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Fresh
Water Sharks! |
| October 2, 2000
- Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua |
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And
lots of fresh water. Rainy season on Central Americas'
largest lake! Perhaps not the best time to visit the Island
of Ometepe on Lake Nicaragua, but an adventure nonetheless!
The island is said to be the worlds' largest on a fresh
water lake and the lake the home of the world only fresh
water sharks. The clouds never lifted above the two volcanoes
that form the island, hence the best view of the island
was a tacky replica in a defunct fountain near the ferry
landing.
I'm seated on the town of Altagracia. To my right
is a large sign announcing a huge fine for bathing
in the fountain or trespassing on the model volcanoes. |
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I took a ferry to the island with Baby Blue and Karla,
a new friend from Managua. Over a few days we toured the
entire figure-eight of the island including the smaller
less inhabited hoop of the digit.
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We
braved large boulders and small rivers on roads
traveled mostly by pedestrians and horses. AAA road
service would have consisted of oxcarts. The first
real four-wheeling of my trip. |
The residents of the
island grow bananas and assorted other crops. Many
fish and bath in the lake. They were extremely friendly
and curious. Some expressed great pride in the lack
of crime, drugs and alcohol on the island.
Exploring the coast we happened upon a young lady
doing laundry in the lake. We chatted with her and
she agreed to having her picture taken. Immediately
after
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taking
this picture, I whacked my head on a jagged overhanging
branch and soon blood was flowing onto my face. Another
adventure; third world medical care! But no, the blood
made it seem much worse than it actually was. The white
cloth hanging
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from the branch was used as a compress and the bleeding
stopped momentarily. The woman said, "don't
worry it's just a baby diaper..." Great! As
if the water from the lake itself wasn't dirty enough.
But I'm fine and healing nicely. |
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