Fish, fish, fish - lobsters and shrimps (camarones)

Friday (Viernes) 24 Abril, 2015

Busy day. Up at 5 a.m. Rented an ATV for $20 and drove up the beach to the fishing village of Masachapa, past thatch-roofed, sand floored restaurants and hostels. We arrived with a fleet of colorful fishing boats bobbing offshore beyond the persistent breakers. Tide high. The captains knew when to break for shore, pulling their Yamaha and Mercurys up at the last minute into the waiting hands of friends and family and so many others awaiting fresh seafood, eyes still glistening, gills still moving. I'll post photos when we return. Used other camera. A great early morning scene. Men left before sunset last evening. Fished all night. They fish every day except Sunday. What a schedule. But money here is scarce and when the rains and stronger winds come in May they won't be able to fish as much.

We drank coffee then, ate eggs and jamon (ham) and bowl of fresh fruit and a glass of orange juice and talked with Karina the cook. After breakfast we walked the long deserted beach toward the south - big oceanside homes of wealthy Managuans and on a high point overlooking the placid Pacific the home of former President Arnold Allemon. (Spelling may not be correct.)

Came back for my next surfing session with the young man they call Belize for where he grew up. He taught me well. Caught several more surfy waves. After an hour, eyes burning from the brine, I told Belize - first language English - that I'd had enough.  Fell a few more times. The waves never stop. Pochomil a great beginners' beach.

"You must finish with a good ride," he said. "You must finish as a champ!"

I looked straight into Belize's eyes through my own salty eyes.

"Did you say finish as a chump?"

"No, no," he said. "I said as a champ. That's what I tell all of my students."

I rallied. Thought CrossFit form. Tight core. Balance. Turkish get up. Rhett said keep knees bent, body low.

"Here goes," said Belize.  "Get your balance. Ready, set . . ."

I heard the wave coming, looking straight ahead, beard on board, hands beside shoulders ready to push away . . .

Little red train: I think I can. I think I can . . .

Belize still holding the board, then he lets it . .

"Go!"

The board shoots out like an arrow. I snatch my left leg forward, center position, get my feet right, knees bent, butt low, hands out front for balance just like Frankie Avalon and it's just me and the board and the wave. Half a football field later I jump from the board in a foot of surf, look back toward Asia and there's Belize, white teeth smiling and two thumbs up.

Todos Bueno.

Looking forward to dinner tonight, brought in this morning to Masachapa.

You saw the photo up top. Jean Philippe and Jocelyn did a great job hooking us up with a couple of fine spiny lobsters and big camarones.

Dude, this surfing business creates a grande appetito!

Hasta la vista.