Leon

Leon is hot. The bus terminal is like a fish market in the bad neibourhood of Freetown, Sierra Leone. But the city center is actually pretty nice. Old colonial houses, a lot of churches and some history to breath. The "Big Foot" hostel is only one of a lot of really nice options. Tourism is just picking up in strong fashion. Only 20 years ago they were burning the corpses of the fallen soldiers in the "parque central". Nigaraguas long history of civil war and dictatorship seems to have calmed down. Since the sandinist Daniel Ortega has been once again elected in 2007, Hugo Chavez has pumped a lot of money into the country. The prices for basic food have dropped to the half of pre-Ortega levels. Health care is truely universal - even for turists - and it's for free. Things are looking great for the FSLN, because americans buy oil from Venezuela and bolster their geopolitical position. Obama better goes green, oterwise latinamerica goes dark red.
The next day I wen't volcano boarding on the "cerro negro" volcano. It is still active, but only erupts every few years. Last time the surounding villages had 40 meters and Leon 9 meters of ash. So we hiked up this volcano and boarded down on a primitive sledge. I reached 42km/h.
In the evening we wen't out and Carla and me danced some salsa. Even dow I thought I would do really bad, I actually ruled the dancefloor. Thanks Carla
After a museum-day I wen't on to Leon.
I even heard from Irqu and we are going to meet in Costa Rica.