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No.76 Nicaragua – Not an easy decision

Jan 3, 2018 | America, Blog, Central America, Nicaragua, Zentralamerika

This blog post is already 4 months overdue. It’s hard for me to describe my time in Nicaragua in a fair and constructive way. But I have pushed this article away from me long enough and now it is finally time to post it.

Even with the great distance I have now, the time I spent there is still a sad memory and I’m glad to be able to get it off my chest now.

Nicaragua was warmly recommended to me. “You’ll see, there you’ll meet the nicest people in Central America, and it’s also very cool there!”

Well, if I have learned one thing, it is that you have to come to your own conclusions. Everyone has different preferences and comes with different expectations and experiences to a country. Nations are changing too. A country that was not on the Gringo Trail yesterday – the backpacker route in Latin America – can already be negatively affected today. So always look at it yourself – something I can only recommend to everyone.

The negative effects of too many tourists is almost everywhere apparent, unfriendly staff, uninterested locals and commercialization.

Yes, I am a tourist myself and I also contribute to the changing of the local’s behavior! Unfortunately!

There was stress at the border right away. The officials were anything but friendly, but I didn’t let them spoil my mood and entered with a positive spirit into a new country.

What I like about Central America is its small size. You can be in a new country within a few days if you want.

But Central America is certainly not on any of my future must do lists. Anything but a cyclist friendly area where you can find idyllic corners for camping. The heat is just corrosive. The food mostly boring, but Nicaragua sometimes offered up really delicious Gallo Pinto – a beans & rice national dish.

The landscape is not really special and when it is then it is totally commercialized. The heavy traffic is no fun, although I was rarely really worried about my safety.

People are not all the same – some are friendly others not – it really depends on the area. It’s expensive, because I mostly had to pay for sleeping accommodations – camping is extremely difficult with the density of people and I wasn’t invited in other than in Belize.

Since Mexico I’ve seen the same churches, I’ve experienced the same culture, the same brightly painted houses the same faces and the same language. Also, it is too European for me because its former Spanish colonization left its mark. It was all really interesting for a while, but it was always the same in the long term.

I missed my nature. My campfire, my stars, the peace of the desert, the lonely areas. I don’t like hustle and bustle. The dense amount of people was not my thing. I can enjoy this for a few weeks, but in the long run it does not make me happy. I just didn’t like it there.

Every day was passing by like that. There was not much to experience, it was more that I had to get it done because I wanted to get to Panama to tick this part of the world off the list for all time. I wanted to get to South America and Central America is simply the gateway to it.

So, I agree with some other cyclists who told me beforehand, “Central America? Forget it – cycling is no fun there.” Yes, that’s right.

Central America is in my view a backpacker destination. You get on the bus and drive to the highlights. Volcano Surfing, diving, surfing in the sea, beach, party, a few pyramids, two three colorful cities, a few national parks and you have seen it and most certainly had a lot of fun.

But as a cyclist, I don’t like to just hit the highlights and go with the flow of tourists, no I love to discover the areas between the much-visited sights. But for me that didn’t provide much here.

If I compare Central America to Asia and how much the cultures change from one country to the next, then there is simply no comparison.

That’s why I liked Belize so much. It was totally different and really exciting because of the many different ethnic groups. Surely Guatemala would have been really interesting – I can only blame myself that I didn’t see more of it.

Leon wasn’t far. Supposedly one of the most beautiful cities in Central America and because the countryside didn’t offer much I started checking out the tourist spots. I discovered a cozy hostel where I met really nice people in the dormitory. People from all over the world, I love that.

The city was celebrating the anniversary of the revolution with fireworks, reenactments, music on the plazas and a steady flow of visitors.

One evening, I watched a documentary about the revolution in Nicaragua with some Latinos from Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Central America as well as a few Europeans and Canadians, and then we discussed the film.

It was a pity to see how very negative the Latinos think about the US Americans. Frankly speaking, the Americans are to blame for everything concerning the life situation in their countries. Even at the most southern tip of the continent, the few South Americans present had their enemy image – the Gringos.

The Nicaraguans also mentioned that US Americans are called Americans while unfortunately the other nations of the Americas are not. Something I have never thought about before and is certainly understandable from their point of view.

I can also understand that not everyone likes the US Americans and their politics, and certainly some of those present and their countries have suffered because of US interference, but what I don’t like is that so many of them want to work in the US – so many want to live in the promised land.

If I want to live there then I cannot be against them in the same breath. Strangely enough, those who were already in the USA and worked there are really nice people. Helpful, friendly, open and talkative. Apparently, they had a good time and realized how friendly the US Americans are after all.

Unfortunately, a mistake us humans always make. Politicians and their politics are often not the people of a country.

By the way, the McDonalds in Leon was by far the city’s most popular restaurant. You can also drink Coke and eat Hamburgers everywhere else in Leon and people wear baseball caps printed with New York or Los Angeles logos on them. Simply like everywhere else.

I met Evi from Austria and we spent time together, enjoyed checking out the area, just hanging out or having a meal. She had just arrived and was full of energy and ready for action – thus at this time almost exactly the opposite of me.

Her presence made me think a lot and eventually led me get to the conclusion that the Central American Latino world is simply not my cup of tea. I could not share her enthusiasm for Nicaragua at all and realized how much I felt out of place. I knew I had to change something, but I didn’t know how or what.

I was sitting in a pub and using the WIFI when a 12-year-old boy came to my table. He looked like a Latino and started to ask me questions, but I didn’t understand him at first. After a while, he said, “I speak English – I’m American.”

I was so irritated at first because after so many months in the Latin American world I hadn’t experienced many people approaching me on their own – not even children, that I didn’t even notice he was speaking English. His parents had emigrated to the States and were originally from Nicaragua.

We talked for a while and when he moved on I realized what I was missing here – connection to the people! I felt lonely here. How easily the boy came to me, how easy it is to get in touch with other nations, that’s exactly what I didn’t find here and that’s exactly what I like so much.

One morning, I woke up and realized that something was wrong with me. My head itched and felt hot. My ears and neck were red and had a rash. It was no fun, but I had no explanation.

I asked some people in the hostel if they saw anything on my scalp, but nobody found anything. When I showered it cooled a bit and therefore I thought it might be a reaction to the constant heat to which I was exposed to. But that didn’t help much. The itching came and went and the rash got worse and worse.

Was it the pillow in the hostel? Were there bugs or fleas here?

I went to get a haircut to get some air flowing around my neck. I went to different pharmacies and asked for advice, but no one really wanted to help me.

I even took a Chilean lady to the pharmacy, which also failed even with her friendly and open way and as a native speaker it was certainly not due to any communication problems. We didn’t get any info.

I also went to the doctor, but he didn’t care much about helping me either. Evi speaks Spanish much better than I and repeated a few times “he should please speak slowly”, but that was all too much for him. In the end he said “it must be a heat allergy”.

The itching made me crazy and I kept asking people if they can see something? 10 days went by and I started questioning my sanity.

“Please, Evi, look again” I desperately ask.

“Wow, there are a lot of critters running around in your hair. These are lice!”

Oh great, but at least I knew what it was.

I immediately went to the pharmacy and was busy from then on. There is not only special lice shampoo, no, there is also a special lice comb with which one can brush the lice from the hair. From then on, I brushed my hair for about 5 hours a day – for at least the next 5 days. And in the end, I fished about 500 lice out of my hair.

Finally, I got rid of them!!!!

You can only get lice from the hair of another person. I strongly suspect that I came in contact with lice from the children in Belize, with whom I spent two days playing and hanging out. After that the lice had spread over my head for several lice generations. Disgusting and something I don’t need again. ?

After I had solved the problem with the lice, the problem of boredom and not liking Central America was still present.

But there is one thing I have to say – as a photographer, you have a lot of fun here – there are tons of cool picture possibilities.

Nothing inspired me to get back to the road, but I gave the whole thing another chance and cycled on some smaller roads to a volcanic crater which was recommended to me. The ride was a mix of heavy traffic and some quiet roads.

At the park entrance of Masaya, I learned that I was not allowed to ride the bike to the crater rim, no, I was only allowed to go there by car / bus. Thus, I hitchhiked with a coach and was allowed to enjoy the crater for an astonishing 5 minutes – allegedly the sulfur fumes are too poisonous to stay there longer.

Granada was only a stone’s throw away. Another tourist destination where the dollar seems to be more important than any friendly gesture. A great place, full of beautiful sites, but also here I had almost no contact with anyone, if so then only with other tourists.

I finally decided to leave the area. I’m definitely not going any further – that was for sure.

I longed for the great landscapes in South America, but also realized that I finally had to take a break. I didn’t want to start a new continent unless I spent a short time in my homeland. Also, I had concerns about facing more of the same culture that had not brought me much pleasure or motivation, even if I knew that South America is totally different than Central America.

Most certainly, at the beginning of my journey I would have seen the situation here more positively. As the kilometers pile up one’s enthusiasm and impressions can be dulled and one is certainly more easily annoyed and bored faster, because you have just seen too much.

I can also now compare much more. I met so many nice people elsewhere, I was simply totally spoiled.

The journey had lost its magic. I could try as hard as I wanted, I couldn’t find the joy anymore. And I was tired, just extremely tired.

Basically, I knew it was over, at least for now it was over. I needed something new, whatever it was. I needed to find it.

I can no longer imagine a “normal life”, so it will go on in some form with a next trip and that makes me feel positive.

Do I fly straight home? No!

What would be an alternative? Going to Norway and cycle home from there, or to London? Or to Spain – no thanks, no more Spanish culture I just thought and so it was that the cheapest flight I found was going back to the USA.

For a break, the US was just right.

I bargained with the bus drivers at the bus station about the fare to Managua, because of course they wanted to rip me off and most certainly did. When I stowed my bike on the roof and watched the guys as they whistled to every woman walking down the street and gave stupid comments, I knew it was the right decision. I don’t like machos – I don’t like this macho world and I don’t like being treated like a rich Gringa.

I had booked another flight in the same breath. A flight home. I will spend Christmas 2017 with my family and friends.

Now back to Oregon in the USA – Bikepacking and a longer break is next.

 

44 Comments

  1. Beautiful story, thanks!

    Reply
  2. I cycled for a long time in Central America during my trip around the world by bike, and I loved every minute of it.

    Reply
    • I read Heike’s tour and I love it…. Well I hope to get a better expierience…. I leave tomorrow for 2 and half month Costa Rica and Nicaragua and I hope for the best after reading Heikes story. Beautiful pictures…. sad story. Which roads have you cycled Jan?

      Reply
      • Yea, I guess it’s all in the mind. After 5 glorious months of cycling in Mexico, I cycled right down to Panama during many months. Maybe it is a matter of being open-minded, or how one approaches people, but I loved every minute of it.

      • Look Jan, I perfectly accept your opinion. I am glad you had a great time. We are all different and come from different places and different backgrounds.
        If you are so open minded as you are calling yourself, you wouldn’t defend your experiences as much as you do here.

      • Hi Gerry,

        as mentioned, I was on a long journey – spent a long time in the area and was simply tired of the same culture and the limited opportunities of travelling the way I like it. That doesn’t mean anything – you might love it. I am also a female not a male, which is a huge difference in such a male dominated society.

        I know a few bike touring couples who seem to really enjoy Central America. Most cyclist I spoke to were not all that impressed. There is a bike touring infographic where experienced cyclists talk about their favourite destinations https://www.cyclingabout.com/bicycle-touring-infographic-best-bike-touring-destinations/ you won’t find Central America on it.

        But all that shouldn’t take away your excitement of looking forward to a great time.
        Enjoy….Cheers Heike

      • 😉

      • Hola!
        I have travelled around in Nica last November by bus and shuttle. It was an amazing experience. I hiked up 6 volcanos which was awesome. Jsut Masaysa wans’t my favourite as it is so touristy and you can go up there by car. It is the only volcano you can drive up… Good for everyone with disabilities and walking problems but not the real nature and outdoor experience I was looking for! But a 2-days trip to volcano Cosiguenia and an full moon hike to Telica has been my favourite ones!! There is backpacker trails in Nica, jsut leave it behind and you will find the real Central America and friendly and interested people. With a bit of Spanish almost any door opens to you… an amazing country for me…Next will be Colombia I guess, totally a different world and approach!

  3. I love you Heike
    Thank you for the adventure, I’ve followed you since the moment I found you on the internet. You are an inspiration and one tough lady. I love your photography, equipment and style. Enjoy your vacation, recharge your batteries and get back out there for all of us armchair tourers.
    Rocky

    Reply
  4. At least the pictures look great! I know that’s poor compensation really. Anyhow, thanks for the warning. Never been attracted to Central America anyway, at least not past the tip of the Baja. Like you I most love the places where camping is free and easy and the roads smell like freedom and not diesel fumes.

    Reply
    • 🙂 🙂 🙂 Seems like we have a lot in common….
      Happy greetings…..Heike

      Reply
  5. Thanks for your honest comments. It is a shame that your journey had to end on a down note. I hope you had a good Christmas and a time to refresh yourself physically, mentally and spiritually.
    You will rebound and be on the road again soon. I look forward to seeing your pictures and reports.

    Reply
    • Thanks Paul, no if it wouldn’t have been negative, I might have not booked a flight to see family and friends….so all in all there is always a reason why things are the way they are.
      Charging batteries is important….
      Enjoy 2018…Cheers Heike

      Reply
  6. Hi Heike,
    Besides endurance cycling / traveling – Photography is your strong-suit. ( Among others I imagine ).

    I suggest ( if you have not already ) prepare to formalize your photos for production. When you are ready. Over time you can wonder and find the best way. Alas, it could just be this blog. But storage is an open ended challenge.

    Thank you for much inspiration. I am in Northern California. Aging well – so far !

    Reply
  7. So honest. So brave.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Have you been to Ethiopia?
    I am there for a month from February.

    Reply
  8. Always a trooper Hieke!

    Positive or negative experiences make us who we are!
    You’ve traveled to destinations most of us only dream of and created your own life experiences to share with other in the cycling world.
    We thank you for that.
    If you’re ever in Niagara Falls Canada I’ll offer you a place to stay no charge 🙂

    Happy travels

    Reply
    • Thanks Dave 😉
      Canada won’t be on my list for another while….but thanks very much for the invitation….
      Happy days in 2018 !
      Cheers Heike

      Reply
  9. You is my inspiration. My trip it is next. Three weeks.Hug! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  10. Liebe Heike
    Danke für deinen informativen Reisebericht mit den vielen interessanten Fotos. Ich bin immer wieder gerne ‘mit dir unterwegs’. Schade, daß du dich in Mittelamerika -außer in Belize – nicht unbedingt wohlgefühlt hast. Bin schon gespannt wie es dir in Südamerika gefällt. Liebe Grüße in die Ferne aus der Heimat
    Margit

    Reply
  11. Hi Heike,

    Thank You for your blog. I have been to Central America several times and understand. What was disturbing to me were the many unhappy people, pollution , the poverty, little hope to change their lives. You are brave, you hung in there and then realized it was time to get out. Good Luck and All the Best for 2018!

    Reply
    • Thanks Anneliese….yes I agree, a lot of unhappy people. All the best…..Heike

      Reply
  12. Love your pictures.
    I spent a little time in Nicaragua as a tourist while visiting my son who was serving in the Peace Corp. I loved “my” experience.
    My son has decided to stay and work in Managua.
    Thanks for the update.

    Reply
    • Hi Ian, glad you had a great time….Happy New Year….Heike

      Reply
  13. I read your latest blog post whenever I get it, Heike. I appreciate your candor about the places in which you ride, and your photography captures people and scenery in a special way. Thanks again for sending your blog out. Hope your trip home is restorative, and I look forward to reading and viewing South America from your lenses!

    Reply
  14. Those must have been some pretty bad days, before the lice were discovered. Just looking at the photos made me cringe. Hopefully you will never go through that again, probably didn’t help your mood in CA either.
    Wish you a good rest at home and a clear mind and path to whatever is next.
    Cheers Heike and Thanks again for taking us along.
    RB
    PS Can’t imagine the emotions you must have felt with a four and a half year trip around the world ending. Congratulations and Strength to you.

    Reply
  15. Hope it does not stop you from exploring South america. So many wonderful places and wonderful open people nothing like central america. Now in Colombia After touring Ecuador And both have warm friendly people you can connect to. But of course hard to beat USA for.the natiional parks and people

    Reply
    • Thanks Lars! From the sound of your comment it seems you were not all that happy with Central America, am I right?
      Would appreciate to hear more…..
      Cheers Heike

      Reply
  16. Thank you for your honesty.
    Your photos are brilliant.

    Reply
  17. yes I cut my trip short both Mexixo and central america. not worth the bother with so many wonderful places in this world. Going back to the US end of Msrch southern Southwest states a loop.LA to Las Vegas.Hope you soon find an area that will make you happy Lars

    Reply
    • I’ll be riding out that way myself this March, April, and May, Lars. Perhaps we’ll cross paths on some desolate road. Met Heike on shores of Pyramid Lake, Nevada years ago. She was peddling north, i was peddling south. Been following her travels ever since.

      Reply
  18. Good Job Heike.
    I am from those parts also. I have no desire to go bike traveling there.
    You are free person, You decide what you like or dont.
    You decide when and why to quit.
    Great photos and great insight.

    Reply
  19. ” ran a ground in a harbor town lost the taste for being free” This blog reminds me of a line from a Bruce Cockburn song ” All The Diamonds”I personally loved Nicaragua but unlike you I was new to cycle touring and I was wide eyed for adventure so I guess the difference is you long time traveler a little jaded compared to all your past experiences and I was out of gate jonesing for adventure . Loved the photos as always amazed how you get those pics with out people seeing you. take care big ol hugs have a happy new year.
    Dan

    Reply
  20. Thanks for sharing, good text good pictures, best of luck!

    From Canada,

    Paul.

    Reply
  21. GREAT pictures! I’m just finding your blog and love your technique and colors. What kind of camera are you using?

    Reply
  22. The photographs make me like the place and when I was there as a backpacker I liked it but I was not a cyclist and so… everything changes from a cyclist perspective. You simply can’t like it all. Besides: it’s super annoying when people blame others for their so called misfortune, long after the misfortune happened, and assume you are the one to be blamed.

    Reply
    • Thanks very much Cindy for your Support !!
      Keep loving the road….

      Reply
  23. Interesting read, I guess all the negativity that’s flowing from this article must be supported by the exhaustion from the long journey. We are currently in Mexico and love it totally. So many warmhearted, generous people even if they don’t have much themselves. We didn’t like US, not happy people, always busy, dangerous traffic, national parks with stupid fees for cyclists as opposed to cars and because we have our best furry friends with us, we didn’t feel welcome in national parks either. And it’s so …predictable – US and Canada didn’t surprise us as they are very similar to Europe. Obviously beautiful, stunning nature and we met some lovely people but general feeling is “you do your thing, I do mine, don’t bother me”. Here in Mexico, we are approached all the time, people are cheering, truck drivers waving, about 90% less dangerous overtaking than in US and I could carry on like this ;-). So I’m really intrigued how Central America will be for us. Good luck to you!

    Reply
    • Thanks for your insides. That’s how different we all are. Because I love the Americans and Canadians. They supported me where ever they could. Super friendly people.
      Enjoy the ride…..Cheers Heike

      Reply
  24. Hi Heike,
    I am touched reading your confessions from this part of your trip. I can imagine the negative aspects you are describing have been spoiling your mood !
    Just an innocent and probably misfit question: why don’t get contact with warmshowers or couch surfing communities instead of staying on your own paying hotel each night. That way you should probably get a more intimate and personal contact with people and there daily culture, isn’t it ?!

    Or may be I’m missing something ?

    Reply
    • Hi Antoine….are you my bear spray friend from Russia?

      Yes you are right with what you are asking. I never used couchsurfing only warmshowers.

      In principle warmshowers is a good idea and I used it a few times. Practically it is not always so easy to use. I never know where I will end up at the end of the day. Hosts usually like to know a few days in advance when you will arrive…..and that is the reason why i love to use it only in really necessary situations.

      Enjoy the winter…..Cheers Heike

      Reply
  25. Yes I know, advises are always boring ! 😉
    I was just thinking aloud !
    But you must be right, WS should be difficult to use practically, I can imagine !

    Well, I wish you recover full motivation ! Why don’t you ride deep Africa now ? That is a true human experience which as no comparison.

    Wish you the best anyway !

    Reply
  26. Hi Heike, we met briefly in Guerrero negro Baja mexico last January. You were keen to see the whales and I hope you did. I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy Central America. I travelled through there as a solo backpacker and loved it though the poverty is oppressive in places and being on a bike would make it worse. Your pictures are just amazing! Frank and I are back in Baja now and were robbed yesterday so that feels sad. Mostly the people are kind and very hard working though focused on survival. I do encounter many Americans who come here for the warmth but don’t show any respect for the people so I get the negative views which come when people feel exploited. You are certainly an inspiration to me and I wish you all the best rolling forward. Meg

    Reply
    • Hi Meg, sure I remember you. Nice to hear from you. Sorry you got robbed – sadly sooner or later it happens….I am always saying as long as they are only after my belongings I don’t care all that much, but it makes you uncertain and devastated. It takes a few weeks to get over it.

      Unfortunately I didn’t see whales ;-(

      THanks for the big compliment….Cheers and all the best Heike

      Reply

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