Nicaraguan Adventure - Day 3: a Leon! (12/29/10)

Had breakfast at the hostel and headed out towards Leon. Upon checking out, we pay our tab (137$ - for 2 people eating, drinking, sleeping, etc. not too bad) and get on the bus back to Leon. From the bus station, we get a cab to Via Via hostel, who actually kept the reservation I made and checked us in to the El Hoyo room (350C or 17$ a night). We put our names down for a sand-boarding trek with quetzal trekkers and then go change cash. Have lunch at the hostel while looking at places to eat and drink while in Leon. We hang out and L takes my Sudoku book (I taught him how to do it in LP) as he is now obsessed. We hang out a bit having some drinks before showering and heading out to explore a little bit and get some dinner. 

I believe this is the main cathedral in Leon. It was a huge, beautiful church near the center of town. 

Little area near the cathedral with a miniature Jesus statue in the little fountain looking thing behind me

We got thirsty as we walked around town so we settled into a random hole in the wall place and had a beer watching people walk to work and hang out nearby. 

One of my MOs when I travel is to check out local places of worship. This was the inside of a church that was allowing people to enter. So pristine and beautiful.

Outside of the church we went into. The outside is as fabulous as the inside was.

Wind up going to Taquezal which is having karaoke tonight (Wednesday seems to be Karaoke night in Leon as we saw many places with it walking around). After dinner, Luis takes some shots for some friends back home so he lines up whiskey, tequila, and vodka shots and proceeds to take them, struggling after the second one as one should. During dinner we noticed giant dressed creatures walking around on stilts with kids escorting them banging on drums. 

Having dinner at a cafe having karaoke night so I get a sippy drink.

Time to eat dinner. Looks tasty. If you noticed I am not currently eating for this picture. I am a quick learner.

Apparently tonight there was a contest of sorts for these giant mannequin things. After dinner, we find Olla Queada, a bar that Jill recommended as they had a live band on Wednesday nights. The band was good, playing American music, and the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves. Have a few beers there hanging out and enjoying the music before making our way back to the hostel to get some sleep for tomorrow's excursion.

One of the mannequin ladies we saw running around the streets. More of them would appear over the next few days.