Rodeo Time!

We didn’t have much in the way of food, but scraped together a few meals on the island. One night, it was tuna fish in tortillas. Unfortunately, the bowl fell. Doug and Jason examined what we deemed ‘floor tuna’ and went for the part not touching the ground. I passed.

I told Doug that every day we are stopped at some point by cows or pigs in the road. He didn’t believe us at first and insisted on taking photos every time. He’s since agreed.

The lake water was warm and not very refreshing, but we found Ojo de Agua in the middle of the island. The man at the gate touted the medicinal effects of the water said the average person felt 10 years younger after soaking in it. That is, except for the 100 year old woman who went in and now feels like she’s 40. Well worth the $2 fee. The water was clear and refreshing. We went back the next day, too.

Both days we were hit with the rainstorm while we were there. On day 2 while hanging out in the covered palapa we met Dario and his gang. Dario owns a surf shop at the beach and was here on vacation with his kids and friends. He told us about a festival and rodeo in a town across the island.

We followed them into Moyogalpa. On the way, we stopped for a few photos and the kids chased 2 calves. Then they found a horse. The owner was happy to let them on.

We rolled into town to find the Wild West in the streets. It was a parade of dancing horses,  cowboys and homemade gunpowder fireworks…and virgins.  It was completely out of control and like stepping into the past.

A block over was the park and ‘arena’ with fire pits and chickens roasting everywhere. One quote of the evening was “They grow some damn tasty chickens on this island.”  Es verdad. There were even babies drinking beer.

Then, a rodeo. We paid our 30 cordobas and went up into the smokey stands to see some bull riding.

The bulls were tied up to a tree stump in the arena until they were angry, a cowboy climbs on and  the guys would let go of the rope. The bull usually made a break for the stands, and the hundreds of insane young men running around inside the ring would scurry up the sides of the rickety stands. The whole stadium would shake and feel like it was going to fall down. Strangers would grab whatever kid was in front of them just in case.

It was quite a night.