Nicaragua ⁽²⁰⁾

I always have a checklist while packing never wondering if I forgot something ! We spend considerable time planning. As Admiral Painter (aka Fred Thompson) told Jack Ryan in The Hunt for Red October in his slow Tennessee drawl, "The average Russkie doesn't take a…

Cathedral de Santiago, Managua There’s something about long-term travel that’s relaxing and addictive. Travel soothes the soul and nourishes the mind. Once hooked, it’s tough to not crave more. When we are traveling, I am more relaxed and feel more stress-free than I have since…

"I want to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all he had to give." -Roberto Clemente As a young child, I remember falling in love with baseball. Baseball players were my heroes and my friends and I traded baseball cards for our favorites (Oh,…

Individual Taxi in Managua The city of Managua is a big place. Too big to walk everywhere and I wasn't adventurous enough yet to ride the local buses. Taxis seemed the most logical option for me but I struggled with telling taxi drivers where I…

Believe it or not, I, Steven Melnick, found Jesus. Yep. Not kidding. Right there in Nicaragua in the most unlikely place. Those who know me well are aware the last time I went to church regularly was for a date (seriously). But there, looking out over…