Esteli to Somoto, Nicaragua
December 11, 2009

Danielo
Part of his silver collection
Covered patio in the hotel
Bev in the Somoto park
Hotel campsite in Somoto

Well today was another of those surprise days that occur when you are traveling. Today it was a good surprise. We did not drive very far as I wanted to cross into Honduras and be across the country in one day. So we only traveled about 75 miles just to get as close to the border and have a place for the night as possible. At first it looked as if there was no place to stay but then I spotted a motel with an entrance I thought that we could get into.
Well the cost of a room was $20.00 including parking and the cost to just park was $20.00 so we took the room to just use the shower in the morning. I remarked to the receptionist that the tables that were in the courtyard were really nice Guanacaste wood and she said that the owner of the hotel was at his other hotel but that he might have others.
Shortly thereafter while relaxing in the hammock Danilo Morazin the owner of the hotel arrived and introduced himself. A wonderful man who lived for 10 years in Texas during the civil war here and had lots to show us. His monkeys that he keeps for pets (both white faced and others), his gardens and patios and his collections. These included Bavarian crystal, German and Swiss silver antiques and other antiques, pottery and woven baskets and sculptures that were really unique to this and other Central American countries. Then he drove Bev and I around town showing us the various sights.
We saw the Municipal Building donated by Madrid Spain, the new complex for battered women, the new gymnasium complex being built, the University of Nicaragua extension here that was in a former Somosa jail and army barracks. He showed us his other hotel where he hosts groups from all over the world who come here to help the people of Somoto. In January 60 physicians and helpers from Merced, CA are coming to do free surgeries, and others are coming in March from Spain to do cultural work. Really an interesting man and a wonderful tour. I was just sorry that the wood he had did not fit what I needed for a dining room table. We did buy some souvenirs though and I will tell you that the prices here in Nicaragua are better than any other place we have been to. You can only carry so much stuff though even in an RV.
Well today we relaxed, strolled the town and tonight it is dinner Nico food at a little restarante that Danilo showed us. Just a few blocks walk from here.
I should also say that he told us that other than Managua his feeling was that Nicaragua was now very safe. He was sorry to here that we had problems with the police and his reaction was that we should have gotten their badge numbers and reported them. Apparently now there is quite a crackdown on this in Nicaragua and he said they had just jailed two former policemen for doing just what had happened to me. No wonder the police were so adamant when I wanted to take their picture.