Shopping in Massaya

Yesterday  was a rewarding, interesting if somewhat exhausting day! I left hotel at 6.15 collecting Amada and Jose en route. We got the more comfortable ferry from San Jose but the water was a bit calmer anyway.

We then got a taxi to Rivas to change money and get on the bus. What fun that was.! Various people got on and off to sell their wares, drinks, nuts, crisps, herbal medicine.  I think the conductor ( well the man who collected the money) was amused by my presence and decided to practice a bit of English. I think we were on the bus a couple of hours as it was about 11 when we arrived in Massaya.

We then walked to the market which covered a huge area and I am pretty sure is the one we visited from La Mariposa last year. A rabbit warren of stalls in which it would be easy to get lost.

Jose loves the market with its huge range of products and produce, so I explained the phrase Aladin's cave.  We proceeded to investigate a couple of stalls and Jose and Amada settled on the one that gave both a good price and quality. You see what is important to remember is that although these children have little, they still deserve the best as they are all our future. So I was in complete agreement. I am continually impressed by his passion and commitment to his community.

So with the enormous help of the staff we spent about two and a half hours shopping, purchasing a vest/ t-shirt, shirt, skirt or trousers for the list if 35 children. I bought some more pencils for next week's activities and some paper. So as not to confuse things, I let Amada and Jose do all the negotiations and cross check their lists. I kept thinking how much easier it would have been had they had the computer and a spreadsheet. 

We were obviously good customers as the owner gave us both coffee and lunch, which had been delivered to the stall for his staff/ family. So rice, beans and a fried egg with some salted vegetables were given to me with great hospitality.

We left with a huge bag of goodies having spent around 550$.

I realised time was getting on and suggested we do the return trip by taxi, as we needed to get back to San Jorge for the last ferry st 5pm. So Jose negotiated a price explaining later that the tourist price would have been much higher, and quite rightly so given our incomes and standard of living by comparison. The taxi also gave us the flexibility for a stop en route for drinks and food.

We arrived at the ferry with 15 minutes to spare. This time there was a price to pay for the goods we were returning with.

Back home to beautiful Ometepe Island after a satisfying day's work. Today we have to sort it all out!