The buses were often bumper-to-bumper as far as you could see in both directions.
December 10, 1994
Decided to go back across the river to the big markets in Comayaguela. On the way I figured I'd see why traffic is always backed up on the street in front of my hotel. Oh yeah, they raised my rent. It's now L78=$8.50 per day.
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The buses were often bumper-to-bumper as far as you could see in both directions. |
It turns out that about two blocks down you turn left to go over one of the bridges into Comayaguela. Traffic is actually backed up all the way from the other side of the bridge down to the turn and then back past my hotel and out of sight.
I saw a lot of people heading down a street toward the river so I decided to go see what was going on. It turns out that the National Gymnasium is down there. They're having an all day telethon until midnight. The goal is L3,000,000. It looks like the typical series of variety acts with probably the big names on later in the day.
The bridge into Comayaguela is like a garage sale. People are selling everything you can imagine. It's so tightly packed that you can hardly walk through. Traffic is stalled so I get off the sidewalk and walk in the street. Unfortunately, most of the sheds on the side of the road have tin roofs. These roofs are all bent, twisted and torn with sharp edges pointing in all directions. They are also about eye level to yours truly. Since most of the things I see for sale are for home use and none of it looks like something that I'd like to take home (Kind of like visiting K-Mart) I decide that it isn't worthwhile to investigate further. I'm sure I missed something somewhere but it might have been a poke in the eye.
I decide to eat at the Al Naturale again - mainly to have another of their blended drinks (Papaya con leche on ice). I had these chicken tacos. It was just kind of OK but the drink was great. On the way over I carefully avoided the lair of the dreaded "Denise".
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The National Gymnasium. A fundraiser for street kids. |
Stopped by the Parque Centeral - I thought something might be going on after the music yesterday. Nothing.
Fiddled around at the hotel for a while reading the guide books. Decided to try a new place for dinner - Don Pepe's
When I got there, I got the strong impression that they were expecting some large groups of people having something to do with the telethon that was still going on. There were some signs at the door saying something about the telethon and they had all the tables pushed together into a large unified arrangement. Anyway, it didn't look like they were very interested in my smiling face so I left.
It was getting dark and I couldn't find any new place around nor any old place I cared to try again - so I'll do without dinner this evening. I suspect I'll live.
Back at the hotel, watched a little TV. They have HBO, USA, CNN, etc. Some of it in English with Spanish subtitles, some in Spanish, some local channels. Mr. Spock sure looks strange speaking Spanish.
