust the temperature, it seems I did something wrong because, not only did the water not warm up, the whole faucet blew off the wall with gusto shooting a wide stream of freezing cold water across the room. After frantically trying to shove the tap back on to the wall, against the water pressure (I'm not really good in high pressure situations), and running wildly outside to find our host. We demanded our money back and headed for our next destination, laughing in the aftermath.

 That trip was a great trip and we wanted to share it with our kids. Our first stop was Seattle, which wasn't my favourite. I loved that there was so much diversity in the city, and there was plenty to do but big cities just aren't for me. The steep hills in crazy traffic made me feel like I was on a scary ride at the fair. I do not like scary rides.

 Our next stop after we rented a car was Long Beach, Washington. I had wanted to return to this town because the beach was, as they say, long. You can drive your car on the beach and it is really the first beautiful view of the ocean after driving through the woods of Washington. The town is a little more decrepit than it was on our first visit but still worth a stop, if only to stretch your legs after driving and get in touch with the sea. I will post more towns worth a visit in further posts.

We are getting ready for the effects of Hurricane Otto here in Nicaragua so may be without internet for a little while. Will be sharing our story after we weather the storm.

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How We Got Here

Minimize, minimize, minimize...

 As North Americans, we are a consuming society. Wardrobes are updated seasonally, if not monthly, or weekly. There is always a new tool available to make life easier. A new barbecue, sporting goods, pots and pans. We need them, or do we?
 My family and I never stay in one place for long so you wouldn't think we would have collected so much crap, however, every time we move, we bring said 'crap' along with us. When we can't find an item (because it's buried under all the crap) we just buy a new one, and so the cycle continues.
 Deciding to change how we lived, along with where we lived was no small effort. Simplifying takes time, it is not a 'simple' process. Over the course of a couple of years we starting making changes. We donated, gave away, or sold items that were not necessities. Made any repairs that were needed to items in order to sell, and pushed forward with our plans. I can be a bit sentimental so the hardest part, for me, was giving up items that had meaning or memories attached. I kept a few items, of course, but I had to view things realistically. If I'm keeping an item in a box and haven''t looked at it for years, do I really need to keep it?

             Instead of saving memories in a box, kept unseen for years, we plan to make memories to be
                           experienced and fondly discussed. Perhaps around a fire, on the beach.

Look for tips on minimizing all the crap in a future post. 

From Whence I Came.

  My early years were spent in small town Saskatchewan, Canada. From there, together with my family, I moved to Southern, Alberta. We didn't do a lot of traveling when I was young but after one trip to British Columbia, I fell in love with the ocean. That place, where the water meets the sand, feels like home.

  A couple of years ago, my husband and I decided that we were tired of the rat race and made plans to simplify our life so that we could spend more time on what was important to us. We sold our business, home, vehicles, and furniture, and started our travels. With our two children and one grumpy cat in tow, we boarded a plane for Seattle, Washington. We each brought one large checked bag, a carry on bag, and our backpacks. 

 I've started this blog to keep family and friends up to date and to share some adventures. I'm not sure where I'm going with this but, if I'm honest, that's kind of how I roll.

The Alberta skies we left behind.

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