Post Eruption Earthquake Right On Time

We were waiting for it after the eruption of Telica and it and Mother Earth did not disappoint and remind us again who really is in charge. Earthquaketrack reported a 4.7 magnitude earthquake today in Leon. Man, there really is a website for everything. Anyways, we were setting up to watch the parade of Parade of Myths and Legends / Mitos y Leyendas Desfile. This is one of so many parades in Leon as these people march, party and celebrate for any reason possible, and it is always with drums and it is always loud. This is an annual parade honoring exactly what it says. They myths and legends of Nicaragua.  Here is a link to a YouTube Video from one a few years ago. It's fun, colorful and as I mentioned, freaking loud. 

Well our heroes are sitting in our well places rocking chairs sipping an adult beverage and enjoying the growing chaos unfolding in front of us. Lines and pods of people forming along and on the street getting ready for the big moment. Suddenly you could see everyone kind of pause and look around. There was no fear but just "ah yeah I felt that" looks on the faces followed by knowing smiles and then the beat went on. I was rocking on my chair so I guess I just went in beat with the shaking of the Earth because I really did not feel anything.

There is a teacher here, Lauren who hails from Baltimore. She appeared about 5 minutes later with a real perplexed look on her face. She said she was just hanging out in bed watching a movie and suddenly her bed started moving forward and then back. She jumped out of bed, put on some street clothes, rushed and opened the door to see what was happening. She did not know about the parade so when she looked into the street she immediately saw hundreds of people walking down the street. She said she had a moment of "holy crap" the are evacuating the city. It then took a few minutes to register that it was not an evacuation but a parade. She still looked a bit unnerved telling us the story so we did not have the heart to torture her about it.

Tomorrow 4 of us are heading out to trek Volcen Cosigüina with Quetzel Trekkers who tossed in a free Tee Shirt. Its 100% cotton so it realistically has a life span of about 5 washes. Here are the Trek Details. It should be easy enough although there are a couple of raw rookies coming along. The ever present Paige and another former TEFL grad McCall. There has been lots of "I am so out of shape, "am I going to die", "how hard is it" conversations. It will be great to see these two dig deep and complete this climb thus adding a new tool to their travel toolbox. 

I have finally finished Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon. I mean this should have been a weekend read but alas I have lugged it around the better part of 4 months. There are amazing quotes, observations, historical facts, stories, interesting people and what I perceive as an opening of awareness for the author. Thus began his life's work resulting from his darkest days.

Fun Fact
Scientists have discovered that chocolate was invented at least 3,100 years ago in Central America by the Aztecs and not as the sweet treat people now crave, but as a celebratory beer-like beverage and status symbol.
-- I now love the Aztecs