mucho caliente

I wanted to go somewhere warm for spring break, and I jumped off the plane into 96 degree weather.

Nicaragua, at least the capital Managua, reminds me much of Southeast Asia. As Leslie noted, it is probably the “developing nation” atmosphere created by dirt roads, old school buses modified to be city buses, gated cement houses, peeling paint on buildings, horse-drawn fruit vendors, and a lack of flashy commercial restaurants. The city center was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1970’s, and urban sprawl in all directions replaced it. Managua when seen from atop the hill with the remains of the old dictator’s mansion is so low that the houses are hidden by trees, and you can follow the gently rolling hills with your eyes.

The exchange rate is 18 cordobas to 1 dollar. A 10 minute cab ride is 30 cordobas, lunch for two is 75 cordobas, and a ride on the bus is 2.5 cordobas.

Spanish I’ve learned today:
mucho caliente = very hot
quanto tiempo = how long (time)
adios = hello, when you meet someone on the street