GM's thread about nothing (32 Viewers)

[krista4]

Uruk-Bill, looks like charvik took care of your travel questions. Nicaragua doesn't have any special procedures that are different than most anywhere else, so as he said you'll just do your passport, etc. in DC and simply change planes in Houston. That's a pretty tight connection but generally doable unless you have a delay on your first flight. Managua immigration is a breeze, and the airport is very small (but modern) and managable. Remember to have a nice crisp $10 for immigration as your entry fee. After you go through immigration, you'll have to put your carry-ons on an x-ray belt before leaving the airport. No big deal. Julio will be there waiting!

Actually that reminds me, if you're taking cash with you, Nicaragua is one of those countries where the bills have to be pristine. People generally will not accept bills with marks, tears, etc.

Coming back will be just like any other flight, other than picking up your luggage and re-checking it in Houston. Yes, I realize you said you were not checking any bags, but once you see how cheaply you can score Flor de Cana rum down there, you will want to check a bag.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

New Orleans is a little too....dangerousy for me.

you're pretty worried about crime, huh? bad experience?

Yeah, kinda. Sorry, didn't know I was belaboring that point.

hell beat out of you and left in a ditch. correct?

And took my damn shoes off too....that was the worst. It was a few days after Xmas and it was freaking COLD. Stole my jacket, watch, wallet, belt, shoes...SHOES! I had to take my button down shirt off, wrap it over my head to stop the bleeding and hobble in socks to the first trailer I could find...which was saturated by junk yard dogs who started to chase me! Scared the hell out of the lady who finally opened a door for me. Bloody, skinny, barefoot, white guy with a bunch of strange dogs barking at him in the middle of the night "hey, can I use your phone please"?

Brutal

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Uruk-Bill, looks like charvik took care of your travel questions. Nicaragua doesn't have any special procedures that are different than most anywhere else, so as he said you'll just do your passport, etc. in DC and simply change planes in Houston. That's a pretty tight connection but generally doable unless you have a delay on your first flight. Managua immigration is a breeze, and the airport is very small (but modern) and managable. Remember to have a nice crisp $10 for immigration as your entry fee. After you go through immigration, you'll have to put your carry-ons on an x-ray belt before leaving the airport. No big deal. Julio will be there waiting!Actually that reminds me, if you're taking cash with you, Nicaragua is one of those countries where the bills have to be pristine. People generally will not accept bills with marks, tears, etc.Coming back will be just like any other flight, other than picking up your luggage and re-checking it in Houston. Yes, I realize you said you were not checking any bags, but once you see how cheaply you can score Flor de Cana rum down there, you will want to check a bag.

Thanks. You and charvik have made me feel better. I get nervous at the unknown and you both have settled that a good bit.I'm not taking a ####-load of cash with me; based on one of the reviews you got, ATMs are close if I need one. Stupid-Uruk-ATM-Story: was in Mexico and thought I might be trending towards being short by the time I left so I used an ATM. Like a complete idiot, I thought I was withdrawing dollars instead of pesos. I ended up getting something like $2 worth of pesos with a $5 transaction fee.

 

[krista4]

Just about set for my Kristagua trip. Got a few things to button up here at the house, then heading to a friend's house that is only about 10 minutes from Dulles. Grab a few winks there if I can, then he's taking me to the airport at 2:30 tomorrow a.m. Flight is at 5:40 ET and I'm supposed to arrive at Managua at 12:30 CT, where I meet the legendary Julio. 30-40 minute ride to Granada, hit the store for supplies on the way, have Julio show me around a bit, and then to Casa Paloma. If that place is anywhere near as nice as the pics, it will be amazing (gonna take pix of the house, but will wait for K4's permission before posting them). It's got a central courtyard with a friggin pool in the middle and is open-air into the kitchen and living area. Granada is supposed to have a lot of US ex-pats, which could be fun. I also got a couple of translation apps for my phone (one text, one voice) to help me get around.

Ok, my checklist so far (feel free to add; shtick is welcome):

Get out on Lake Nicaragua (Granada borders it), whether to fish, sight-see, or both. It's the 20th largest lake in the world and has a volcanic island in it. Plus, SHARKS and Swordfish!

I've been in construction most of my life and have always been interested in architecture. Granada is, I think, the oldest city in the Americas and some of the photos of the buildings look incredible.

Eat like a damned pig. I LOVE trying local cuisines wherever I go and there seem to be some well-reviewed places within walking distance.

Meet people. I tend towards loner-y sometimes and have to kick myself in the ### to get out amongst folks. Once I get started, I'm fine so I've promised myself to talk to anyone who will talk back.

OK, might as well just post some recommendations for you here. I'll supplement as I remember things I've forgotten.Things to do:

-I'm sure it must be possible to get someone to take you fishing on Lake Nicaragua--Julio could advise. But even outside of that, you MUST do an isletas tour. The isletas are 365 islands in Lake Nicaragua formed by a volcano eruption zillions of years ago. It's really a cool experience, and you can do it by boat or by kayak (from what you've said, I suspect you'll go by boat). Make sure to have lunch at Villas Mombacho before or after and have the fish caught right in front of you. Re the lake: Nicas swim in it but gringos don't. You could join the locals for it, though!

-Go to Masaya volcano. There aren't many opportunities in life to stare into the craters of a VERY active volcano. It's awesome. On the same trip you could also go to Caterina for an incredibly beautiful view of Laguna de Apoyo, a lake formed in the crater of a dormant volcano. Or, take a full day at the Laguna, which is just lovely and relaxing. Also many people combine the trip to the Masaya volcano with a visit to the Masaya market and to the "white towns" (not what you think) of San Juan de Oriente and Caterina. There are a lot of possibilities, but I think Masaya is a must. You can also tours some caves there.

-Probably not for you if you don't want to be very active, but hiking and/or ziplining on the supposedly dormant Mombacho volcano is a lot of fun. Mombacho is the one you'll be able to see from the third floor at Paloma.

-Definitely have Julio take you on a Granada city tour (or ask him to have Rodolfo do it). You can get more background on the history, the architecture, etc. Well worthwhile as is just walking around and taking it in, of course.

-Not a big tourist attraction but a place we visited once is the former Somoza prison El Coyotepe. Terrifying and fascinating but not for the faint of heart.

I'll write up some food/drink recommendations next.

 

[krista4]

Uruk-Bill, looks like charvik took care of your travel questions. Nicaragua doesn't have any special procedures that are different than most anywhere else, so as he said you'll just do your passport, etc. in DC and simply change planes in Houston. That's a pretty tight connection but generally doable unless you have a delay on your first flight. Managua immigration is a breeze, and the airport is very small (but modern) and managable. Remember to have a nice crisp $10 for immigration as your entry fee. After you go through immigration, you'll have to put your carry-ons on an x-ray belt before leaving the airport. No big deal. Julio will be there waiting!Actually that reminds me, if you're taking cash with you, Nicaragua is one of those countries where the bills have to be pristine. People generally will not accept bills with marks, tears, etc.Coming back will be just like any other flight, other than picking up your luggage and re-checking it in Houston. Yes, I realize you said you were not checking any bags, but once you see how cheaply you can score Flor de Cana rum down there, you will want to check a bag.

Thanks. You and charvik have made me feel better. I get nervous at the unknown and you both have settled that a good bit.I'm not taking a ####-load of cash with me; based on one of the reviews you got, ATMs are close if I need one. Stupid-Uruk-ATM-Story: was in Mexico and thought I might be trending towards being short by the time I left so I used an ATM. Like a complete idiot, I thought I was withdrawing dollars instead of pesos. I ended up getting something like $2 worth of pesos with a $5 transaction fee.

ATMs are close. You can withdraw in dollars or cordobas. Dollars are widely used but you'll often get change back in cordobas. Exchange rate was around 23-1 last I checked. I withdraw in dollars because I get fewer bank fees on that, and then if I need cordobas I exchange with one of the "coyotes" who are on the corners near the banks. They give you the best exchange rates, but be sure and double-count everything! Julio can help with that if you need it.Speaking of which, I suggest using Julio to do a lot of things for you, but it is not part of his job as property manager, so if you do ask him for things that are not clearly property-related (tours, transport, etc.), please pay him for his time. If you have questions about what is appropriate, let me know. Tours are usually at fairly standard rates around town.

 

[krista4]

Oh my god, BASEBALL!!! Go to a baseball game. I don't care whether you even like baseball. If you don't go, I'll harm you.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Damn, Uruk. Sounds like a blast. Ask Julio if there's a place to see a "donkey show". Wink a couple times and he'll know what you mean.

 

[flysack]

Damn, Uruk. Sounds like a blast. Ask Julio if there's a place to see a "donkey show". Wink a couple times and he'll know what you mean.

Listen to this man, he's an officer and knows things.

 

[flysack]

Ask the cabbie for this: puta.

Remember that sole word and the world will be at your feet. Maybe cerveza too.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Uruk-Bill, looks like charvik took care of your travel questions. Nicaragua doesn't have any special procedures that are different than most anywhere else, so as he said you'll just do your passport, etc. in DC and simply change planes in Houston. That's a pretty tight connection but generally doable unless you have a delay on your first flight. Managua immigration is a breeze, and the airport is very small (but modern) and managable. Remember to have a nice crisp $10 for immigration as your entry fee. After you go through immigration, you'll have to put your carry-ons on an x-ray belt before leaving the airport. No big deal. Julio will be there waiting!Actually that reminds me, if you're taking cash with you, Nicaragua is one of those countries where the bills have to be pristine. People generally will not accept bills with marks, tears, etc.Coming back will be just like any other flight, other than picking up your luggage and re-checking it in Houston. Yes, I realize you said you were not checking any bags, but once you see how cheaply you can score Flor de Cana rum down there, you will want to check a bag.

Thanks. You and charvik have made me feel better. I get nervous at the unknown and you both have settled that a good bit.I'm not taking a ####-load of cash with me; based on one of the reviews you got, ATMs are close if I need one. Stupid-Uruk-ATM-Story: was in Mexico and thought I might be trending towards being short by the time I left so I used an ATM. Like a complete idiot, I thought I was withdrawing dollars instead of pesos. I ended up getting something like $2 worth of pesos with a $5 transaction fee.

ATMs are close. You can withdraw in dollars or cordobas. Dollars are widely used but you'll often get change back in cordobas. Exchange rate was around 23-1 last I checked. I withdraw in dollars because I get fewer bank fees on that, and then if I need cordobas I exchange with one of the "coyotes" who are on the corners near the banks. They give you the best exchange rates, but be sure and double-count everything! Julio can help with that if you need it.Speaking of which, I suggest using Julio to do a lot of things for you, but it is not part of his job as property manager, so if you do ask him for things that are not clearly property-related (tours, transport, etc.), please pay him for his time. If you have questions about what is appropriate, let me know. Tours are usually at fairly standard rates around town.

Thanks. If Julio does any outside jobs for me, he will be compensated. We came to an agreement on him picking me up at the airport (well, he told me how much and I said "yes"). I realize I could've taken a bus for a fraction, but I feel more secure with him and his price is fair. On a semi-related note: for your work-related e-mail shtick, why not have Julio write them for you?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Oh my god, BASEBALL!!! Go to a baseball game. I don't care whether you even like baseball. If you don't go, I'll harm you.

Jeez, never even thought of that. They have a local team? I would love that!

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

On a semi-related note: for your work-related e-mail shtick, why not have Julio write them for you?

or just copy/paste random segments of his emails into your work-related emails.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Oh my god, BASEBALL!!! Go to a baseball game. I don't care whether you even like baseball. If you don't go, I'll harm you.

Jeez, never even thought of that. They have a local team? I would love that!

with lots of gambling

 

[krista4]

Oh my god, BASEBALL!!! Go to a baseball game. I don't care whether you even like baseball. If you don't go, I'll harm you.

Jeez, never even thought of that. They have a local team? I would love that!

The Tiburones! Seriously, going to a baseball game in Nicaragua is one of my top experiences ever. I'm pretty sure I wrote it up in here.

On a semi-related note: for your work-related e-mail shtick, why not have Julio write them for you?

or just copy/paste random segments of his emails into your work-related emails.

Perfect.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Damn, Uruk. Sounds like a blast. Ask Julio if there's a place to see a "donkey show". Wink a couple times and he'll know what you mean.

Listen to this man, he's an officer and knows things.

I thought he was a bailbondsman.Serious here: if anyone wants to come down for all or part of the week, let me know (& krista approves). I'm by myself in a 3BR house (semi-hot lesbians couldn't make it). For some kind of reference, my round-trip ticket was around $450.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

On a semi-related note: for your work-related e-mail shtick, why not have Julio write them for you?

or just copy/paste random segments of his emails into your work-related emails.

Even better. You should have enough to make tenuous connections to what you're responding to and some of Julio's e-mails.

 

[General Malaise]

does that count as a bad experience, Rude?

well, yeahI've heard lots of stories about crime in New Orleans. Wasn't disagreeing with you at all. Just remembered you talking up Portland in another thread recently b/c of how safe it was. I had forgotten about that story you had told. My bad.Being a victim of a random act of violence like that is messed up.Also, K4 is currently living in Memphis. I seem to recall the biggest reason people told her not to move there was b/c of the crime as well.

Oh, there's crime everywhere and I really am not that fearful of it and can recognize that there's bad guys looking to catch a fish in any corner of the world. But having the ability to walk around downtown Portland anytime of day with my family and not feel the least bit of concern on any block is pretty nice. There's only a couple of streets where the homeless and the drug addicts congregate here, but they would curl up in a fetal ball of fear if they were to take their act to New Orleans, Detroit or Oakland. All that said, Memphis has some incredibly nice parts to it, as does New Orleans. With great income comes the ability to buffer yourself from the elements. I doubt those that live in Germantown worry about being a victim of violent crime the way somebody living in an apartment in downtown Memphis would.

Downtown is the safest part in all of Memphis.

Does Nicaragua have good looking ladies?

For the most part, no. That said, a few of my friends there seem to have done pretty well for themselves in the girlfriend department. Overall, because it is such an incredibly poor country, not good nutrition, dental hygiene, etc. which does not lead to a lot of lookers.

Ah...so bad skin. Got it.Also, saw Van Halen in 1991 at the Pyramid in Memphis. Didn't seem too safe walking back to the car after the show.

 

[belljr]

Ah...so bad skin. Got it.Also, saw Van Halen in 1991 at the Pyramid in Memphis. Didn't seem too safe walking back to the car after the show.

GM you are apparently a skin guy?

 

[General Malaise]

Just about set for my Kristagua trip. Got a few things to button up here at the house, then heading to a friend's house that is only about 10 minutes from Dulles. Grab a few winks there if I can, then he's taking me to the airport at 2:30 tomorrow a.m. Flight is at 5:40 ET and I'm supposed to arrive at Managua at 12:30 CT, where I meet the legendary Julio. 30-40 minute ride to Granada, hit the store for supplies on the way, have Julio show me around a bit, and then to Casa Paloma. If that place is anywhere near as nice as the pics, it will be amazing (gonna take pix of the house, but will wait for K4's permission before posting them). It's got a central courtyard with a friggin pool in the middle and is open-air into the kitchen and living area. Granada is supposed to have a lot of US ex-pats, which could be fun. I also got a couple of translation apps for my phone (one text, one voice) to help me get around.Ok, my checklist so far (feel free to add; shtick is welcome):Get out on Lake Nicaragua (Granada borders it), whether to fish, sight-see, or both. It's the 20th largest lake in the world and has a volcanic island in it. Plus, SHARKS and Swordfish!I've been in construction most of my life and have always been interested in architecture. Granada is, I think, the oldest city in the Americas and some of the photos of the buildings look incredible.Eat like a damned pig. I LOVE trying local cuisines wherever I go and there seem to be some well-reviewed places within walking distance.Meet people. I tend towards loner-y sometimes and have to kick myself in the ### to get out amongst folks. Once I get started, I'm fine so I've promised myself to talk to anyone who will talk back.

I vividly recall Krista's first trip to Nicaragua (or the first that I remember) and she told a tremendous story about going to a baseball game, with rampant gambling and incredible food/beer. I would probably find a baseball game or 10 if/when I go.

 

[Sheriff Bart]

GM, when somebody PM's you, do you have e-mail notification turned on?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

GM, when somebody PM's you, do you have e-mail notification turned on?

Yes he does

 

[YSR]

Ahh, 1990. The year of my first kiss. Casey Dowling in the costume closet of the music room.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Ahh, 1990. The year of my first kiss. Casey Dowling in the costume closet of the music room.

Aah, my 10 year HS reunion. I didn't kiss Colin Dowling, though.

 

[krista4]

does that count as a bad experience, Rude?

well, yeahI've heard lots of stories about crime in New Orleans. Wasn't disagreeing with you at all. Just remembered you talking up Portland in another thread recently b/c of how safe it was. I had forgotten about that story you had told. My bad.

Being a victim of a random act of violence like that is messed up.

Also, K4 is currently living in Memphis. I seem to recall the biggest reason people told her not to move there was b/c of the crime as well.

Oh, there's crime everywhere and I really am not that fearful of it and can recognize that there's bad guys looking to catch a fish in any corner of the world. But having the ability to walk around downtown Portland anytime of day with my family and not feel the least bit of concern on any block is pretty nice. There's only a couple of streets where the homeless and the drug addicts congregate here, but they would curl up in a fetal ball of fear if they were to take their act to New Orleans, Detroit or Oakland. All that said, Memphis has some incredibly nice parts to it, as does New Orleans. With great income comes the ability to buffer yourself from the elements. I doubt those that live in Germantown worry about being a victim of violent crime the way somebody living in an apartment in downtown Memphis would.

Downtown is the safest part in all of Memphis.

Does Nicaragua have good looking ladies?

For the most part, no. That said, a few of my friends there seem to have done pretty well for themselves in the girlfriend department. Overall, because it is such an incredibly poor country, not good nutrition, dental hygiene, etc. which does not lead to a lot of lookers.

Ah...so bad skin. Got it.Also, saw Van Halen in 1991 at the Pyramid in Memphis. Didn't seem too safe walking back to the car after the show.

No offense, GB, but it's a bit silly to post something so factually incorrect based on an anecdotal experience from more than 20 years ago. I'm sure no one would have any reason to know this outside of Memphis (I didn't until I moved), but there is a huge revitalization downtown that began in the mid-to-late 90s. 38103 is literally the safest zip code in the city. You do seem more crime-focused than most people I know. I read your story above about the car-jacking, so I guess that's why. I've had my fair share of crime go on around me when I lived in NY and Chicago (oddly enough, zero such experiences in Memphis), but I guess until you experience something like that personally you just don't have those same fears.

As to Nica women, they tend to be fleshy.

 

[krista4]

Just about set for my Kristagua trip. Got a few things to button up here at the house, then heading to a friend's house that is only about 10 minutes from Dulles. Grab a few winks there if I can, then he's taking me to the airport at 2:30 tomorrow a.m. Flight is at 5:40 ET and I'm supposed to arrive at Managua at 12:30 CT, where I meet the legendary Julio. 30-40 minute ride to Granada, hit the store for supplies on the way, have Julio show me around a bit, and then to Casa Paloma. If that place is anywhere near as nice as the pics, it will be amazing (gonna take pix of the house, but will wait for K4's permission before posting them). It's got a central courtyard with a friggin pool in the middle and is open-air into the kitchen and living area. Granada is supposed to have a lot of US ex-pats, which could be fun. I also got a couple of translation apps for my phone (one text, one voice) to help me get around.Ok, my checklist so far (feel free to add; shtick is welcome):Get out on Lake Nicaragua (Granada borders it), whether to fish, sight-see, or both. It's the 20th largest lake in the world and has a volcanic island in it. Plus, SHARKS and Swordfish!I've been in construction most of my life and have always been interested in architecture. Granada is, I think, the oldest city in the Americas and some of the photos of the buildings look incredible.Eat like a damned pig. I LOVE trying local cuisines wherever I go and there seem to be some well-reviewed places within walking distance.Meet people. I tend towards loner-y sometimes and have to kick myself in the ### to get out amongst folks. Once I get started, I'm fine so I've promised myself to talk to anyone who will talk back.

I vividly recall Krista's first trip to Nicaragua (or the first that I remember) and she told a tremendous story about going to a baseball game, with rampant gambling and incredible food/beer. I would probably find a baseball game or 10 if/when I go.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

E-mail I just got from Julio asking if we're set for tomorrow:

Yeah man. I will ser you tomorrow too. And thanks. Tomorrow at this time u will be here. Drinking something delicus.

With all my respect

Julio

I love him

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Ahh, 1990. The year of my first kiss. Casey Dowling in the costume closet of the music room.

You band kids were wild!

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Ahh, 1990. The year of my first kiss. Casey Dowling in the costume closet of the music room.

Chick?

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Oh yeah, Mr. Krista, nice to see you back!

 

[Uruk-Hai]

E-mail I just got from Julio asking if we're set for tomorrow:

Yeah man. I will ser you tomorrow too. And thanks. Tomorrow at this time u will be here. Drinking something delicus.

With all my respect

Julio

I love him

Then he got my out-of-office reply:Perfect sr.

Julio

 

[General Malaise]

Ah...so bad skin. Got it.Also, saw Van Halen in 1991 at the Pyramid in Memphis. Didn't seem too safe walking back to the car after the show.

GM you are apparently a skin guy?

Nothing gets by you, Sponge.

 

[General Malaise]

GM, when somebody PM's you, do you have e-mail notification turned on?

No.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Ahh, 1990. The year of my first kiss. Casey Dowling in the costume closet of the music room.

Chick?

Colin's brother. Katy's cousin.

 

[General Malaise]

Just about set for my Kristagua trip. Got a few things to button up here at the house, then heading to a friend's house that is only about 10 minutes from Dulles. Grab a few winks there if I can, then he's taking me to the airport at 2:30 tomorrow a.m. Flight is at 5:40 ET and I'm supposed to arrive at Managua at 12:30 CT, where I meet the legendary Julio. 30-40 minute ride to Granada, hit the store for supplies on the way, have Julio show me around a bit, and then to Casa Paloma. If that place is anywhere near as nice as the pics, it will be amazing (gonna take pix of the house, but will wait for K4's permission before posting them). It's got a central courtyard with a friggin pool in the middle and is open-air into the kitchen and living area. Granada is supposed to have a lot of US ex-pats, which could be fun. I also got a couple of translation apps for my phone (one text, one voice) to help me get around.Ok, my checklist so far (feel free to add; shtick is welcome):Get out on Lake Nicaragua (Granada borders it), whether to fish, sight-see, or both. It's the 20th largest lake in the world and has a volcanic island in it. Plus, SHARKS and Swordfish!I've been in construction most of my life and have always been interested in architecture. Granada is, I think, the oldest city in the Americas and some of the photos of the buildings look incredible.Eat like a damned pig. I LOVE trying local cuisines wherever I go and there seem to be some well-reviewed places within walking distance.Meet people. I tend towards loner-y sometimes and have to kick myself in the ### to get out amongst folks. Once I get started, I'm fine so I've promised myself to talk to anyone who will talk back.

I vividly recall Krista's first trip to Nicaragua (or the first that I remember) and she told a tremendous story about going to a baseball game, with rampant gambling and incredible food/beer. I would probably find a baseball game or 10 if/when I go.

Should have read further down. Also, your cigars are outstanding. I smoke MAYBE 4-5 a year and I don't know very much about them, but I have been puffing my brains out and dreaming about Nicaraguan baseball games.

 

[belljr]

Ah...so bad skin. Got it.Also, saw Van Halen in 1991 at the Pyramid in Memphis. Didn't seem too safe walking back to the car after the show.

GM you are apparently a skin guy?

Nothing gets by you, Sponge.

Hey I'm new to this area of FBG.... cut me some slack jack

 

[krista4]

E-mail I just got from Julio asking if we're set for tomorrow:

Yeah man. I will ser you tomorrow too. And thanks. Tomorrow at this time u will be here. Drinking something delicus.

With all my respect

Julio

I love him

Then he got my out-of-office reply:Perfect sr.

Julio

You really are going to love him even more than you think. Can't wait.

 

[Thorn]

E-mail I just got from Julio asking if we're set for tomorrow:

Yeah man. I will ser you tomorrow too. And thanks. Tomorrow at this time u will be here. Drinking something delicus.

With all my respect

Julio

I love him

Then he got my out-of-office reply:Perfect sr.

Julio

 

[krista4]

Just about set for my Kristagua trip. Got a few things to button up here at the house, then heading to a friend's house that is only about 10 minutes from Dulles. Grab a few winks there if I can, then he's taking me to the airport at 2:30 tomorrow a.m. Flight is at 5:40 ET and I'm supposed to arrive at Managua at 12:30 CT, where I meet the legendary Julio. 30-40 minute ride to Granada, hit the store for supplies on the way, have Julio show me around a bit, and then to Casa Paloma. If that place is anywhere near as nice as the pics, it will be amazing (gonna take pix of the house, but will wait for K4's permission before posting them). It's got a central courtyard with a friggin pool in the middle and is open-air into the kitchen and living area. Granada is supposed to have a lot of US ex-pats, which could be fun. I also got a couple of translation apps for my phone (one text, one voice) to help me get around.Ok, my checklist so far (feel free to add; shtick is welcome):Get out on Lake Nicaragua (Granada borders it), whether to fish, sight-see, or both. It's the 20th largest lake in the world and has a volcanic island in it. Plus, SHARKS and Swordfish!I've been in construction most of my life and have always been interested in architecture. Granada is, I think, the oldest city in the Americas and some of the photos of the buildings look incredible.Eat like a damned pig. I LOVE trying local cuisines wherever I go and there seem to be some well-reviewed places within walking distance.Meet people. I tend towards loner-y sometimes and have to kick myself in the ### to get out amongst folks. Once I get started, I'm fine so I've promised myself to talk to anyone who will talk back.

I vividly recall Krista's first trip to Nicaragua (or the first that I remember) and she told a tremendous story about going to a baseball game, with rampant gambling and incredible food/beer. I would probably find a baseball game or 10 if/when I go.

Should have read further down. Also, your cigars are outstanding. I smoke MAYBE 4-5 a year and I don't know very much about them, but I have been puffing my brains out and dreaming about Nicaraguan baseball games.

Oh, awesome. I'd meant to ask. I don't know anything about them either but did my best.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Ah...so bad skin. Got it.Also, saw Van Halen in 1991 at the Pyramid in Memphis. Didn't seem too safe walking back to the car after the show.

GM you are apparently a skin guy?

 

[belljr]

Ah...so bad skin. Got it.Also, saw Van Halen in 1991 at the Pyramid in Memphis. Didn't seem too safe walking back to the car after the show.

GM you are apparently a skin guy?

wait --- how is TF quoted

 

[Uruk-Hai]

E-mail I just got from Julio asking if we're set for tomorrow:

Yeah man. I will ser you tomorrow too. And thanks. Tomorrow at this time u will be here. Drinking something delicus.

With all my respect

Julio

I love him

Then he got my out-of-office reply:Perfect sr.

Julio

You really are going to love him even more than you think. Can't wait.

Just to be clear, I'm not doing a pat-Corky-on-the-head thing here or trying to make fun of Julio. Betcha his English ends up better than mine, though that's a low bar. I just love the enthusiasm and willingness to do something different - unlike my stick in the mud ###.

 

[krista4]

E-mail I just got from Julio asking if we're set for tomorrow:

Yeah man. I will ser you tomorrow too. And thanks. Tomorrow at this time u will be here. Drinking something delicus.

With all my respect

Julio

I love him

Then he got my out-of-office reply:Perfect sr.

Julio

You really are going to love him even more than you think. Can't wait.

Just to be clear, I'm not doing a pat-Corky-on-the-head thing here or trying to make fun of Julio. Betcha his English ends up better than mine, though that's a low bar. I just love the enthusiasm and willingness to do something different - unlike my stick in the mud ###.

You really are going to love him even more than you think. Can't wait.

 

[General Malaise]

No offense, GB, but it's a bit silly to post something so factually incorrect based on an anecdotal experience from more than 20 years ago. I'm sure no one would have any reason to know this outside of Memphis (I didn't until I moved), but there is a huge revitalization downtown that began in the mid-to-late 90s. 38103 is literally the safest zip code in the city.

You do seem more crime-focused than most people I know. I read your story above about the car-jacking, so I guess that's why. I've had my fair share of crime go on around me when I lived in NY and Chicago (oddly enough, zero such experiences in Memphis), but I guess until you experience something like that personally you just don't have those same fears.

As to Nica women, they tend to be fleshy.

Did I at least nail the Germantown part right? No offense taken, but really, it's only been the last three days that I've mentioned violent crime vis a vis American cities. It's not like I'm whitewashing the FFA with fanatical posts. I made one post in a thread this week about cities to live in and a few posts in here. I don't think I'm going chicken little in here by any stretch. Look, I like Memphis. I like New Orleans. Hell, I even like Detroit. I attended college with an iron fence around the entire perimeter because it was smack dab in the middle of some very bad parts of Mississippi. I didn't crawl into my dorm room and cower in fear. But when it comes time to discussing pros/cons of where to live in life, I suppose I'm just silly for considering things like crime rates. And when it comes to downtown areas, Portland's is safer than other cities I've lived in/been to. I like that.

 

[-fish-]

anyone in here got a decent laptop you want to sell or give away? Mine is ancient, heavy, and starting to make funny noises.

 

[General Malaise]

Forbes Top 10 List for Violent Crime

#4 Memphis

#2 St. Louis

#8 Stockton?

New Orleans - NOT ON THIS LIST!

 

[-fish-]

Ah...so bad skin. Got it.Also, saw Van Halen in 1991 at the Pyramid in Memphis. Didn't seem too safe walking back to the car after the show.

GM you are apparently a skin guy?

wait --- how is TF quoted

that's weird

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Forbes Top 10 List for Violent Crime

#4 Memphis

#2 St. Louis

#8 Stockton?

New Orleans - NOT ON THIS LIST!

1. Detroit3. Oakland

10. Buffalo

Surprised Chicago doesn't make the cut.

 

[krista4]

No offense, GB, but it's a bit silly to post something so factually incorrect based on an anecdotal experience from more than 20 years ago. I'm sure no one would have any reason to know this outside of Memphis (I didn't until I moved), but there is a huge revitalization downtown that began in the mid-to-late 90s. 38103 is literally the safest zip code in the city.

You do seem more crime-focused than most people I know. I read your story above about the car-jacking, so I guess that's why. I've had my fair share of crime go on around me when I lived in NY and Chicago (oddly enough, zero such experiences in Memphis), but I guess until you experience something like that personally you just don't have those same fears.

As to Nica women, they tend to be fleshy.

Did I at least nail the Germantown part right? No offense taken, but really, it's only been the last three days that I've mentioned violent crime vis a vis American cities. It's not like I'm whitewashing the FFA with fanatical posts. I made one post in a thread this week about cities to live in and a few posts in here. I don't think I'm going chicken little in here by any stretch. Look, I like Memphis. I like New Orleans. Hell, I even like Detroit. I attended college with an iron fence around the entire perimeter because it was smack dab in the middle of some very bad parts of Mississippi. I didn't crawl into my dorm room and cower in fear. But when it comes time to discussing pros/cons of where to live in life, I suppose I'm just silly for considering things like crime rates. And when it comes to downtown areas, Portland's is safer than other cities I've lived in/been to. I like that.

Yes, I do think it's silly to consider crime rates for cities as a whole, unless you are just a naturally very scared person, given that in many cases almost all of the crime is isolated to relatively few parts of a city and can be fairly easily avoided. In other cases--and perhaps New Orleans is one of them, as I really don't know--it can be rampant throughout. Your reference to "downtown" Memphis was flatly inaccurate and based on feeling the heebie-jeebies once 21 years ago. As for Germantown, it depends. Some areas are safe; some are less so. The area where my office is has a LOT of break-ins and property crimes, but generally not a ton of violent crime.

 

[phishphan]

1991 - graduated from high school!

 

[Uruk-Hai]

E-mail I just got from Julio asking if we're set for tomorrow:

Yeah man. I will ser you tomorrow too. And thanks. Tomorrow at this time u will be here. Drinking something delicus.

With all my respect

Julio

I love him

Then he got my out-of-office reply:Perfect sr.

Julio

You really are going to love him even more than you think. Can't wait.

Just to be clear, I'm not doing a pat-Corky-on-the-head thing here or trying to make fun of Julio. Betcha his English ends up better than mine, though that's a low bar. I just love the enthusiasm and willingness to do something different - unlike my stick in the mud ###.

You really are going to love him even more than you think. Can't wait.

I already feel like we're friends and, I swear, his American slang has gotten better since we contacted each other several weeks ago. That guy is going to go far if he keeps his head about him.