Creole ...Coconuts... Crabs ...Cocaine -Welcome to Little Corn

What a wicked trip. Flying over Nicaragua you watch the flat, dry landscape transform into lush tropical forest and then fall into the Caribbean Sea. A short 15 minute plane ride off the coast (or a few fun hours on a boat) and Big Corn appears. Not many tourists stay on Big Corn, the reason...Little Corn is just so much better, and only half an hour away.
Upon arrival at Little Corn the passenger boat is greeted by the most enthusatic tour guide I´ve ever met. His name is Denis. More about Denis to follow.
I met up with a couple from Holland/Isreal and we decided to stay at the same ´resort´. My hut on the beach was $5/ night and relatively comfy, mozzie net included. I was also frequently visited by the millions of crabs that burrow in the sands outside.
On the second day there I went for a walk on the beach and was followed by a local guy who was very persistent. He claims to be ´studying singing´and so I was sung too, he was actully pretty good. After more interogation I found out that he, like all other habitants of Little Corn, is in the drug ´shuffling´business. And had enough money tucked away to take a trip for a year, or spend it on a dreadlocked Canadian girl...you get the point. So, I told him it was my bday the next day and he planned to get me something nice. Right.
On my birthday I started the openwater diver course, along with Annelies (my Danish friend). We went out in the afternoon on our first ever dive and got to see sharks. That´s right folks, I spent my 19th bday scubadiving with sharks! It was amazing.
The next day Raphel and Fred showed up on the island. They plan to stay there for a month, crazy Quebecois!
My least favourite day of the week was likely Friday when I was accompanied by both Denis and Daril (the singing drug dealer.) I was innocently reading my book when Denis showed up and 5 minutes later innocently talking to him when Daril showed up. Long story short then were not only fighting over me but the flames of jealousy were hot. I briefly excused myself, ran over to visit Raf and Fred for advice, returned to say goodnight and went to bed.
The next morning we went diving. Between dives we docked and low and behold who was at the beach by my hut? Both boys of course. I ignored them.
The rest of the week passed relatively lazily and problem free. The lifestyle on Little Corn is truly unique so when the Century 21 team showed up on Sunday you can imagine what a lot of the islanders were thinking. I hope they leave it alone.
I flew out on Monday, spent the night in Managua and am now in El Salvador. I am supposed to be surfing ..or attempting, but somehow I keep getting distracted. I will this afternoon.


One more thing about the Corn Islands, over half the population there has the last name Carlson, or is a decendent from. Otto Carlson, the Swedish sailor, jumped ship and decided to stay there. Sounds mighty familiar to Olli Carlson the Swedish sailor who jumped in Canada...so, I met a ton of long lost cousins, it was nice.

Corny Birthday

I´m off to the Corn Islands tomorrow afternoon. For those of you who don´t know where that is, it´s in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Nicaragua.
I will take lots of pictures so that when I return to Canada you can all see how spoiled I really am!

besos!

from the land of Ticas to the world of Nicas

I left Costa Rica on ....4 nights ago and got to Popoyo, a small surfing village in Nicaragua. I met some really cool guys we chilled there and partied with the locals as well as the other (including many a drunken Canadian) travelers. We bunked at Tica 2, a cozy place with a bar and resturant, where I ate some of the best resturant food thus far. The owners and employees were all so excitable and loved letting you run up a tab. Wednesday night (wednesday because Josh from Barrie told him that in Canada we party on Wednesdays) Alfonso (the owner) set up his system, and we`re talking system, it was huge and the noise was almost unbearable, so we danced and danced and danced. I was so lucky as to be accompanied by a 8yr old local boy as well as Eddi, the 15 yr old who spends his summer surfing and waiting on partying gringos. Good times at Tica 2.
A couple french canadian pickers were there too, and get this, one has worked at MY HOUSE. There we are in the middle of nowhere, Nicaragua, and there´s a guy who has not only been to Summerland but has sorted cherries (for Danniger eh Claire) and remembers it. He and his buddy live in Oliver, they might just show up this season.
So, after chilling in Popoya for 4 nights I (along with two guys from the Island and Josh) managed to snag a ride into town with an American guy who works for Century 21 out in the boonies (meaning that its all gonna be bought and sold to rich gringos in the next few years..) So he dropped us off near the terminal, which was full of ancient Canadian and American school buses, now used as the main means of transport in Nicaragua, where I was whisked onto a bus. A few people said..yeah this is the one for Granada..and a few said, no silly Canadian girl don´t come on this one it`s going to Managua. Luckily for me there was a very nice lady who was headed to Granada and was on the bus so I sat with her. After about an hour we hopped off at the junction and ran down the road to catch the bus to Granada, it was so kindly waiting for us. So, about half an hour ago I arrived in Granada, we got off school bus numero dos and hailed a taxi. So, my new Nica friend, Vilma, basically held my hand from Rivas to the front door of the hostel. I definatly didn`t expect it but was so greatful to have the help and experience sincere kindness. Now I´m hungry and must go explore.

Peace

Quebradas and Fudebiol

I went to Fudiebol yesterday and saw the work that we did 3 years ago. It was really neat to see the field all grassy as well as our ´bleachers´. There was alot more work done since we were there but I must say, the first 2 terraces of the hillside were definatly the best ones!

I have spent 2 nights with my Costa Rican family and will spend one more before heading back to San Jose in the morning. Then...I´m going to Nicaragua and hopefully will be able to take a couple surf lessons!

xoxox