Nicaragua Photography transportation travel

Local Flavour Walking By

As we settle into our new home in the far outskirts of San Juan del Sur, the peace and beauty are fantastic. Relaxing by the pool enjoying the view is wonderful. The view street side is a little more subdued though than what we have been used to.

The steepness of the streets are the primary entertainment on the roads here.
The steepness of the streets are the primary entertainment on the roads here.

I have to admit I do miss the endless parade of tourists and locals that passed by below our balcony when we were living iin the townsite of San Juan del Sur. The non stop offers from the pedlars for everything from avocados, sea food, chairs, coconut water, sunglasses (weed), or pots to name a few kept you engaged no matter what.

These two gentlemen were some of the dozens that would pass by everyday.
These two gentlemen were some of the dozens that would pass by everyday.

I had mentioned previously about the festival we were fortunate enough to enjoy from our condo. It is still one of my favourite sights of our stay there.

The band slides in behind the Virgin as the parade begins.
The band slides in behind the Virgin as the parade begins. With the ever present firefighters. The world over you can count on the firefighters showing up for the parades.
Near the end of the parade after they had moved the Virgin to a fishing vessel.
Near the end of the parade after they had moved the Virgin to a fishing vessel.

Transportation options were another area we were privileged to get a glimpse of.

Frequently throughout the day a "chicken bus" would roll through town to provide budget minded transport to the surrounding cities.
Frequently throughout the day a “chicken bus” would roll through town to provide budget minded transport to the surrounding cities.
Rickshaws were available for shorter trips.
Rickshaws were available for shorter trips.

And my all time favourite was the motorcycle transportation. Not as wild as Asia, but certainly beyond anything you would see in North America. The economy of being able to transport your entire family plus baggage on a 125cc bike cannot be over looked.

Yes, they are holding and eating ice cream cones.
Yes, they are holding and eating ice cream cones.
Farmer bring goods to town for sale.
Farmer bring goods to town for sale on his ox cart.

We also had the opportunity to observe the Municipal employees at work. San Juan del Sur is one of the cleanest cities I have seen in Central America. The garbage is picked up everyday, sometimes twice a day. This includes men tidying up the beach every morning.

These guys were not fast, but they did a good job of keeping the beach looking pretty darn good.
These guys were not fast, but they did a good job of keeping the beach looking pretty darn good.

And of course the local Constabulary would show up at fairly regular intervals.

We would see the Tourist Police frequently.
We would see the Tourist Police frequently.
Police motorcycle parked while its' two riders patrolled the beach.
Police motorcycle parked while its’ two riders patrolled the beach.

The sight that made me really pause was the armed ice cream delivery. About once every week or two the ice cream delivery truck for the store across the street from us would have a shotgun toting guard to help with deliveries. Different priorities in different countries I guess.

Armed guard lending a hand unloading the ice cream supplies.
Armed guard lending a hand unloading the ice cream supplies.

It was a normal sight to see local gringos out walking their dogs on the beach (the beach is an off leash area). This lady just took it to the next level with her menagerie.

This lady was by nearly ever day dragging her collection of dogs behind her and carrying a parrot on her arm, yes, a parrot.
This lady was by nearly ever day dragging her collection of dogs behind her and carrying a parrot on her arm, yes, a parrot.

Speaking of birds. The wild parrots that hung out in the trees and utilities on main street were beautiful to watch.

The guests we always looked forward to seeing.
The guests we always looked forward to seeing.

All in, living in the middle of San Juan del Sur was an awesome experience. The bar, “The Black Whale” was a bit loud 6 nights a week (thank goodness for Mondays) but overall, we tip a glass and say thank you.

Despite the noisy bar and pesky pedlars we truly miss main street San Juan del Sur.
Despite the noisy bar and pesky pedlars we truly miss main street San Juan del Sur.

We are looking forward to the next couple of months enjoying the quieter country living just outside of town.

Don't feel too bad for us though. We are adapting just fine.
Don’t feel too bad for us though. We are adapting just fine.

Welcome to our travel blog. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to say, "I'm out of here?" Well we did, and in 2013 we made it a reality. We sold or gave away all of our possessions other than what fit in our luggage and we set off on an endless adventure. Part of our goal is to share our experiences with others and hopefully provide some information, motivation, or just a moments escape. The general idea was to look for a place that would be ideal to settle down in. However in the meantime it is about experiencing life in different countries amongst different cultures and learning how to understand and appreciate each other. A large part of our time is spent housesitting which provides an excellent opportunity to experience more of the "normal" neighbourhoods as opposed to the tourist locales. Though we make sure to enjoy those as well. So through plenty of photographs and a running commentary come and share with us our life on the road.

4 comments on “Local Flavour Walking By

  1. Your Sista

    Thank you for a great trip through the townsite. I just love the photos! Feel like I have been there.

  2. Adams, Dianna

    I know you saw the snow – our golf tournament is tomorrow……. ok next week now – betty really misses you

  3. Appears it is a universal thing, FF’s and parades.
    Looks like you two are settling in just fine! No sympathy here.

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