Expat Community > Nicaragua

the2bearsandme
Joined 2013
Posts: 293

LOL#3: The Transportation/Mercado Adventure

11 years ago

We live on Carretera Sur in Managua. The complete opposite end of "where it's happening" (i.e., Carretera Masays). The GOOD news is that it IS cooler where we live. Anyway, needless to say, we have spent a small fortune on a day-long taxi ($40.) to run hither and yon to find things we needed for our home (basic things like brooms, soaps, detergent, dish drainer, mat for entrance ways to keep dirt down to a minimum etc.) I've previously mentioned that we found our salvation in Sinsa (Ace Hardware) and PriceSmart, Radio Shack, ComTech but have learned that prices are higher. Of course! We're paying for a building structure / AC / multiple employees knocking themselves out to help you/ cash registers etc. We knew (thanks to the local Nica's) that these places were more expensive but we wanted to find the absolute basics fast and in multiples to avoid "tripping" repeatedly. We began cutting costs by taking MotoTaxi (motorcycle with 2 seater cab attached) to/from places that were close to home on Carretera Sur. (Most MotoTaxis are limited to a zone area and will get fined if they travel outside of the zone. We asked our "regular" guy, Obad, to recommend another MotoTaxi when we needed to go outside of the zone.) We saved a lot of cordobas!!! That being said ... our new adventure was learning to take a bus to/from Mercado Israel (closest to our home but not as big as La Oriental or Huembres.) The bus isn't bad except when it's overly crowded and you have to squeeze between generous size buttocks to get to the front door. LOL. That was a trip! Actually, I didn't mind it so much except I know that I will have to learn the different bus routes / names of the buses, just like in any other city. I have this fear that I would take the wrong bus and land up in Jinotepe or San Gorge or maybe even Costa Rica! So, okay, I can do it if need be and I am less intimidated by the thought. Good girl I say! Push it girl, I say! S-T-R-E-T-C-H ,,, make it work!

Part of the adventure was also visiting La Oriental and Huembres Mercados. These markets are totally cheap. I bought some nice flip flops for around the house for $2. I bought 2 decks of playing cards for $0.50, I bought a covered, under the counter, garbage pail for $1. Love those prices said this girl ... keep shopping... giddy yup!!!
LOL time:
Oh boy! Sweet Mother of God! Do I "have to" shop at those places. These places are open-air / not sheltered ... except Israel.) Everything looks and feels "filthy". Please realize that this is the "clean queen" talking. I never expect other people to keep up my standards in my own home but I do have a statue of limitations on cleanliness of stores. TRUE CONFESSIONS ... "THIS" is my stumbling block that I am learning to LOL about. I wanted to grab a rag, soap and bucket and start in! !!! LOL. Now that is pathetic! I really have to laugh at myself. For such wonderful prices, "what in the world did I expect?" Carpets and chandeliers? Oh my ... I really do need to get a grip / get a hold of my "hang ups".

Thanks for listening! Hello to all! Hope to meet you soon.
PS: Spanish school is next ... oh, oh ... talk about being nervous about the ability to learn another language. HELP!!! said the silly woman.

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LOL#3: The Transportation/Mercado Adventure

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