Nicaragua, in real life
My encounters in America occur in cyber space as well as in real life. Various internet forums lead the way by providing information, experiences and friends that I would have peddled past otherwise. Other cycling blogs works as inspiration and guidance while riding through Nicaragua. Through e-mails I get in contact with my friend´s old boyfriend that I stay with in the revolutionary city of Leon. I visit a cycling expat on the surfer beach of El Gigante, after meeting at a global network where people connect to share their sofas and stories with each other. On a Pan-American mail-group I can keep track of other long distance cyclists in the region, two Frenchmen are only a couple of days ahead and I chase them through the green landscape.
-Are you Hanna? The question is asked by a lovely girl on a bicycle as we meet on a dirt track road between two volcanoes on the pretty island of Ometepe. As we lean on our bikes she tells me that she met the cycling Frenchmen the day before, and they thought that she was me. She is on her way to Colombia with her brother and we discuss camper-stove-recipes and cycling-thoughts before all three of us fall asleep in our hammocks. When they leave the island we become facebook friends with hopes to meet in real life again.
- Are you Hanna? The question is asked again, this time by a smiling American that stops me at a road on the mainland of Nicaragua. He runs a cozy surfer place by the coast a day’s ride away and is one of those who invite cyclists like me to stay in their home.
So, during this journey I do not only follow the road signs and country maps but is also guided by the World Wide Web. The ride through Nicaragua is however experienced in real life and it all feels very real when I look out over Granada and think that it is the most beautiful city I have ever seen. I listen to a Sandinista in Leon who tells me of his youth during the revolution. I enjoy the cool force standing underneath a waterfall after a hot hike on the island of Ometepe. And I am fascinated by the small but strong turtles as I watch the beginning of their lives at the beach reserve of La Flor. Via skype I can also be fascinated by my niece who just begun her life in Sweden. I am so happy that there are so many possibilities to meet each other.
Peace IRL
Hi Hanna. My name is Angela and we met on the Ferry leaving the island of Ometepe(I am the lady worried about the whereabouts of her two boys). I am so impressed with you and your journey along with the independence and courage you have to do it. I have a few friends here in Florida that are cyclist and I have shared your website with them as well. It was wonderful to meet you. You have me wandering through my mind of memories and dreams of yesterday that have been left unfullfilled but now rekindled with a spark of hope they can become a reality. Our chance meeting was that little reminder to me of what things are possible if we believe.
Although our time to chat was short that day, the lasting impression will last a long time for me.
Wishing you a continued safe journey.
Sincerely,
Angela Blanco
Thank you Angela,
Reading your words really moves me and it was wonderful to meet you too. I hope that you find a path to those dreams of yours and enjoy your last days in Nicaragua.