Monday, January 10, 2011

Nightfall at Lago Apoyo

Saturday night
It is close to 8:30 as I sit less than 30 feet from Lago Apoyo, enjoying the breeze and listening to the waves breaking against the rocks, Above me is a sky like no other that I have seen in many years, Off in the distance, the city glow of Masaya can just be seen over the lip of the caldera. Along the lakeshore the odd light can be seen, the only indication that there are people living on the slopes of this wonderful rarity of nature.
 The real light show, however is taking place above my head. Stars beyond count sparkle in the canopy above me. With little city wash to reduce their effect, these far off suns are a reminder of childhood days when I would look out of my bedroom window, trying to count these specks of light, For most city dwellers in north America the brightest and often only light in the sky is the moon. Besides that there is nothing but the artificial darkness created by the upward glow of man-made illumination.
 What more can one ask of life than to be so entertained by the glories of nature. Would I rather exchange the wealth and luxuries of Canada for the simplistic yet beautiful life of this rather primitive land? Sometimes I wonder.
  Sadly, or perhaps fortunately, reality beckons. There are bills to pay and jobs to be completed. And besides, so far I haven’t discovered a dim sum restaurant anywhere in this country!
  With at least a month to go, I dare say that I will experience other nights like this. Compared to Canada, Nicaragua is a really small country, but the diversity of the country’s geography is what makes it so appealing. From beach to mountain in under 3 hours. That beats the hell out of an all inclusive in Cancun, any day.

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