Salsa Class

We finally caught ourselves on video! It was primarily because this time we brought V with us for 2 reasons: the Salsa schedule happened to be on T's birthday (we thought we should all be together and go out for a family dinner afterwards) and V wants to see how our lessons are going because he himself will be dancing Salsa during their year-end program in school.

So V filmed us and took some pictures. We normally average between 7 to 10 couples or roughly 20 people but yesterday, quite a few were out of the country or are busy with other things, so we had plenty of space.

Seeing a video of us made me realize how true M's (our instructor) words are: exaggerate, exaggerate, exaggerate! We (I believe I can speak for everyone) thought (felt) we were moving hard and really swinging but as the video proves....NOT.

Arabian Night

T & I attended a party last night with an Arabian theme. Everyone brought Middle Eastern cuisine - as authentic as we can make them given the ingredients we can get our hands on. Our hosts S & B provided an authentic atmosphere that really made the night Arabian.

Since we received the invitation, I have wracked my brains on what T & I are going to wear. There are places here where you can rent or buy costumes, while renting runs between $20 - 30, buying them costs of course a lot more depending on how intricate it is and we know how intricate women's Arabian costumes can get. An example would be S' top which she found at a shop in Metrocentro that cost $40. It's supposed to be a set but they sell the bottom separately for another $40. Since I need a new costume anyway (I have a leopard costume that I have been using year after year, for the last 7 years - it's about time.), I thought I should buy one or try to have one made. I found out that between the 'tela', the 'shing-a-lings' (you know - the shiny dangling stuff - for lack of a better name) and the labor, I'd end up shelling out more than $50 or so. Well, not bad compared to $80.

I vaguely remembered having seen something in Mercado Oriental when I was there last with A but wasn't sure if they still had it or if it's feasible, so off I went with S to check it out - Mercado Oriental is always worth checking out! Voila....for $ 20 problem solved. For T, I bought 4 yards (width: 60) of gauze like cotton material for a total of $6, cut a whole in the middle and tied it with a belt. The turban was borrowed from B and is authentic from India (about 10 meters...just for that whew).

M brought belly dancing music to complete the atmosphere. Everyone (and I mean every single one) came in well thought of costumes that made it all the more festive. It was a great evening.

Have you ever been to a costume party where you bothered to come in costume but ended up looking ridiculous because quite a few did not bother to dress up....I have....many times.

We've really met some great people here.

How was the Aventura concert?

Don't ask me, we never managed to see it!

3:00 pm Friday, I was already on the phone with T reminding him to come home early so we can go out and grab an early dinner before watching the concert. 2 days before that I went to Music and More in Metro Centro to buy the tickets for the concert. I bought the VIP tickets ($C 450.00) thinking that it would be very crowded in general admission ($C 250) and since we don't plan to drink alcohol that night (except for a couple of beers maybe) really didn't need to have Platinum ($40.00) either.

The concert was supposed to start at 8:00 pm but we were advised to be there at least an hour before because of parking. It was held in an empty parking lot (dirt floor) with chicken wire (a bit thicker) to separate the 3 groups with Platinum being in front - chicken wire fence - VIP - chicken wire fence - general admission.

We got there a little before 7:00 pm and after parking the car a block away we were surprised to find out that despite having bought the tickets in advance, we still have to queue to get in. I know, I know...of course we have to queue but not in a 300 meter line. There were 3 of these lines for VIP alone, 1 for general admission and 1 for platinum. We immediately realized that we would have been better off buying the general admission tickets as not only were there less people (apparently the most ticket printed was VIP - it at least looked that way), the parking lot being not that big and with the stage elevated, not only would we not have felt the difference but we would actually be closer to the exit / entrance gates in case there's a stampede.

The lot was definitely packing more people than it can accommodate. We can see that already from outside, still we forged on excited and determined to enjoy the night. We were prepared for this. We were in jeans, t-shirt and rubber shoes and no bags, no camera, only some cash, cell phones and the tickets...all in the front pockets of our jeans.

After queuing for more than an hour and about 3 meters from the gate, we experienced a surge of people trying to cut in line. As cutting in line is fairly common here (check-out counters, ATMs, etc), we have many times politely told those who try to cut-in in front of us to please go back to the end of the line. I can't tell you how many have tried during the course of the hour but the worst was when we were finally near the gate. V was sandwiched between T and myself with T leading our line and had the tickets in his hands. When the surge started, he put them in his back pocket, but still with his hand over them, afraid that someone might just snatch them. All of a sudden some guys became aggressive and started pushing T and for the split-second he took his hand away from his pocket to parry the bodies ramming him, our tickets were pick-pocketed.

T almost got into a fight because he thought he knew who exactly among those aggressively pushing took the tickets. I pulled him away from the crazy crowd before it got worse. T, normally a patient man, was reacting to the situation. Dejectedly, we walked back to the car while V cried. T being so frustrated, offered to buy us tickets from a scalper for 3 times its price. I firmly said no. I understand that we really wanted to see this concert but with the type of crowd and our mood, I didn't think it was safe anymore.

Tonight, I told my gf A about it and funny enough they too have a story to share. One of their friends actually managed to get in to see the concert with his girlfriend but lost his wallet (credit cards, driver's license, etc) and his cellphone in the process. He even made sure they were in his front pockets.

His problems started when at some point in the concert people started to scale and or tear down the makeshift fence in between the areas and started to throw things at the guards when they tried stop them. It became apparently chaotic. He was more vigilant about a stampede and was paying more attention to the tiny exit gate and logistics rather his own stuff. When the surge reached them...he was a sitting duck.

This reminds me of Manna's concert here in Managua last year that we were not able to attend, where we also bought tickets - you guessed it...VIP. We got confused with our social calendar and said yes to a sit down dinner on concert night. We thought we can still catch it later in the evening, but as dinners go...it was hard to leave, so we missed it. From those who attended, we also heard of people losing their wallets and cellphones and like the Aventura concert, was not well organized.

I have decided to not attend concerts here anymore- at least the outdoor ones - I don't think they're worth the aggravation. As far as logistics and security is concerned....they are stampedes waiting to happen.

Sailing Bruce with the Kjaerbys

Okey bear with me in this one as the primary characters (husband and wife) have the same initials. C (hubby) works with a Danish NGO while C (spouse) is a very talented singer with a thriving singing career (known and popular in her country as far as I understand) back in Peru. Theirs is a really interesting love story...one that can make you go ooohhh and aaahhh (sigh). She left fame behind to be with her husband and support him in his work. A beautiful person and a wonderful cook (I seem to be the only spouse lacking in this department). Both are as I have gleaned, wonderful parents as evidenced by their sweet, well-mannered and well-grounded children.

As for C (hubby), aside from his family and his job, his other great passion is his sail boat called 'Bruce'. Bruce also has a story behind it.

K cleaning Bruce

It probably happened about 15 years ago, when C was in his early 20s, after university or a bit after (like any viking) itched to see the world (T did the same). So, this young Dane backpacked with his good buddy. While in the Caribbean, they traveled in Kayaks when they can. At that very moment, a certain American named Bruce was at the same time sailing from one Caribbean island to another and kept hearing about these 2 crazy Danes kayaking their way through the Caribbean and almost always comes to port even before him and his boat.

With his curiosity piqued, Bruce decided to seek them out. Found them, he did and the rest is history. It was Bruce that introduced sailing to C or C to sailing, whatever, but that's when C realized his passion for sailing. Bruce taught him everything about sailing and for that C is forever grateful to Bruce. Bruce's dream is to cross the Atlantic but many things prevented him from fulfilling his dream. Age and health are just some of them. In honor of his mentor, C named his boat Bruce and crossed the Atlantic with it. At the end, 'Bruce' did manage to cross the Atlantic. Bruce at the moment is terminally ill but have tremendously enjoyed C's story of crossing the Atlantic. I was almost in tears when T told me the story.

On this trip, I was already thrilled to be on the boat and never expected C to let me help sail it, let alone navigate it. C is a good captain if you ask me as he knew exactly how to make us work and gave explicit instructions that even I was able to follow.

T & C preparing Bruce

We went towards the mangroves which was a relief to me as I cannot imagine sailing on the open sea...yet. We always get good wind here in Nicaragua but coming back was, although a struggle, exciting as the wind blew against us. We had to zigzag and just before crashing on the mangroves at 3 - 6 feet depth, needed to change the direction of the sail fast. We must have done it at least 20 times before we could dock. We ran aground once, causing me to fly across the boat (well almost across the length of the boat - okay, a bit of exaggeration for dramatic effect) that made it all the more exciting. Now, not only can I walk around proudly with blistered hands but I also have a chafed thigh and bruised knee to show for it. That's should make it more believable (did I say it was my first time to sail?) - right, like anyone who knows me would really believe it.

I admire C (spouse) most as she was making lunch at that very moment, boiling sauce and all. Experts, that's what they are.

Cand V working the sails on our way out and me taking over from V after awhile.

After that, C & I worked the sail until we docked...the men thought it was funny and although smiling (photo op, after all), we thought it was hard and painful. I can't say I loved it but I had fun and don't mind doing it again.

I really surprised T with the way I worked the sail. In Denmark, when I have to do hard manual labor I always whine about what it's gonna do to my palms. Palms that are like a baby's a*s, I like to say...inviting a fast retort from T about them being more like a gorilla baby's a*s maybe (chuckle), or the first animal that comes to mind. So, it doesn't work.

This morning, I of course woke up with sore biceps. I was ready for that...I knew that's how rarely used muscles feel once they've been put to work.

This may not sound much to some but this goes in my bucket list anyway because I don't know if I'm gonna do it again but if I do, I'd be sure to have gloves with me.

Hmmm, notice how I have been cheating by working on my bucket list backwards?

Marina Puesta del Sol

This weekend we were invited by a Danish-Peruvian couple, K & C to sail - well they sent out an email asking their circle of friends if there's any who wants to go sailing with them or just escape Managua for the weekend. We didn't plan to go because we received the email late afternoon Friday and thought we'd be too exhausted from the Aventura concert to drive 2 1/2 hours to where the boat is. But as our concert plans went awry (that story would follow soon after) the last minute, we decided to go. We're glad we did.

I have heard good things about Marina Puesta del Sol where 'Bruce' is docked but have never been there.

Marina Puesta del Sol is a resort with a full service Marina. For boats, they have a monthly / weekly rate per square foot for full service boat slip rentals that include comprehensive maintenance and security. I don't know anything about boats let alone sailing, so I may not get the terms right but I think the enthusiasts would know what I mean (wink).

The resort itself is beautiful and very 'tranquilo'. Our room had the view of the Marina on the lake that could either take you to the mangroves or the open sea depending which direction you go - all 20 rooms, I found out later, actually have this view. The room we got was the junior suite A or B (no difference really, just not sure which one it was). It was the cheapest at $168 plus sales tax (15%) per night and was just perfect for the 3 of us. It had a big double bed, a sofa bed, fully air conditioned with a big bathroom, big balcony, coffee maker and fridge. The room rates also include breakfast (a la carte). It is best to go if you know someone who has a boat docked at the marina as you will get an additional 20% discount on room price as courtesy to boat owners' guests.

Not bad for its price. Although there are many beautiful places to visit here in Nicaragua, the resorts are generally expensive (I think) for the amenities and services you get out of it. I'll cite some places we've been to in a later post for comparison. I therefore find this place reasonable. On the other side of the resort, about a minute's ride (a service the hotel offers for free) - just crossing the property, really - is a private beach with a clubhouse that serve drinks. One of the more beautiful beaches on the Pacific side of the country we've been to with smooth sand and moderate waves.

It really is a beautiful place. I'm sure the drive could have been shorter if not for the big trucks that uses the same highway which I suspect are either on their way to Corinto, the town where Nicaragua has its biggest harbor port or are going over the border to Honduras. Except for the 10 km or so of dirt road before entering the resort, the highway looked fairly new and very smooth. It was all in all a very pleasant, cozy and fun trip.

Edit: I just realized that I'm not really sure if the room price is before or after tax. Best you visit the link, if interested.