Three Months of Self-Quarantine: Nica Nugget #97

It is our three-month anniversary of self-quarantining. It began when Costa Rica announced that they were closing their border, because suddenly that made the Pandemic seem locally real (since the Nicaragua government was saying little and the Costa Rica border, which we often cross to access flights to the States and back, is just a 50-minute drive away). At first we worried about the possibility of there being disruptions to food, propane and purified water being brought into town. So we made sure our propane tanks were filled and bought two extra 5-gallon jugs and stocked our pantry shelves just …

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The Estuary Cut Open to the Sea: Nica Nugget #96

Tonight, when John and I walked down to the beach to watch the sunset, we were surprised by all the people at the Talanguera end of the beach, which is near where we live. People playing soccer. Sitting in beach chairs (which is not a common sight). Swimming. Walking. Running. Digging in the sand. And then we turned south along the beach towards town and were surprised by the new, huge cut in the sand between the estuary and the sea. We got there just in time to watch as the machine that made the cut was trailered away. Yes, …

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A Most Amazing Hike: Nica Nugget #93

I’m lying on my bed exhausted. But that good kind of exhausted. Today I had a wonderful surprise. I saw vistas I’ve never seen before and walked on trails I’ve never trod and never even knew existed. I had my jaw drop open from beauty, and from surprise like a kid on Christmas. And basically in my own front yard! It is almost 3 months since John and I began our “self-quarantine.” And since we don’t have a car, we have spent three months only going places we can walk. Fortunately, we chose where we live for the wonderful walks …

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Bringing Our Boats In: Nica Nugget #92

Last weekend’s weather forecast called for a severe storm. Fishermen brought their boats in. The severe storm missed us, lashing out at El Salvador to the north of us instead. But our waves were big and loud. And our high tide was very high. The rains came and the brown of landscape turned a glorious riotous green. Workers with machinery arrived at the estuary and punched a channel out from the river to the sea. So the river could easily flow with the rains and not get all choked up. In my home country, the United States, the forecast is …

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