We have arrived in Granada, Nicaragua and quickly enrolled in a Spanish Immersion Program

Saturday November 21, 2015, 39 miles (63 km) – Total so far: 13,125 miles (21,123 km)

The day we arrived in Managua I had my first puncture of this trip and my first since Serbia last year May. That’s pretty good for all the miles since Serbia so I can’t complain. My hat is off to Schwalbe Mondial 26×2 foldable tires. We have been on some very rough tiring cutting roads and they hold up day after day. Jocelyn had a puncture in northern California and before that I believe it was last March in Spain.

After a great night in Managua we peddled 39 miles to Granada. Granada is a Nicaraguan city on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Founded in 1524 it is home to multiple Spanish colonial landmarks that have survived repeated pirate invasions. The city’s main plaza, Central Park, is dominated by the colorful, neoclassical facade of the Cathedral of Granada, originally dating to 1583. The Centro Cultural Convent San Francisco nearby is famed for its displays of pre-Columbian statues. We cycled to the Oasis Hostel then found out about the many Spanish Immersion Programs in this old colonial town. We ran into a Canadian friend, Gilles that we met in Leon and spent the evening discussing Spanish. Gilles arrived right after us. We didn’t know he was headed our way so it is a small world.

That night and the next morning we researched the different Spanish lessons available here and chose Nicaragua Mia Spanish School (http://spanishschoolnicaraguamia.com/). We also took advantage of their home stay accommodations and picked a Nicaraguan family to live with for a week during our lessons. The instruction is for 20 hours/5 days. Yesterday we moved from the hostel to this wonderful house and friendly family who speaks very little English because that is the whole point. When not in class we converse with them in Spanish. We figured we had enough time to spend a week here and we really do want to get much better in Spanish. The cost is great too. We each have our own teacher at $100 each for the week and the home stay is another $100 each. This includes three meals a day too. This can’t be beat. We had our first lesson today and after four hours I was conversing with my teacher in Spanish! She was asking me questions and I was answering fairly well. We both have homework too! Our last class in next Wednesday and we will be back on the road Thursday.

The following nine pictures were taken by our volcano boarding tour leader. I posted our pictures two posts ago. This is the start of the climb.
The following nine pictures were taken by our volcano boarding tour leader. I posted our pictures two posts ago. This is the start of the climb.
I am slow but sure. Just like my biking.
I am slow but sure. Just like my biking.

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Cool shot of my feet.
Cool shot of my feet.

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Still going.
Still going.
Another classic moment.
Another classic moment.
Learning how to sit on the board and steer. Not an easy feat.
Learning how to sit on the board and steer. Not an easy feat.
The last picture before we went down. There are no pictures of us during the descent. I did wear my helmet mounted Drift Innovation Ghost camera and got some great video.
The last picture before we went down. There are no pictures of us during the descent. I did wear my helmet mounted Drift Innovation Ghost camera and got some great video.
The road was full this day.
The road was full this day.
Granada, Nicaragua founded in 1524.
Granada, Nicaragua founded in 1524.
A really cool Spanish colonial town.
A really cool Spanish colonial town.

We need to try this trick...not.
We need to try this trick…not.
A very fine furniture store...
A very fine furniture store…
...and bicycle shop.
…and bicycle shop.
Jocelyn and I shared a litro of Tona beer for lunch.
Jocelyn and I shared a litro of Tona beer for lunch.
A fine cathedral.
A fine cathedral.
Cooking tamales in our homestay.
Cooking tamales in our homestay.
Tamales!
Tamales!
We are on the second floor of this beautiful home. Our room door is open with two full beds and complete bath.
We are on the second floor of this beautiful home. Our room door is open with two full beds and complete bath.
Our bikes are secure in the living room.
Our bikes are secure in the living room.
A map of Nicaragua showing where we came in from the gulf of Fonseca and cycled south. We will next enter Costa Rica. We hope anyway as we have been told the border is off and on closed.
A map of Nicaragua showing where we came in from the gulf of Fonseca and cycled south. We will next enter Costa Rica. We hope anyway as we have been told the border is off and on closed.
Coming down the steps from the second floor. The entire house is open. There are only doors and walls for the bedrooms.
Coming down the steps from the second floor. The entire house is open. There are only doors and walls for the bedrooms.
Our Spanish school!
Our Spanish school!
Mike is back at school.
Mike is back at school.
This is our homestay street view with white gate.
This is our homestay street view with white gate.
Looking through to the kitchen/dining room. This has a very interesting layout.
Looking through to the kitchen/dining room. This has a very interesting layout.
Our home stay provides three meals a day. This is a classic Nicaraguan chicken lunch cooked by Maria.
Our home stay provides three meals a day. This is a classic Nicaraguan chicken lunch cooked by Maria.

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6 thoughts on “We have arrived in Granada, Nicaragua and quickly enrolled in a Spanish Immersion Program

  1. Mucho gusto, Kevin. Las Navidad luces se pone son preciosas. Fue un placer conversar con usted. Que te vaya bien. Miguel.

    Nice to meet you Kevin. The Christmas lights you put up are beautiful. It was a pleasure talking with you. Goodbye, have a good day.

  2. Hi Mr. Rice and daughter.
    I am Kevin from your homestay. I hope you has enjoyed stay here in our city, we always will feel glad that you come here to visit us.
    Have fun your adventures Jocelyn and Michael.
    Hola Sr Rice.
    soy Kevin del hostal en Granada. Espero que ustedes hayan disfrutado estar aquí en nuestra ciudad, nosotros siempre nos sentiremos contentos que ustedes vengan a visitarnos. Diviertanse mucho.

  3. Thanks Andee and also thanks for the spelling correction. I changed it. Sometimes I am so tired during a post that I fail to check before the final post. It’s tough to maintain this website. We just completed our third day and glad we started Saturday as the school was full of new students for the week. What a great way to learn and we really are learning!

    The home stay is so comfortable and homey with the family. The food is great. We went out last night because they spend Sundays out so we were on on our own. They serve dinner at 6 then we retire to our room. I’ve been in bed by 7:30. I found Julio’s (owner) barber today and I just got back from a “buzz” cut. Jocelyn under the weather because of the super hot wings we ate last night. They were good but I was up at 1 with an upset stomach. Fun times in Nicaragua! Take care. Love you.

  4. I really envy this home stay and know that you are doing something very important. Please have fun learning Spanish and come home to practice with me! I like the idea that you are with a family and sharing some awesome experiences. Looks like great food too! Stay safe and keep planning for the next part of your amazing journey! Love always, andee

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