Another Trip to Managua

Had to bust my butt, and return in the pouring rain, but the needed part is at the mechanics, and hope to be on the road in less than 48 hours.

Gone Volcano Boarding

One of the youngest volcanoes in the world, Cerro Negro last erupted in 1999. 140 years before that, a flat valley of soy fields suddenly changed, as if a massive hand came lurching out of the earth to touch the sky! And, we now were to toboggan down it at 80 km per hour. Upon return to base, I willingly jumped into the iguana tank for 20 cordobas, took up close photos of wasps drinking watermelon juices, and chronicled a few other interesting life forms.

I had a great time chumming up with some new friends, as we hiked, ate, swam and sweated our way through the Cerro Negro highlands, catching a bus back to Leon. Felt wonderful to be outside and explore.

http://www.quetzaltrekkers.com/

The Fundamentals of Thought

There are three conditions of existence. These three conditions comprise life. They are be, do and have.

He himself cannot obtain enough identity to feel he has an identity. Identity is so scarce that its too valuable. Nobody must have one. To be with such a person is therefore an uncomfortable experience since he does not credit our identity, does not grant us beingness.

Usually yellow and brown people, the white does not usually believe he can get attention from matter or objects. The yellow and brown believe for the most part, and it is all a matter of consideration, that rocks, trees, walls, etc. can give them attention. The white man seldom believes this and so is likely to become anxious about people.

Attention is a method of knowing. Inattention is a method of notknowing.

An artist stops his work when he believes he can no longer create an effect.

When a man has a problem very thoroughly and cant solve it, he really has too few problems. He needs more. The insanity among the idle is a matter of problem scarcity.

Despite the amount of suffering, pain, misery, sorrow, and travail which can exist in life, the reason for existence is the same reason as one has to play a game, interest, contest, activity and possession.

If a thetan can suffer from anything, it is being outcreated. The manifestations of being outcreated would be the destructino of his own creations and the overpowering presence of other creations. Thus a thetan can be brought to believe that he is trapped if he is outcreated.

excerpts from Scientology the fundamentals of thought

my note check out wikipedias history on L. Ron Hubbard to see what the guy behind these words, and what he was really like

We never get what we want,
We never want what we get,
We never have what we like,
We never like what we have.
And still we live & love.
That's life...

The best kind of friends,
Is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with,
Never say a word,
And then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

It's true that we don't know
What we've got until it's gone,
But it's also true that we don't know
What we've been missing until it arrives..

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back!
Don't expect love in return;
Just wait for it to grow in their heart,
But if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone,
An hour to like someone,
And a day to love someone,
But it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away..
Go for someone who makes you smile,
Because it takes only a smile to
Make a dark day seems bright.
Find the one that makes your heart smile!

May you have
Enough happiness to make you sweet,
Enough trials to make you strong,
Enough sorrow to keep you human,
And enough hope to make you happy.

Always put yourself in others' shoes.
If you feel that it hurts you,
It probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people
Don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
Happiness lies for
Those who cry,
Those who hurt,
Those who have searched,
And those who have tried,
For only they can appreciate the importance of people
Who have touched their lives.

When you were born, you were crying
And everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so that when you die,
You're the one who is smiling
And everyone around you is crying.

-Anonymous

Tough NUt

I had regretted my decision to take on the teaching job, but felt it necessary to go down to Olla Que Mada, as I had given my word to do so. The music, and company turned out to be wonderful, and I casually conversed and teased with most everyone at the table. Turned out to be a great night, but much too much rum and coke. The morning was filled with dread, but I walked it out, and came up with some ideas for the class.

By the time I had gotten to Quetzal Trekkers, I was hoping secretly that they wouldnt answer the door. I just felt sick at the thought of having to go into a classroom again. Well, I did it, and I was fine. The administrator praised me, and said he had never seen the students so engaged before. But I just wasnt comfortable, and was looking at the watch, hoping for it to end.

I whiled away the afternoon watching Braveheart for the first time. Like the story of Che, a man dies for what he believes in, betrayed by the very people he stood to die for. Like Jesus. There was something that I related to there, being so virtuous in my love for people, then hating them for not idolizing me.

I am not sure if I am the only one to develop a coping strategy of ..... if I dont succeed at something Im actually denying to myself that I enjoy or feel comfortable at, I need to work harder and make it work, because if I dont I am a failure.

The afternoon was spent dreaming about what a job would look like that I actually felt comfortable in. I would excel like nobodys business, and be in the top of my field in only a few years. Thats whats on the line.

Inspired also to realize that we share the same cells as plant life, only our cells have adapted to a slightly different way of existing.

Why Arent I Doing What I Love?

I caught myself in one of the most destructive patterns that has shaped my entire work career yesterday. A local guy was chatting with me about his tshirt manufacturing business, and I immediately started thinking I have to do that too. I have to talk to people, I should make lots of money in business, I need to network. The fact is, I hate networking. I find it boring and ridiculous. I like to have fun talking with people, not trying to get them to buy my widget by the truckload. Most know I am a person whos all for stretching oneself and going outside of the envelope, but when I feel ill just thinking about having to do something, that is the sign.

So, why not see what is possible for myself living into a world of fun, attraction, attention, interest, ease, passion and creation? I let go of a world of struggle and doing what I am supposed to do.


http://everydaybright.com/2011/02/why-arent-you-doing-what-you-love/

http://www.ted.com/talks/gary_vaynerchuk_do_what_you_love_no_excuses.html

http://www.joyful-work-for-sensitive-people.com/

And now, its 6:42 pm, and Ive agreed to meet Connor at 7 pm at Quetzal Trekkers to talk about volunteer teaching English to a group of 14 to 15 year olds tomorrow. All the same old stuff is coming up for me and I am feeling stressed in only 15 minutes. I feel really worked up. All the same old jason brain stuff is coming up right in my face and I am finding it really hard to cope. Feel like I am falling off the edge of sanity. All because I feel SO scared to screw up in front of someone else.

I am considering telling him it is not really my thing. Its a confusing situation, but in my own reality, I cant deal with a class not being perfect. And so I miss out.

Case in Point

The oil leak is located around the starter, the cylindrical shaped piece on the right hand side of the photo.

















This is a photo of the complete gearbox assembly. The shaft would normally be seen inserted into the left hand side here. My mechanic said that the whole unit must be sold intact, as everything is shimmed &machined to work perfectly together, and its not prudent to mix and match. In fact, Yamaha does not sell individual parts inside the gear box. The part will be shipped out by DHL this afternoon. We have a DHL office here in Leon, and with Dave separating freight and cost of item, and keeping one of the receipts out of the box, I think it is all we can do to make it easier this time.

Tiger Mom

A Chinese American mom who steadfastly used tough love and exacting standards while raising her two daughters, Amy Chua writes an unapologetic book on the differences between Western and Eastern parenting. Ive yet to read it aside from the reviews, but it pulled at me simply for my own struggle with the concept of a strict upbringing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Hymn_of_the_Tiger_Mother

And in a completely different vein, a short article that says its ok to pace and walk around when thinking.

http://clicks.robertgenn.com/stand-up.php

Thanks

My friend messaged me this map this morning and said I scored 644. Thanks Bob.

http://mayancalendar4u.com/userFiles/305/image_yl60cp.jpg

Wasnt the world supposed to end....... again?





Now Im feeling ready to talk less, and do more physically. Ready to watch the Canucks game though; the two feelings are related. Ive always felt the need to align myself with the tough jocks when need be. I am equal parts tough jock and sensitive sap, not to mention a myriad of other things. But I am aware of my need to be perceived as a manly man, despite not really acting that way, or feeling that way all the time.

Finally, a woman had emailed me a few times and shared herself. I finally put two and two together to realize she was someone I knew. I responded to her a few times, and wondered how much I would have changed if I had realized I knew her. Secondly, how much more I trust someone when they are a friend of a friend.

Bang

Wracked with worry of how I was going to keep going with oil leaking out of my engine, it was surprising how fast I reacted to the car in the opposite lane turn directly in front of me. At highway speed of around 90 km per hour, I immediately cried out ¨NNNOOO!!!¨ and prepared for impact.

I had milliseconds to improve my situation. Tining on the brakes, I tried my hardest to turn the bike and somehow avoid it but it was no use. The bike slammed into the rear bumper, and the next few moments was like riding a 600 pound gorilla. It was as if the bike was abruptly ready to lay down and begin its onerous slide into the ditch, and then suddenly it slammed itself upright, only to do the same thing on the other side. My legs were flailing trying to keep balance and somehow regain control in case of oncoming traffic. I was reeling from the impact.

I momentarily found myself parked on the side of the road. Miraculously the front tire looked intact, although 2 of three head lamp lights were popped right out of their sockets, and a 1 inch thick round metal guard was bent back on itself right onto the right foot brake. I heard a woman wailing, and the sense of people gathering. There was no hesitation, and no opportunity to complain, cry, or get upset. I needed to get help. My leg was starting to hurt a bit at the ankle and knee, but I ignored it and started walking back to the scene. Was it my fault?

The car´s driver approached me as soon as I arrived on foot, and I realized right away he knew his guilt. ¨Tranquillo, tranquillo¨, he kept saying in a hoarse voice, his stress apparent. I thought later he was just as surprised as I was to be impacted suddenly by such a massive force. I told him ¨listen, I dont want money but I do need help to get my bike going again, and to find a hotel and some food.¨ He was assuring and staying calm, which was a relief.

By now a large crowd had gathered around the bike, inspecting the situation as often happens in small town Latin America. I took charge, and asked if anyone had a bar long enough to bend the guard back into place, and take it off the brake. One guy said he did, and promptly brought it back. Two of us held the bike back, as he jerked the bar hard enough to show movement in the guard in the right direction. It was working so well, we went too far the other way, and put a gash in it. I was fine with that, saying I would just get a welder to fix it up. In all honesty, I just wanted to get away from all the attention, and somehow deal privately with what had happened.

Before I had a chance to really appreciate being alive, I heard a grinding noise coming from the tire, and knew I had to stop. My 1 month forced vacation may have been slightly shorter, and cheaper if I hadnt pushed it the first time I heard serious problems. So I promptly turned around, and found someone to ask where a hotel was. This had to be looked at in the morning. Found a guy, and he said Jinotepe would be the best bet, 7 km down the road.

A welcome was soon to come my way, with a nice little hotel and a receptionist who spoke English. I was so messed up, I didnt want to speak spanish anymore. My knee, and ankle were starting to throb, so I was glad when she offered for me to bring the bike into the lobby, and gave me a close room. I showered, changed, asked for a restaurant, promptly went there and downed 2 rum and cokes, and 2 beers. The restaurant staff came over and sat with me for a bit, as I invited them to come and join in my happiness to be alive.

The next day was spent finding someone to repair the front disc brake. Several stores denied us, us being me and the hotel staffer who volunteered to help me find a solution. We ended up finding a brake store, who made new brakes for me, then grinded down the areas that were rubbing on the metal, on my suggestion. A lengthy process, but only cost about 7 bucks. I went back to the hotel and threw all my stuff on the bike.....which was leaking a lot of oil still. I was cursing that mechanic let me tell you.

70 km later, the clunking started. I knew I was going to be stranded, but I decided I wasnt going to sweat it. I realized whether it was going to happen or not, me stressing about it would do me no good. The bike just stopped moving forward. It was revving, and engine sounded good, but not moving. So upset but couldn´t let it out. Changed my shoes, and started pushing. Luckily news came that a mechanic was only 2 km away so I headed that way. It was 35 degrees out and me in my leathers. Two young local guys felt sorry for me, and started pushing me. When we got to the mechanics, his wife told us he was in Managua, so we had to turn around, as I thought my chances would be better on the road. We then met a truck who offered to take us to Leon for 50 bucks I said no too expensive. The one young guy suddenly says his buddy would do it too. That felt better, so I told them to toss off.

Soon, I would find a way to justify the hemmoraging of money as my way of donating to the Nicaraguan economy. And they didnt have to pry it away from my dead hands.

We got the bike to Leon a couple hours later over some very bad roads, then found a mechanic. Drive shaft is damaged. Must have been in the accident. I am lucky to be alive, so you wont hear me complain. I will get home when I get home. No. Use. Sweating.

The Time Has Come

On the road towards home for the first time since April 22nd....its May 20 which is weird because I could have sworn it has been 6 weeks. I noticed my entry visa was valid for only 30 days, and Ive been worrying all morning about how to get that settled at the border! Now, the chronic worrier cant find much to worry about, except the leaking oil, which I will just have to deal with. I will say goodbye to Ezequiel the mechanic knowing hes done his best...... but that wont stop me from getting one last bit of help from him today.

I want to be in Guatemala by Sunday.

What a trip it has been this month. A week sleepless on the beach, a couple weeks on a volcano island. Now there´s a crying baby and because its not mine its incredibly annoying. ..... Continue practicing patience...... anyone who knows me well knows it is not my forte.

I am taking a friend back to the Nicaragua-costa rica border, then turning around, and having my mechanic plug up the oil leaks as best he can. Dave from New Life, the mechanic in Williams Lake, suggested I take all that silicone that this guy has put on and take it off, replacing it with JB weld, a liquid metal compound. Loath to do that up til now, in case I had to get back into parts but I am not going to be selling this bike. I will donate it to the Stettler Museum after I am finished using it, if they would appreciate it, of course. The patchwork engine will make for a good story and be inspirational to some, crazy to others. A story nonetheless.

I am happy. I am happy with what I have, and dont have. I am eternally grateful to myself for giving myself this gift, this journey. I am the same Jason, but I love that Jason a bit more. And everything else is just a bonus.

¿Who Else?

Who Else Wants to Ruin the Lives of Granada´s Children?
taken from OSheas Irish Pub Restaurant menu
Granada, Nicaragua

With the best intentions in the world, you might be inadvertently doing more harm than good - and creating parasites at the same time....

The children you see on the streets of Granada begging for food and money have become an epidemic that, beileve it or not, is destroying their lives. These children have learned that tourists are walking ATM machines that hand out money and food whenever they ask. When a kid approaches you, please bear these things in mind:

THESE KIDS HAVE HOMES
The homeless situation here in Granada is not nearly as severe as it is in other cities. Orphanages and charity organizations take care of homeless children here. These kids have parents and a family...

THESE KIDS ALREADY HAVE FOOD
But they want the hamburges, french fries, and other rich foods that tourists eat. These kids eat rice & beans, fruits and vegetables like all the other children in Nicaragua - and those that are hungry are fed in a large charity kitchen here in Granada called ¨Carita Feliz¨(Happy Face). However, these kids are refusing to eat the nutritious food that this kitchen provides because so many tourists will give them richer foods......

THESE KIDS BELONG IN SCHOOL
Many of these children who arrive on the street are usually already attending school, but within days they drop out and begin spending all the time on the streets begging and harassing tourists and locals alike.....

THEY ARE BECOMING DRUG ADDICTS AND PROSTITUTES
As they roam the streets at night, they come into contact with bad influences: drugs, sniffing glue (which literally dissolves the brain), pedophiles, and pimps (who turn them into child prostitutes)....

THESE CHILDREN ARE BEING EXPLOITED
Many times these kids are sent by their parents to earn money, since the children can earn more begging for a few hours than the parents can working a full day. Some children are beaten if they don't want to beg. Poor, irresponsible adults will ¨rent¨ hungry looking children to use for begging in the streets....

PLEASE PRACTICE TOUGH LOVE: if you give these kids what they ask for, you´re making their lives - and the lives of the locals and visitors miserable. If you truly want to help these children, please give donations to any of these organizations:

Carita Feliz: (meals and development) - www.caritafeliz.org
La Esperanza Granada (education) - www.la-esperanza-granada.org
Mi Familia: (family assistance program) - www.mifamilia.gob.ni


my note: YES, all this just from giving someone 10 cents for nothing. Never forget how powerful we are in affecting positive and negative changes around us.

Wolves

There are wolves among us.

"The fates will lead him who will; him who won't, they'll drag" - Seneca

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society" - Jiddu Krishnamurti

"Proventus Awesome quod Minutum Combibo (Increase the Awesome and Decrease the Suck" - Nerdfighters

Everybody Hurts

I have met some very powerful people who had it all, and they fall apart just like me. The more you have, the more you have to lose.

I had a sense that Ezequiel was lying. Why would he be so evasive? Was I being paranoid. He said, come on Thursday. I said but why if you say the bike is ready now why cant i come tomorrow. Ok tomorrow you can come but after 3 pm. Ok, but still what is going on Ezequiel I dont want lies why cant I come tomorrow at 8 am? Ok fine, you can come but between 12 and 1 pm.

I spent the night waking from dreams of the motorbike crashing, losing everything, and having everything in the room stolen!

Its 5 pm, and Im off to the mechanics to pick up the motorbike.

Now its 820, made it to Granada but just not happy with the sound of the bike. It just doesnt sound right. I told Ezequiel I will pay him 200 now, as the bike was not ready before monday as agreed, but that I will be back on Friday to pay him the extra 100. This way I can get any extra work required....... but I dont think he has much experience in tweaking. Turns out he was concealing the truth indeed..... I noticed the engine bottom slathered in silicone, and that is all they did after discovering the leak. I will need to do more research myself on what to do now.

What to Say?

Im just speechless. I have things to say, but theyre just useless to me right now. I feel as if I am a comet rughing through the solar system, passing earth, and burning away. I crave seeing the innocence of a child, the laughter of a friend, the hug of a mother. I dont know why I was not just born with all that I need to live in this world. Actually I am, but I dont know why I dont feel like it.

I am in Granada, Nicaragua. A year ago I could have never imagined to have said this. I have been making small talk on facebook for 8 months now, just dipping into a large friends list to get my personal needs met. Now, I realize I have gone so long without close intimate friendship that I have spread myself too thin. I just feel off. And without much practice asking for what I want from others, I usually have to spend it alone to assure I do get my needs met. Making comments just to get a laugh, just to feel good. Close friendships and intimate relations are filled with dread and compulsions to satisfy them somehow. I have been prostituting myself in a way for years, and its time to stop.

Perhaps most disturbing is why I just cant be a regular guy. What is a regular guy? Recently I felt tugs, and a person suggested to me that I just am not a normal guy, and should stop trying to be one. I am getting myself all worked up again comparing myself against others. Its the same thing as hoarders, eating disorders and drug addictions....... wanting to feel good all the time, craving control, and trying to fit it into a box. Well, Id be happy just to feel at peace right now. SSOOO....... I am ready to separate myself from others, and truly make a radical choice, just for me. To do what I want, to do what feels good for me, to do what feels comfortable, and to take a huge leap every moment. And, keep it simple. Find a safe, comfortable, peaceful place outside and in, and build a life there.

Repuestos

Some confusion over the parts in Managua/Rivas, so I'm going over on the boat this morning to sort it out. For some reason, the parts are in Managua, according to my taxi guy, and I have to go in there and get them. Should be a trifle difficult day.

And, as I write at 830 pm in Rivas, it was a difficult day. Started by missing the boat literally, as I was waiting in front of one boat, as the other was leaving behind me. Missing school bus dread! That was a blessing, as I had forgotten my visa and bank card back at the camp, so I would have had to return anyways. Also I was able to get ahold of Jose, the guy that helped me 3 weeks ago. I could not conceal my anger with him charging me 120 bucks to get into Managua 2 weeks ago (and exacerbated by the trip being a total waste of time) after a couple people told me 50 bucks to Managua and back. He still tried to cover it up explaining cost of gas and such. I said its not my problem, bring the purolator bill of lading with you to San JOrge boat dock, and well discuss.

I got on the 11 am boat, chatted with a canadian, then arrived at 12 and found jose. We had some tense moments, then settled on 70 bucks. We drove back to exchange him with his brother Jimmy, the seemingly quieter, more responsible , more likeable and trustworthy boy did I just make a lot of stuff up there! When we finally got to airport, it was looking like a quick and dirty deal, as the UPS guy said keep that bill that says 980 dollars value in parts in your bag. If its under 500 you dont pay taxes. I also let Jimmy take care of things but he was gone for an hour before coming out and saying the police found the bill of sale in the box, that included cost of parts AND freight to a total of 1750 bucks, meaning taxes to be paid on the total amounting to over almost $400 US. It was a shock, but I told myself we were lucky to not be thrown in jail for fucking around with the truth. Funny how quick I was to avoid telling the truth, and doubly interesting how I justified it wholly, telling myself the nicaraguan government had no right taxing goods or products not made in their country, nor staying in their country long enough to gather dust.

Now, I have 1 dollar left in my pocket, as VISa didnt work at the customs, so I had to pay cash, and I can only withdraw 450 per day out. No biggie ready for bed anyways but it hasnt been the first time i was down to nothing. If I didnt have a credit card, things would be a scramble and hats off to travellers who dont or cant use them. They are really a dangerous hit to the bottom line 30 days after purchase.

Tomorrow will be day one of mechanic, and I expect there will be at least one seemingly insurmountable problem arise. He already has shown his confidence to be misfounded when we went to Managua to find they didnt have any parts for my bike. Heres to hoping im wrong.

Will make it back to Ometepe tomorrow night, sleep there, gather my stuff, as I now am spread out between three places, having stored some bags in Playa del Sur since leaving there last Tuesday. This has all tested me to the point of not caring, so now its time to care again. No one else is going to do it for me.

Just For Today

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problems at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abe Lincoln said, that ¨most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.¨

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my ¨luck¨as it comes, and fit myself to it.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways i will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out. If anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things i don´t want to do just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt they may be hurt, but today i will not show it.

Jus for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as i can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything, and not try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.

Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests hurry and indecision.

Just for today i will have a quiet half hour all by myself, and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so that the world will give to me.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace where there is hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury, pardon, where there is doubt, faith, where there is despair hope where there is darkness, light, and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master grant that i may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love for it is in giving that we receive it is in pardoning that we are pardoned and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Tell people when you want alone time.

Motorcycle spewed oil after 5 pm so the welder needs to come back. We are back to the waiting game.

Just Habits

Having an extraordinary life is never farther away than breaking throughh patterns. The patterns themselves, to me, can seem like a 20" thick wall of platinum when I face them, but its all perceived. Met another sleeptalker last night, and it was freeing to have a group of people and I talk about sleeptalking and what I said and all laughing about it. They thought I was an army guy because of the terminology I used in my sleep 2 nights ago. So, this big ugly thing I was embarrassed about for my whole life has come down to this. Tell people, share with them, and let it go. Hi my name is Jason. I'm a sleeptalker. Hi my name is Jason. I'm scared of intimacy and commitment. Hi my name is Jason. I am scared of a lot of things, but I will live everyday with courage, and continue doing what I believe is right.

And the bug that was tearing at my eyeball on the moto return ride stayed in there all night, leaving it brightred and sore, puffy. I get regular, welcome check-ins from Eddie and Mom but the friendship base has withered to nothing. It left me feeling very lonely and angry. I went through a moment of 'you could really care less about me', to realizing I am not calling any of my freinds, nor talking to them directly, besides a once a year drop in. What the hell do I expect? I fell into the trap of facebook, quick comments on life and shallow, surface talk. So, if I were to choose 3 people to get back into contact with, who would they be?

I go into Granada today, and leave island life behind. Sad to say goodbye; this island has been an insular, safe world for 2 weeks. The bike, I expect, will be ready between today and Wednesday, making it 1 month, and 4 - 6 days of waiting. But we are almost at the end, and it has been a good learning experience to stop and face myself for a while.

I just called Ezequiel and he said the motorbike will be ready by 3 pm today.

Sex & the City

7 months without, and suddenly its raining women. Also had the best conversation in the same tie, and felt free. It was truly a pleasure to have someone listen, and to speak freely. I kept myself in a cage all this time, and now I've let myself free. Today we go for another motorbike ride to find waterfalls and petroglyphs.

Trials Are Almost Over

I don´t believe that for a second! A friend messaged me today and said he felt my trials are soon over....... I hope not because that would mean I was dead. But, island life is not that bad, I must say. Time just seems to float by.........

Noticing how much I want to get approval from anybody that I am doing it right. Crazy. Yesterday was a huge day as far as communicating, and talking to people. I was just letting loose, and speaking at will. Nothing offensive came out. Nothing uncomfortable. It was as if because I was comfortable with me, other people could be too. I had taken the parts over to the mechanic first thing, caught a bus to San Juan del Sur, picked up my stuff there in 10 minutes, and came right back. Then had some chinese food, worked on my videos met a couple teachers from Austria and helped them get back to Ometepe with me. The evening was chatting first with the church girls, then the locals down at the bar. Feeling some fear that I said something wrong, but this is just crazy talk, and putting too much importance on what other people think.

But I will agree that the trials have become much easier.

Repuestos

Some confusion over the parts in Managua/Rivas, so I'm going over on the boat this morning to sort it out. For some reason, the parts are in Managua, according to my taxi guy, and I have to go in there and get them. Should be a trifle difficult day.

Bearded Monkey Feelings

Against feelings of discomfort, anxiety, and body focus, love and connectedness and being in the zone is a challenge. No writing for 4 days. My writing has been like the Sedins in the playoffs against Nashville. Prone to writer's block. I have so much to say, but it just doesn't seem to feel right. So, its back to writing stream of consciousness, and just getting it out.

Some strange affairs of the heart, or lack thereof in the last couple days.

There just isn't a cut and dried way to live, and thats been hard to accept. Its hard to accept that I will have to wake up every day for the rest of my life and start again........... or do I? I think the definition of an adult is someone who has accepted the truth of their life. A transcended human being is someone who takes whatever disadvantages of being human i.e. fears, challenges, and makes the absolute best of it. Why bother? why not just sit in front of the tv and be entertained couch potato style?

Hey I would give anything, or take something away from someone else just to feel ok. What is the point of any animal feeling strange? Its somewhat comical to have an anaimal feeling strange. Shows the power of the human mind to take itsself out of the game, to overfocus on something irrelevant. Todays technologically, and socailly complicated world, some of us have to adapt or perish. We cant just live. It has to be an awareness, a work in progress.

Of biggest acceptance in the last few days was that its ok for humans to perish, by their own hands. If we, as a biologically adapted species, are unable to control ourselves, and simply be the spectators of the ark that passes us by, then we must go the way of the dinosarur. it is not my responsibility anymore to save the world. I can only save my world.

Secondly, what the fuck is depression? It is a manufactured entity of the modern world. It is an opportunity for the system to make it self relevant. The health care industry is a business, and it is a big business. Depression is a result of a monkey being put in a cage. Us monkeys, us humans, put ourselves in the cage. There is noone to blame, noone who will coem and save us. We have to use all of our evolutionary skills to get out of it. And it involves extremely bold steps that 99 percent of people will not get out by themselves. They will need to rely on drugs and mcdonalds. But if they can break away from their own evolutionary pitfalls, and reach out, take chances, believe in something bigger for themselves, anything is possible.

Chronic pain, physical maladies without any cause are a direct result of not doing the things that keep human beings happy. Connection, doing something interesting that engages oneself. Staying away from things that stress out quite a vulnerable little creature.

Nice to blab again............feels great.

And, on the parts front, they are out of the Managua airport as of 1230 this afternoon, and are probably across the lake in Rivas tomorrow. Now, trusting the process and the guys, my mechaic should have the box tomorrow. Go guys. After 2 and a half weeks, I feel that when I am on that bike again, it will be like starting all over again. Has been the most interesting experience of exploration, and some really fun times, with lots of laughter.

Is Kayak a Canadian word?

A Child's Pain

Again, my ego and egg-shell thin confidence allowed me to sweep the sleep talking under the mat. I had either slept alone, or didn't sleep at all around others for 8 months, but mostly the first. In my earlier incarnations, specifically hostelling in Australia 18 years ago, I just ignored the potential social embarrassments the next day after a yell, or scream in the night, dealing with the aftermath. I dramatize for your benefit, but for me, I could just die in my skin.

All of the embarrassing moments of the past came rushing back in a flood of emotions. So, when one of my roommates I hadn't met yet mentioned it this morning, I was aghast, and a bit speechless. He said that the night before, he and his girlfriend thought I was talking to someone on my cellphone in the middle of the night. (I have been known to surprise people with the clarity of my speaking, although it always ends up in very clear nonsense) But when I talked again last night, they realized I was indeed sleep talking. I told him I was embarrassed, and he said "you don't need to worry about this. You cannot control it. Every person should be able to understand that." He gave me some perspective and I started to tear up, as the emotional wall came down.

Only the computer screen saw my tears, confiding in it with a release of pent up embarrassment, and a deep sense of inadequacy melted away, if only for a moment. it is crucial to acknowledge the fragility of being human, thus healing that inner child who doesn't understand, or can't cope. Then, it is time to do what humans do best, and move on from it. Get up, dust off, and get back into life. And next time, tell everyone in the room that you're a sleeptalker.

Let's Climb

Walking up to the town to find Hospedaje Central, I stare down a guy on a motorbike, and he's doing the same. "No way! It's Steffan from the columbia-panama boat" I mump on his Africa Twin 750n and we head back to his hostel, where we meet the german owner, andlater, Juan, the owner of the 1800 godwing. Sleep well that nigvht in a drom room of 6, but I guess I should tell everyone I sleep talk. That's right. 39 year old still talking away. I can hear my mom right now "did you take your vitamin B's? No. I didn't". Anyways, it was fine. Just a laugh I'm sure.

I forgot to write about Jason's purple shorts. In fact this blog should be called 'The Color Purple'. Briefly, I see a group of Nicaraguan gbuys on the beach, trying to sneak up on guys and throw a pair of purple shorts over some unsuspecting head. They were mine. I wasn't looking for them, but I do remember looking for them last time I was on the beach. So, I just let them have their fun. They got more than 45 minutes out of that gag. My purple shorts.

The walk started today at 520 am. Treacherous at times, and most satisfying. Felt alive, felt good, felt real, felt myself. Funny how a walk up an island volcano does that to you. Reached the summit at about 11am then headed back down with our guide. $25 is how much gave the guide after almoset 12 hours of taking care of us. There was a slight tip.

a video from the summit, about 1600 m above sea level.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAXqLwuTZtk

Btw, the pics were downloaded in opposite timeline. Gotta stop doing that!

Moving Ahead

Today, I return back into Rivas for the first time in a week to double check the parts of the bike, and then to catch a ferry off to Ometepe, the island in Lake Nicaragua. sfMy body feels very tight and is yelling at me a bit, but all I can do is breath deeply, and focus on relaxing the tired and overworked muscles. Without more than 30 minutes straight sleep, constant worries of money being stolen, I just have to accept it as a pain in the ass and my cross to bear. I've dealt with it since I was 6, and it has to be managed wth lots of relaxation, exercise and good positive loving vibes. This too shall pass.

Changes

Osama Bin Laden is purported to be dead and buried at sea, the polls close on a Canadian federal election, and I decide to walk, in the dark up to San Juan del Surs version of Cristo Redento. Met with a big rottweiler guarding it, but came close enough to say I did it.

A more realistic view on Bin Ladens legacy at http://barrylando.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-mohamed-bouaziz-stupid-not-osama.html

Dos Equis

After that trip of yours YOU are the Dos Equis Man

Walking along the beach with all my belongings, free camping for 9 days, and an inspiring men who walk out in the woods, make their flies, catch and release, and shoot the odd deer. Just living within nature.