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.
