So today I make my way from San Salvador, El Salvador to Leon, Nicaragua. So I have to cross 2 borders! The bus leaves at 5am and I have to check in at 4:15 am so I set an alarm for 3:45 and 4:00. But really I didn't need an alarm since I woke up about every hour because I though I was going to miss the bus. So finally I got out of bed around 3:45 am, dressed, and packed up all my stuff. I went downstairs and checked in before 4:15. Then sat in the lobby and used the wifi until we boarded the bus around 4:30. The bus left before 4:45 and went to the other bus station to pick up more people. The guy next to me slept basically for the whole bus ride but unfortunately for me he kept coming onto my side. At one point he had part of his hand on my lap while he was asleep and I had to keep moving my leg to move his hand. Another time he was almost laying on my shoulder but at this point I really don't care. Traveling in other countries you get to know strangers really well. Sometimes it is almost like you are sitting in someone's lap! The first border crossing was El Salvador to Honduras which was easy. I am pretty sure the bus driver ripped me off as he charged me $18 for the border crossing (I read there is no fee but they charge you for tourist cards $10 and I think $2 for another fee). However, the Nicaraguan border crossing was terrible. At the first border the customs officers boarded the bus and then sent us on our way.
At the Nicaraguan border we stopped and waited then had to get off the bus. We then had to get our suitcases and other bags checked. By checked I meant glanced at for some and opened for others. They didn't even open my bag but kind of felt the sides. Then we got to stand in a line outside the office and wait. They fumigated the bus and we still had to wait. I'm pretty sure we waited an hour or close to it. Then we got back on the bus and it was around 2:30 pm.
Now Lonely Planet guide book had told me that if I took the 5 am bus I would get to Managua, Nicaragua around 3:30 pm. THIS IS A LIE. The schedule I got on my ticket says we actually would arrive around 5 or 6 pm but at our actual rate it would be closer to 7/8/9pm. I also discovered that the route we were going didn't pass through Leon (as I had hoped so I could just hop off) and instead was going toward Matagalpa. My original plan was to get to Mangua and then take a bus to Leon the same day. My second plan, if we passed through Leon, was to just hop off the bus in Leon. So I asked one of the Tica bus workers the best way to get to Leon. I was told the buses stopped running around 5/6pm and that my best bet would be to get off in San Isidro and take chicken bus from there. So I decided that is what I would do. I also asked the bus driver when we would get to San Isidro and he said in a little bit. I asked again how many hours and he said in a little bit ("un ratito" and used his fingers to show me a little bit). So when we finally got on the rode I was starting to worry. Then when we still hadn't gotten there around 4pm I got really worried. Then we even stopped and took a break! So now I'm thinking for sure I will never make it and will be stranded somewhere. Well we got to San Isidro close to 5 (so 2 hours is a little bit). I got off the Tica bus and grabbed my backpack and got on the chicken bus. Then sat there for a good 30 minutes waiting for the bus to go. I asked the driver if they take dollars and he said yes (Lonely Planet said dollars are accepted in Nicaragua). We then stopped at another stop and waited at least 10 minutes. Now I am expecting the ride to take about 2 1/4 hours (Lonely Planet) and when I asked a boy he said 4 hours! So now I'm really worried because it is already dark and I know it is not safe to be out after dark. The boy sitting next to me, the one I asked how far Leon was, was also going to Leon also so I was pretty much just watching him to make sure I got off when he did. Also when the guy that came around to take the money came by and I told him I had dollars he waved me off (so I guess they don't like to take dollars). Also I had my big backpack and for a good amount of time I had it on my lap because it is 3 people to a seat. When we finally got to Leon the guy wanted me to pay. He overcharged me but I didn't care and I gave him dollar coins and apparently they don't take that but I told him that was all I had. I then found a taxi and asked him if took dollars. He said yes. So I threw my bag in the trunk and off we went. He brought me to the hotel and gave me change back in Nicaraguan dollars (Cordoba's). I was so happy to have made it to the hostel in one piece that I smiled all night I think. I got in and got my room and dropped my things off. Then I used the wifi and found out about tours. I then booked my tour that I have been waiting for. I had contacted a tour agency before but was told to email them the night before or come by the office before 6 pm however, it was to late when I got to the hostel so I booked the tour, with a different agency, through the hostel. I took a shower and got ready for bed. I am so excited!!!
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