The Mombacho Volcano is not too far away from where we were staying in Catarina so we decided to take a visit. On our way there we saw the Semana Santa Procession. While musicians, blaring a traditional song, escorted the caravan, we decided to pull over and watch. This tradition not only fascinated us "extranjeros" but also the locals who just so happen to be passing by. Oxens and horses were pulling carts adorn with hay and religious symbols. It was fascinating, but I do remember thinking how is it possible to have this amazing procession and yet not one person in the caravan was smiling. In fact, it appeared like an everyday occurrence to them, one that didn't seem all that grand.
When we finally reached the visitor center of Mombacho we couldn't help but notice the air temperature had dropped a little. There was a little more dew in the air and there was no view of anything. We were in a cloud of green.
I remember watching a movie called "Given." There is one part of the movie where the young boy, Given, narrates that the bus driver was going really fast, but they weren't worried. Well, we got on the open air shuttle to the Mombacho crater and the driver was going really fast. This road was as sketchy as many roads that we had been on in Nicaragua but it was trimmed with steep drop offs and other shuttles coming back down from the crater. Not to worry, the views were amazing. They do this day in and day out and we knew we were in good hands. However, I have to laugh, there were so many things about this shuttle ride that would have never passed in the states due to state regulations (safety primarily). For example, the way to get on the shuttle was a tiny ladder, no handle, there was rust everywhere, no seat belts, no safety handles and during the drive, if you weren't sitting just so, you would have been bounced around like a pinball game.
There are three tours you can opt to take. Because of Enzo, we opted to hire a guide (only $10) and take the 1 1/2 walk through the easiest trail of the crater. However, Enzo had other plans. Instead of walking, he wanted to play "hide and seek." Yes, this is how we did the entire tour of the crater. Scott and Eli would walk just a few hundred meters ahead, hide behind a tree and Enzo would find them. It was a long hike full of silliness, laughter and a few questionable hiding spots.
It's not often Scott and I get to hold each other while out. We have to keep an eye on Enzo every single second of the day. More on that as you go through this any of the memories I write in this blog. Eli on the other, does help us tremendously so we asked him to take a picture of us while we were at a beautiful clearing with a breathtaking view of the crater.
The trail was perfect for hide and seek and the change of landscape made for an exciting day as we wondered what would be around the next corner.
Around one turn we found a small overlook where we could see the crater, all the green you could ever imagine and hear the different sounds coming from the belly of the jungle.
Tunnel style pathways made it difficult to play hide and seek and Enzo was not pleased but we did our best and he ran through looking for Papa and Eli.
As you can imagine, Eli was well camouflaged! I can't help but laugh at this kid's sense of humor!
Every other minute Enzo would ask "Mama, where's E-i." (Enzo says "E-I"....we are still working on the L of his speech)
Fun days like these just confirm our decision to step out of the line drawn by society and out of the box into a life of adventure and awe.
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