Any of you guys traveled there in the past few months (since all the unrest started)? Have a trip booked in August including a stop in Northern Nica, just wondering if anyone has a first hand report from there. Should I plan on skipping Nica?
met some surfer kid that was doing Peace Corps work in Nica a few weeks ago out in the lineup. He reminded me of Trevolution (aka El Frothy) in appearance and stoke level. About a week later I saw him after he came in from a big lumpy out of control swell that nobody else was surfing. He asked me if I was going out, and said it was "good" lol and was about to go out again. That's when I knew that I had found El Frothy's doppelganger. Anyways, his story is that the situation isn't really all that bad, and is mostly centered near Managua of course. That activity has not reached the coastline for the most part yet. But they were sent home anyway because our govt has issued certain warnings, and the Peace Corps is a quasi-gov't agency. There's been nothing about it in any of our typical media sources so I'd guess it's ok. Just to be safe, I'd do some searches and dig up any recent news on the activity and react accordingly. I know enough Spanish to either get myself out of trouble, or get myself in deeper lol. I've had very good luck so far, knock on wood. Buena Suerte
Thanks for the info P. I'm thinking it will be fine, just my buddy going with me....his wife won't shut up about it....ughhh
Go to the US State Dept online, and see what they say. Having said that, they always "worse case" situations because they believe their job is to protect us morons for wanting to go there. I have a good friend that lives there, and I have heard nothing bad from him. Take a lot of $5 bills with you. Use as small bribes when you get stopped repeatedly by local cops. They want the bribes, I am told.
Thanks for the info Barry, will bring plenty of $5's with me. Please, let me know if your buddy has any issues down there. My buddy lives in Managua so I don't have any intel on the coast. That State Dept has it a level 3 (reconsider travel), same as Sinaloa and El Salvador and I've spent many a nights at both. Again, I'm thinking it will be fine, just this guys wife won't quit.
Which one of you wants to fuck the crocodiles?? Inquiring minds want to know....<grin> Hope you have a nice trip. Don't forget to send us a postcard. Say "hi" to Mom. She wants you to always wear clean underwear in case of an accident.
For fuck sake man where is your sense of adventure we've had this discussion before.. Just go... Butch up and go. Its the adventure of getting there as much as it is a destination for surf.
Was in La Liberdad in Sept 03. Got shook down by a federal eat some small town close to “dentas del diablo “, a weird mountain range inland. He got me for 22 bucks. Never keep your real wad on you. Keep a decoy wad of 5’s and 1’s just in case. I’ve been shook down by cops or federales in Cabo, puerto Vallarta, El Salvador, and rio de janiero.
In other countries i’ve Given “bachshish “ or tips, which is kinda like extortion a bit, but more civilized than outright robbery.
We call the shakedown "paying the juice". Reference was culturally appropriated from the gambling world. Always keep a small stash in order to pay the juice.
If your buddy lives in Managua he should be able to let you know whether to come or not. The worst of it is in Managua I believe but a lot of other towns are affected (Estelli, Masaya, Matagalpa). Last I heard was there were a lot of roadblocks setup so moving around can be difficult. There's been like 200 people die since April. In some cases/areas food/supplies/gas can be limited. Many Nicaraguans are fleeing. The coasts are not experiencing anything like the inner cities but again resources and supplies may be limited and getting to the coast may be difficult. I have a friend that fled to Costa Rica, he told me that it was really bad and he was scared for him and his families lives. Supposedly peace talks and what not are under way. Things could get better or worse between now and then. Like I said, I would just talk to your buddy in Managua. My friend just recently told me to definitely not come and we have a business relationship which could've put money in his pocket, he still told me not to come. Keep an eye on the situation.
Residents are fleeing for the lives and surfers coming to visit...how ironic. Seen some footage of roadblocks and burning tires. No thanks. As the gov't loses control, some of the criminal elements begin to get more power. Make sure you have a good kidnap and ransom insurance policy. LOL
Buddy in Managua says it is bad, but the guy I stay with says he has had no issues whatsoever bringing people in and out of the camp. So at the moment, I def leaning towards going but keeping an eye on the situation. Not gonna lie, something about being in the midst of a uprising is a bit appealing to me.
