Update from Nicaragua. Still beautiful, still breathing in the deep precious mountain air. Pictures coming soon. So far I have visited an eco-reserve, toured around a coffee producing coop community, layed about in a hammock for hours, drank delicious coffee and rum, saw tons of smiling faces, talked to a bunch of folk whom I love and miss, eaten tons of gallo pinto and now we are off to walk the streets of Matagalpa, my favorite Nicaraguan city.

Pictures soon!

Nicaragua, day 2.

I can´t even remember the day 1 entry. Wait, there wasnt one. No suprise I spent so much time wandering the streets of Ocotal like a born again puppy who was reliving his last car chasing attempt on the highway. It felt like I was inviting death and life back into me after having them barred from entering the premises for 7 months. I wasnt ready. And they left me rawer than before.

We pack and dash to catch buses. We sit, stare and pondering the passing greenscape. We miss buses, wander around cities, eat hot food, get a bag stolen and try to think of what to do next. We check email and hope for job opportunities, sublets and friends to have taken that next step. Sometimes they do, sometimes they dont. I dont know which is worse.

Next stop Miraflor. The misty mountains of ecotourism fame. It will be a good time for yummy food, lazy conversations, wet walks, adventures and memories. I am committed to working with my memories. Putting the extra effort into understanding and processing them so that I do not let myself get stuck in the rut that I was in my first time. It will be quiet yet challenging. Kind of how I like everything.

I can't believe I'm doing this.

Two weeks in Nicaragua then a move to San Francisco. Its not just a "move" either. It is a cross country road trip to a city I've never visited and through a country I don't know that well. But I'll be living there come Septemeber 1st. Holy 24 Years Old Batman!

It is so funny when people are like, "You are doing what? For how long? With who? What do you mean you dont have a plan? Are you crazy?" I have no idea of how to respond to those people, except with the normal: "No, I'm not crazy. Yes, Nicaragua. No, they are not going to kill me and they don't hate Americans. With my friends. Yes, I dont have a plan but thats the beauty. The transit and the adventure. Its not about the planned details, its about living the ideas. Thats what I cherish. Living the idea of what I want my life to be. Not someone else's vision or plan of what my life should be. Fuck that.

August is a beautiful month in New Jersey. Its hot muggy and big. Overwhelming in the best way possible. Its great wrapping up my time in Mahwah, NJ by spending a week on my bike visiting friends, pumping those last cups of coffee, squeezing in a few last minute dates and spending time with my mom, dad and little bro.

Its always awkward leaving. For me, its the ultimate hate love relationship. I love leaving but I hate going. Ive been saying that for years as I cross the Cleveland bridge on my way to one of the ubiquitious New York airports - JFK, EWR or LGA - it almost seems like a death sentence. But not really, Im being overly dramatic cause Sunday evenings tend to be a bit borning until the wine gets flowing and Im waiting for company before I pull any corks.