Volcano sledding and Virgin Mary Celebrating in Leon, Nicaragua—8/14-15, 2022

By leaving early from El Cuco, we arrived just as the El Amatillo Border crossing from El Salvador to Honduras opened at 7 AM with just one other bus before us. 

The Honduran government had us verify our COVID-19 vaccination status using our cell phones to access their online tracking system—Lily helped complete this process.

We then crossed over to the Honduras Immigration office where my official decided to change things up and instructed us to have one person collect the $3 USD entry fee.  It was a very quick process compared to the next crossing to Nicaragua.

We then re-boarded our minibus and drove across Honduras to the reputed most challenging border crossing at Guasaule from Honduras to Nicaragua.  We then had to take our luggage and go through two checkpoints and then enter the Nicaragua Immigration office.  Dennis, our guide, had us pile up our bags and we gave our passports to Steve along with our entry fee of $13 USD.  Fortunately, this immigration hall had A/C since we waited there for an hour and a half while Dennis worked his magic in a back room with some kind words and a bit of cash.

Dennis was pleased that we got through quickly compared to the last time he came through when it took him 3 hours.  We ended up walking about a half mile to our different minibus for the 3-hour drive to Leon where they were celebrating the Virgin Mary miracle that was claimed to end the 6 days of volcanic eruptions from the nearby Cero Negro volcano.

The cathedral and plaza were filled with celebrants complete with fireworks including el toro who shot fireworks into the surging crowds.

Meanwhile, large dancing women puppets titled “Estrella” were turning about to the music in front of the cathedral while a masked pig-faced character teased them.  The women puppets represented the Spanish oppressors and the pig character with the huge head represented the Nicaraguan people who were smarter because of their larger brains.

We enjoyed dinner at the Via Via restaurant and were entertained by a dozen Dutch guys enjoying shots of rum.  I lost count at 10 shots.  The following morning we saw them driving up to the volcano as we were leaving.

The following morning, our local guide, Danny, took us up to the Cero Negro volcano so we could sled down in our Mario Bros suits, gloves, and goggles. 

When we were at the top, we felt the heat of the volcano under our feet.  It took us 45 minutes to reach the summit.  Danny said a 94-year-old woman hiked up in 25 minutes and did it twice while another time a few NFL players barely made it to the top.

It was then time for the exciting ride down—some said I was the fastest and others thought it was Bea—-none of us approached the speed record of 96 km/hr.

While on the bus, Danny gave us the rundown on the troubled history of Nicaragua including the killing of over 140 students during the 2018 demonstrations by the police and military.

We returned to the Estacion hotel by 11AM for quick showers to wash off the volcanic ash we were covered by. 

We boarded our minibus for a 5-hour ride to Granada where we would spend 2 nights and explore one of the oldest “New World” cities in Central America with its combination of Moorish, Andalusia, and Colonial architecture.  

I have recently uploaded all of my travel videos to YouTube now that they allow longer uploads and you may want to see my travel adventures there as well as my other travel videos.  That link is https://www.youtube.com/c/huntforgold

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