In-flight decisions Chapter 12. The Atlantic Coast and its Caribbean pirates      “I have good news and bad news, which do you prefer?”      “So, which is the good news, then?” I asked, hesitantly.      “The seafood is delicious and the beach is beyond beautiful,” he answered, laughing at my dubious look.…

Laguna de Perlas or the Lake of Pearls Chapter 12. The Atlantic Coast and its Caribbean pirates      “Did they stay on as slaves?” I asked, interested in the story.      “No, eventually rumors about what happened here spread to Jamaica. Later on, as a result, slaves from Jamaica began to escape and…

A city with blue fields Chapter 12. The Atlantic Coast and its Caribbean pirates      “The City of the Blue Fields is ahead at twelve o’clock,” Grandfather announced happily. On second thought, with Gramps, everything was a happy event. “Better known to the common folk, like us, as Bluefields,” he corrected.      “Funny…

Cows that swim Chapter 12. The Atlantic Coast and its Caribbean pirates      “But, don Jaime, what’s so special about the San Juan cows, other cows don’t share? Perhaps, they give chocolate milk or something?” I asked a little perplexed, for I realized he was joking, while Grandfather just smiled.      “Well now,…

Caribbean landing Chapter 12. The Atlantic Coast and its Caribbean pirates       “Passengers will please fasten their seat-belts for we are about to … land!” He playfully announced. “We’re going to visit a good friend of mine; besides, we are also going to deliver a box full of machine spare parts for his…

Talking about intruders Chapter 12. The Atlantic Coast and its Caribbean pirates      “That guy, Walker, was a gringo that wanted Central America as part of the USA. First, he tried to win Mexico over for the US, but the Mexicans took out their six shooters and, tequilas in hand, chased him and his…

Grandfather’s illegal border incursions Chapter 12. The Atlantic Coast and its Caribbean pirates      We kept on going towards the coast. When we were finally about to arrive to San Juan del Sur, the coastal port on the Caribbean side, Grandfather settled into a detailed description of how the gringo, William Walker arrived in…

The San Juan River Chapter 12. The Atlantic Coast and its Caribbean pirates      “Over there! See how the San Juan River is born as it merges with the lake? Nowadays, that’s the route the banana boats follow. The boats come all the way from Granada, dock overnight at Ometepe, and then, follow the…

The best bananas in the world Chapter 12. The Atlantic Coast and its Caribbean pirates      The next day before the clock struck five a.m., we were up and at it, having had coffee and bread. Still, we managed to get to the Rivas Market by six thirty and eat a hefty breakfast. A…

Volcanoes in the clouds Chapter 12. The Atlantic Coast and its Caribbean pirates      The next day before the clock struck five a.m., we were up and at it, having had coffee and bread. Still, we managed to get to the Rivas Market by six thirty and eat a hefty breakfast. A dark-skinned woman…