A run in with the Golden Girls and a bandito

Today we decided to go to Ometepe.
 It's an island in the middle of lake Nicaragua made by two volcanos. This
island offers hiking, waterfalls,a nature preserves, volcano climbing ,coffee
farm tours, a natural spring swimming hole and beaches and restaurants to name
a few. With its many hostels, its a favorite destination for the young and
green to go and spend a few days hiking around the island.
 It was a long drive through the mountains on winding roads. I think it was
probably very scenic and had some great views but I was kind of nervous about
taking my eyes off the road for long enough to enjoy it.    We got an early
start so we could catch the 9:00 ferry across lake Nicaragua.
 The traffic at the ferry was tight. Car were parked in line just inches from
each other. Taxis were trying  to squeeze there way in to pick up passengers
getting off  the next ferry. One of the attendant came up to the car and our
interpreter informed him that we planned to park, ride the ferry across and
have a guide show us around the island. He showed us where to park and
introduced us to Hector.
 Hector was a slick, nervy ,little nicaraguan. He spoke pretty good English
and used it often. I think it made him feel cool or worldly. He'd tell stories
like how he was shotgunning beers on a booze cruise and say " I'm pretty
crazy,right. " Or the time he and a friend jet skied across lake nicaragua,
which has very big waves and the worlds only fresh water sharks. "That's pretty
crazy too right. "
  Because of our lack of time we were leaning toward doing one thing like a
hike around the volcano to a 160ft. Waterfall. Hector said we could squeeze in
3 or 4 locations so we could see more of the island. Since we had never been
there , we took his advice.
 After boarding the ferry for our ride to the other side we realized Hector
had another group touring the island with him today.
 They were four elderly Belgium women we referred to as the Golden Girls. As
luck would have it they wanted to see the same places  as Hector suggested to
us. A coffee farm, a natural spring swimming pool and the nature preserve. He
also told us the 4:30 and 5:30 ferrys were canceled and we would have to take
the 3:30 to get back today. Trying to squeeze everything in and stop for lunch
, at a restaurant of his choice, before 3:30 was a rat race.
 When we got off the ferry in Ometepe,the golden girl went in a van with
Hector and we were told to get in another van with a young local named Luis.
Luis instantly had his eye on Lindsey and once he found out she spoke his
language he ask her to sit up front him.
 The rest of the day is kind of a blurr.
 Drive- coffee farm- drive- eat - drive- spring pool- drive-nature preserve-
drive- ferry - drive home.
   Although coffee is out of season this time of year, no bean not even a cup
of coffee  at the coffee farm ,the day was not a total waste. We did see some
monkeys and I swam in a natural spring that is suppose to make you look five
year younger. You can let me know how that worked next time you see me.
   The long drive back through the dark ,winding mountain roads put us back in
Pochomil late again. We decided to stop at our favorite bar/restaurant for a
bite to eat and head home to pack our bags. Tomorrow we leave the beach house
and head for Muy Muy. Another long drive but we get to hang out there for two
days before flying home. We get to experience "Lindsey's  Life In Nicaragua"
first hand. I can't wait.