Nicaragua Feb 18 pm Broken axle

Just arrived back in Managua.  We rode here from Jinotega in this broken-down Hyundai

micro-bus which had a broken axle half way here.  It was rea-al fun.  We are going to eat

and stuff soon.  We drove from the high mountain area down to Managua through the

afternoon and shortly after we got through Matagalpa the axle broke.  The van had been

straining through the entire trip but apparently had had enough.  The Vincentians pulled to

the road side and there was a dairy farm across the street.  We looked at the cows.  They

all had big ears.  Then we drove back to a repair shop which looked more like a vehicle

grave yard.  This was when I became somewhat concerned.  It was getting late and we were

going to be half way there with no transportation.  The Vincentians assured us that it would

only take 15 minutes to fix.  It actually took 25 but that was way less than I expected.

And then we were off towards Managua again.  The trip was still a couple hours more

but I admit the ride was smoother.  I do appreciate the Vincentians calm in the face of

my American impatience.