The eternal bus ride 🚍

From Granada we went to the capital of Nicaragua: Managua. From there the plan is to travel to Guatemala City, where we will meet up with Sandra and Max (friends of ours).

We have an 18 hour bus ride ahead of us and 3 border crossings. The bus started at 1 a.m., we saved ourselves a hotel and spent the evening in the bus terminal. We didn't really dare to go out because we had read a lot of bad things about the city of Managua beforehand. It wouldn't make sense to walk around with all your luggage. But hunger drove us out and all doubts were quickly forgotten. We were asked directly if we needed help. We were shown where we could eat delicious food. The food (similar to empanadas, filled with rice and chicken, with coleslaw) was super tasty and a huge portion from a small street stand and very cheap, including 2 colas the whole thing only cost €3.50. Back in the bus terminal we played UNO and followed what was happening on the streets. It is Mary's Conception, which is celebrated very enthusiastically in Central America and over several weeks. With fireworks, firecrackers, unfortunately they weren't normal Chinese firecrackers, the volume would have been pleasant (even more annoying when they were let off at 6 a.m.), chanting and people meeting in the streets.

We started with the bus ride, everything went like clockwork to the Nicaragua and Honduras border. Difficulties only arose when leaving Honduras. The failure of the system resulted in a loooong queue of people. For the most part we had to wait in the blazing sun at what felt like 38 degrees. After 4 hours we finally made it. When we arrived at the counter, it took less than a minute before we both had our exit stamps in our passports. Entering El Salvador was very quick, we didn't even have to get out because the bus company took care of everything. People boarded the entire bus ride and explained what to do at the border. Sometimes the other passengers paid the people money or gave them their ID. It's just stupid that only Seline understands a little Spanish. The whole trip we traveled with a bad feeling in our stomachs because we never knew 100% what was coming next.

And we continue, of course our bus was significantly late. We arrived in Guatemala City at 2:30 a.m. We were so relieved to finally arrive. It took 34 hours from checking out in Granada to arriving in Guatemala City.😵‍💫😵‍💫 Since Guatemala City is not exactly known for its security, we immediately grabbed a taxi and drove to the hotel, right at the airport. Tired as a dog and exhausted from the strenuous bus ride, we fell into bed and looked forward to tomorrow and seeing Sandra and Max again.