Nicaragua! Day 3

Well it took us a whole day but we made it to Managua, Nicaragua! The first morning we took a cab over to the train station and it was insane! I've never experienced something like that. People are trying to sell you things left and right. They will literally hold items in your face... you have to turn your head to make them leave.... "no gracias" didn't work... There were even little kids selling candy and colouring books. "Senorita, una dollar... una dollar!' So cute but Hilda warned me that kids will rob you blind. Anyways we took the "chicken bus" over to San Jorge. This bus ride was amazing. We saw more of Nicaragua... and more people. At every stop they would pack the bus fuller and fuller, and more vendors would get on to try and sell you things. Once we got to San Jorge we caught the ferry over to Isla Ometepe. It's a massive island. We are currently staying at Hotel Castillo. The people are SO friendly. We have felt so safe and welcome since we've arrived. Our spanish isn't great... but we've got by really well. Today we hiked up Volcan Concepion. I can't even explain how beautiful it was! We hiked for an hour uphill (in the rain) but it was still amazing. We saw monkeys... and tons of local cattle, pigs, dogs (who I fell in love with, and they followed me back to the hostel). We also tried many of the fruits we found growing along the way. We would just ask the tour guide "comer?" When we returned home, an english speaking guide Neftali, told us about Ojo de Aqua... it's a natural pool on the island, and it claims to make you feel 15 years younger. Well it was gorgeous! It was this giant pool, with lounge chairs, cervaza, and lots of sunlight. We met a bunch of other backpackers there, and got some tips about our next destination which is Granada. Our tour guide, Neftali is hilarious. He told us his girlfriend cheated on him so he ate her cat... and he was dead serious. He also told us that in war, we fed his enemies tea that would make them sterile... and once in a streetfight he did some karate move (he teaches martial arts) that left the guy sterile. haha. Needless to say I am having a great time!