We astoundingly made it into Nicaragua.
Spending the night in León, we liked what we saw as we explored the next day. The city was colonial and quaint, big, but not TOO large. It had some nice grocery stores (with air conditioning), as well as a traditional style market.
And it was cheap! Cheaper than El Salvador. Cheaper than Guatemala.
It was fun to explore a new place and check out things we hadn't seen, heard or tasted before.
That's what's so intoxicating about travel. Going to a new place and encountering the unknown, unfamiliar and 'strange'. It's so exciting!
Simple things like currency, giant papayas and new drinks provide fresh sensations and brand new experiences. I've often compared it to a little baby. For a very young child, everything is new, different, exciting and worth investigating and exploring.
That's kind of what travel is like. Suddenly your taking notice of the simplest things and wondering, questioning and searching. What is it?? What is it for? What does it taste like? Your brain is active and alive. It's a fantastic feeling.
When you travel, it's fascinating to compare one place to another. Guatemala uses the word 'calidad' to represent something that is 'cool'. In Nicaragua, the word is 'tuani'. (Sometimes the words you use to ask how much something costs or where the bathroom is can change. In Mexico, the locals would ask 'a como esta' to find our a price. In Guatemala it was 'cuanto vale'. Using the right words can get you better prices. 😉 )
Guatemalans wear traditional clothing and listen to 'latin' music. Nicaraguans wear 'regular' clothing and listen to lots of American music (I heard lots of Grease).
Guatemalans use quetzals, expats would call them quets. Nicaraguans use cordobas, expats call them cords, but the Nicaraguans sometimes call them pesos.
Nicaraguans would get offended if you suggested that their prices were too high, and they might not even sell to you after that. Nicaraguans use horse-drawn buggies, and they don't carry their babies in slings on their backs like the Guatemalan women do. There's also fewer of them that carry stuff on their heads. Many Nicaraguans drop their 's' -- so Las Peñitas becomes 'La Peñita'.
A unique Nicaraguan practice -- these horse drawn carriages are very common, in the city with cars, along the highways and in the 'country'.
Of course with travel comes new challenges... how to use a cell phone, get internet, where to shop and how to get the groceries to your truck.
After exploring León and grabbing some groceries, we drove toward the coast and the beach town of Las Peñitas where we hoped to find a house to rent, for at least a few months, and maybe long enough to have a baby here... we like it that much!
For tonight, we find a great little camp site/restaurant right on the beach. We order dinner -- C50 a plate ($2) -- set up camp and enjoy sunset on the beach.
We have a ridiculously awesome life.
Have you visited León or Las Peñitas?
2024 UPDATE!
We’re excited to share that we’ve made a big move! We are now living in beautiful Portugal and have taken ownership of the Worldschool Family Beach Resort. We are now known as the Extraordinary Family Life, where we focus on coaching and mentoring moms, dads, and teens to create fulfilling, joyful, extraordinary family lives. With over 20 years of experience traveling the world with our seven children, we’re passionate about sharing the lessons we’ve learned along the way.
Check out the links below to learn more about what we do!
ABOUT GREG DENNING
Greg left home at the age of 16 and difficult circumstances forced him to find a way to find happiness and build his own happy family life.
Discovering the answers to some of life's biggest questions has continued in a lifelong pursuit of learning and personal growth.
He's married to his best friend and they have seven incredible kids. He's traveled, adventured, and taught in 60+ countries on five continents.
ABOUT RACHEL DENNING
Rachel is an ambitious mother of seven children. She homeschools, manages a multiple six-figure business, and organizes trips for her family and friends.
She loves to read, learn, travel, and create resources for her children to get the 'best education possible' which often includes incredible experiences around the globe.
Rachel provides the 'logistics' behind the program -- from tracking to curriculum to trip planning.
Learn to save money on travel here!
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Looking for a place to stay in Guatemala? Check this out!
Check out these Trips and Adventures!
Listen to our podcast.
Check out Rachel's YouTube Channel, Raising Well-Adjusted Kids.
Take Rachel's 28-Day Challenge for moms.
Join Greg's Formidable Familye Man Tribe.
Tune into Greg's Formidable FAmily Man podcast.
Visit Greg's Formidable Family Men YouTube Channel.
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If you liked Lake Atitilan, you need to check out Ometepe Island on Lake Nicaragua. (a bit past Granada)
We really wanted to do that, but headed to Costa Rica instead… our visas were up and we needed to get ready for a baby to come!
You have any budget comparisons between Guat & Nic? And how does safety of Antigua & Panajachel compare to Nic? Thx.
Food was cheaper in Nicaragua (about 20% less). Rent was more… for comparable living in Pana that cost between $230 – $500 you’d be paying $500-$1000 in Nica.
Nicaragua is very safe… at least as safe if not more than Antigua and Pana.