“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”
― Terry Pratchett
We are off island for a grand journey to Cuba, Mexico, and then the United States. It has been a busy week. I won’t be posting from Cuba, but when we get settled in Mexico, prepare for a hundred shots of the old cars of Cuba. On my first date with my husband, he picked me up in a 1950 Chevy! And it got better…on our second date, he picked me up in a 1956 limo. We are old car lovers.
Here is a review of our past week.
Robinson opened his Island Cafe restaurant. It used to be the American Cafe and Hotel. We wanted Robinson to name it Robinson’s Crusoe, but he felt more comfortable calling it the Island Cafe and Hotel.
What a change paint makes! The restaurant used to be off white with red plastic chairs and blue plastic tables. Now, it is so chic! 
Robinson bought a fancy espresso machine. It is going to be a big hit on Ometepe Island.
Last Friday, the Fuego y Agua Survival Run took place. We worked the check station in Los Ramos. Fifty one runners started and only two finished. It is a brutal competition with twelve challenges in addition to running up and down both of our volcanoes.
The runners had to carry a five gallon bucket of water for about three kilometers up hill from Los Ramos. Actually, this was a daily task for the locals who lived in Los Ramos.
They rented bicycles from the other side of the island and rode to the check in station before us, where they had to swim and dive under a boat and pick up a rock on the bottom of the lake. Mind you, this was the second day of the race. They had already climbed Maderas volcano the evening before.
At our station, they had five tries to hit a target with a homemade sling shot. Paul, in this photo, was the winner of the race after more than 24 hours.
There is a new chicken bus on the island! The name cracks me up!
Today we had a celebration and a goodbye party for Emilie, a Canadian volunteer, at our La Paloma Elementary school.
The kids danced, sang, and partied with Emilie!
We sure will miss her! Happy trails Emilie.
Why do we go away? So we can come back, of course! We’ll see Ometepe Island with new eyes and lush green colors because when we return, the rainy season will have started.
Meanwhile, enjoy some of my past posts. The internet is hard to find in Cuba and when we do find it, it is expensive, so until April, I won’t be posting. Yikes! I will be in internet withdrawal.
Hasta Abril mis amigos!
This might be too later. In Cuba you are required to change your money into their money. When American dollars are exchanged 10% is taken off the top. It is better to take Canadian money
I wish you an amazing and once in a lifetime experience! Cuba is amazing to enjoy every day, especially not being bombarded bu internet news!
We just returned from Cuba and it was amazing, but very frustrating as a traveler trying to make reservations or contact our family.
Good stories! We are looking forward to your Cuban “Trip Report” and I bet we get a lot of photos.
Some people without a cedula have asked would this make a new good passport stamp run from Nicaragua. Better than a trip to the Costa Rica border. Any comments on that appreciated by them.
I’d like to go too.
wow; it would be great to one day witness that competition.. what an endurance and test of skills! those are some strong men!!!!
i hope that you have a wonderful journey!
Have an incredible time Debbie! Can’t wait to hear all about your travels!
Thanks, Nicole. Your Cuba pages gave me lots and lots of information. Thanks for that.
Have an amazing time which I know you will!!!!
Nice Post Deb!
Thanks, Susan and John. I love the new look of your blog. You will have to tell me how difficult it was to transfer everything over to the new theme.
Hello Debbie!
I, too, tried to convince Robinson to name it ‘Robinson Crusoe’, I even pulled up some graphics to show him for a ‘logo’. But he wouldn’t bite! My wife suggested ‘The Island” I also suggested “de la Isla”. Oh well…
We spent some time at the new place teaching them how to make homemade bread, pancakes, hash browns, etc. Not sure if they’ll add all that to the menu, but it was fun either way!
Have fun in Cuba, a friend went last year and was amazed at the old cars. He was picked up in a classic limo and driven everywhere in it! You’ll really enjoy it there. Smart people from what I hear!
We’ll guard the island ’till you get back!
Steve
Steve, that is so funny! He said he would be embarrassed to have his name on his hotel. The hash browns were the best! When we return, we will have to get together. I’ll bet we passed you on the street in Moyo and had no idea. Have you seen our orange dune buggy in Moyo? When we return, look for us in the orange pumpkin.
I’m travelling this week, too… back to the US for a few days. I feel a bit of a wimp, really… going to run a half marathon at the Alamo, but no buckets of water to carry, no sling shots to master, and definitely no volcanoes to run up and down! Safe travels, you two :)!
You are definitely not a wimp! Good luck, Sandra.
Safe travels.
Thanks Ernesto.