Sometimes Rest is the Command

Sunday found JD and I without two important things: A clinic and a ride...to anywhere. Today was the originally scheduled Showcase with Boer in conjunction with IBA. We waited in the morning to hear from Bob or Phil as the opportunity to work with a team, which JD and I hoped would actualize, appeared to be imminent. The chance to work with a team is really ideal if no clinic can be secured and we hoped for the best. 

The breakfast crew has been fantastic all week. Our main waiter is a baseball player at night and had a game in Leon, about an hour away. We couldn't make it, but JD brought him a baseball that he asked us to sign. I broke out my autograph from 1991 while JD had his signature still fresh from his time at Pepperdine. 

There was no follow up call or email, so we decided to head out, with a very short leash, out and around our hotel area. The first mall, the JV mall, was directly across the street and is reminiscent of the early malls I frequented growing up. The kids are still looking for opportunities to sneak away but instead of making eye contact with a nod of the head, they text to each other because they can. 

Outside in the court area pictured below, a group of teens had an empty 2 liter bottle and were playing "Spin the Bottle", minus the smooching (maybe it was for later and they were keeping track). This area seems to be the area where the smooching takes place, as we observed several couples staking out their spot in the second level area outside. 

Center Court Managua Mall

We then took the elevator up to the top floor, which is reserved for weddings and other formal settings. If we had found this earlier in the week, we may have been up here more as the views, as well as the wind, were refreshing. From the roof, we got a great view of Lake Managua in the distance, Dennis Martinez Stadium, The Liberation Army Headquarters (a stone's throw from our hotel, but we recommend not throwing any stones), and neighborhoods covered with corrugated roofing and cinder block walls. Quite a juxtaposition.

Atop Crowne Plaza overlooking Managua

Just to the right of the photo below is a large monument with stairs leading up to the top. We walked along the road you see below and up to the steps thinking nothing of the next step until the armed guard we just passed said firmly, "No". We stopped, turned around and figured the best thing to do was retrace our steps, like defensive ends are taught to do when recognizing screens. Further down the road is the history of the Sandinista's and the leaders of each "administration" along with their photos which look like a most wanted set in a post office. They are proud of their history and the army is and has been pretty stalwart over the years. 

Juan made mention on our way back from Esteli the Sandinista's had "lost their way" by not keeping the ideals of Sandino, the hero of Nicaragua in the early 20th century. 

Headquarters for the Liberation Army

Lake Managua

Sandinistan Monument we could not go up

Neighborhood by Hotel

Our Home away from Home

Our night ended with another treat, Papa John's Pizza, ordered by one of our new friends and 45 minutes later, we were set for the night. We weren't sure if the pizza was delivered on a bicycle, motorcycle or car but it was delicious. 

JD gives a thumbs up for Papa John's