A day at the Laguna

Wow! What a day. Our second full day of Spanish class went wonderfully at Casa Xalteva. The school organized an afternoon trip out to Laguna de Apoyo and we were very glad to go along. Laguna de Apoyo is a lake set in the crater of an ancient volcano (now defunct).

We spent our day at a colonial-style home called "La Orquide" (The Orchid). The new owner of La Orquide (www.laorquideanicaragua.com) is Mike and he is in Heidi and Emily's Spanish class. This guy's story is amazing. He is 26 years old and made some "really good investments" back in the states. He is now semi-retired (at 26!) and has bought this hostel, which is an absolutely amazing place. He has a traditional Spanish home in which he lives, and he has a guest house that he rents out for about $100 bucks a night - for the whole house. This is a world-class place with amazing views in a beautiful setting. Honestly, had it been for sale when I saw it I may have tried to buy it myself. I have no idea how I would go about living in Nicaragua, but this place would have made me want to find a way.


We swam in the Laguna and enjoyed the company of our fellow students. It was a great way to cool off and relax for the afternoon. Imagine Isla Sorna from Jurassic Park 2 and you will have a good idea of our surroundings. Sadly, we did eventually have to leave. But this was a perfect way to see the natural beauty of Nicaragua. Here is a picture of the group at the house just before we left.


By the time we arrived back in Granada, it was time to eat. We ate at a street vendor, who gave us heaping portions of pollo asado y carne asada con gallo pinto (chicken and beef with rice and beans) along with fried bananas (both sweet and not sweet). It was more food than any one person would need, although Lance had no trouble finishing his and some of Heidi's. (It's a good thing we walk everywhere.) Honestly, this was the best food we have eaten so far and we paid a total of four dollars or so for all three of us. Que delicioso!

We are making plans for the weekend and there is so much to see and do - zip line tours through the rain forest, shopping at the craft market in Masaya and seeing so much more of Granada.

It's time to close up for the night. More to come tomorrow!

Love and Peace,
Lance, Heidi and Emily

P.S. We learned that it is winter here right now (or possibly late fall). But that has very little meaning. It must be in the mid 90's every day with humidity in the 90% range. And the only place we visited with air conditioning was the ATM lobby of the bank, which we were not allowed to stay in very long despite our desire. So...think cool thoughts for us.