OK, I have to admit, I finally can’t stand the heat.  Those of you up north will pity me I’m sure as I suffer through daytime temperatures of 87-89 degrees (feels more like the 90s with the humidity) and night time lows in the low 70s.  Crystal clear blue skies and not a drop of rain since I arrived. As mentioned in an earlier post, I was staying in a small private apartment with no air conditioning.  I knew this going in.  I was determined to get used to it.  However, and that’s a big “however,” I found myself plotting and scheming about ways to avoid the heat.  No such luck.  It’s hot.  There’s no getting around it.  There’s no escape.

I wimped out and found a small boutique hotel in a different section of Managua a few days ago that is within walking distance of the Metrocentro Mall, a fairly large, indoor, air conditioned mall and it’s like heaven on earth.  The mall is fairly upscale with well known and recognizable stores.  It’s got a Food Court and there’s even a Cinnabon !!!  I am still away from the tourist traps and hardly anyone speaks any English so my immersion plan is still in play.  There are also several restaurants within walking distance that are unbelievably reasonable with their prices and the food is outstanding.

Although I feel bad about leaving the small apartment as my host was simply a delightful and welcoming lady, in the end, it has been a very good move.  I am far more comfortable during the midday heat, have learned to always walk on the shady side of the street, and have a sanctuary from the heat at night.  The hotel is wonderfully maintained, the staff are extremely friendly and accommodating and I am thoroughly enjoying the new digs.  The move has also shown me a different side of Managua.  While folks in this neighborhood still are not wealthy and speak almost no English, it appears slightly more prosperous.  In the previous place, I did not go out at all after dark.  In this neighborhood, I feel perfectly safe after dark as long as I stay away from the back streets and alleys.

The hotel front desk staff speak some English and that has made getting information about the area more accessible.  The rest of the staff speak no English (thank heaven for Google Translate), are very professional and courteous, and seem to be having a good time helping me with their language.  What sweethearts !  Just a small example… I had some laundry drying in the bathroom on my portable laundry line that I had done in the sink with travel laundry soap sheets.  As an aside, I’ve used this “system” for a couple of years now while traveling and it works great.  While I was out, the maid came in to fix up the room and saw the wet laundry on the line.  She pulled it down and took it over to their dryer, folded it and it was all sitting on the corner of the bed when I came back.  The hotel only has about 15-20 rooms but is very well run, exceptionally clean, and they sell beer at the front desk. What could possibly be better !