Granada, Nicaragua, el dos de inero, 2017

The day started out like normal- coffee, visiting and a little time in the swimming pool-

You can't get much cuter than Brooklyn!

It is going to be hard to leave-

This afternoon we went into Granada but were sort of skunked.  It being January 1, the church was closed-

It's massive and very beautiful.  There are also a lot of other colonial buildings that have been restored-

Of course not every building is colonial but they still look good- 

I am not sure what the relationship is with frogs, but....

We had plans to go to Volcano Masaya but learned it was closed so we just headed home, only to get stuck in crazy traffic-

Public transportation was very crowded-

It took us an hour to get through what normally takes 10 minutes.  There are no sidewalks or shoulders, so people walk on the road.  January 1 means more drinking than normal so it can be rather dangerous for drivers but we made it safe and sound.

I am feeling sad tonight because my time with Orville, Michèle, Jaclyn and A Jay, Adele, Mark and Brooklyn has come to an end.  They are a remarkable family: happy, helpful, friendly, caring, easy going - absolutely wonderful.  I am so lucky to have been able to spend the last 12 days with them.  I have had a fantastic time and I thank them from the bottom of my heart!

We have an early start tomorrow.  My flight leaves for Guatemala City at 6:15 and A Jay flies to Saskatoon at 7 so we're leaving at 3 am!  Good night!