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Adventure colliding with strikes - Dave's latest update from the blog:
Well Granada kept me for a little more time than I expected; Granada is certainly a tourist town, lively, probably safe most of the time, cheap and attractive; although there are a few smelly places and dangerous holes to fall in, just like Central America in general.
On my leaving I got stopped by the Transit Police; ”just another routine stop”
I did absolutely nothing wrong; the first cop seemed decent, the second cop asked for my ID and license, he then says I was driving dangerous in the middle lines, ”What do you say” All I know is that I probably never said the right thing, the ****er writes me a ticket, and keeps my license, until I return with a payment slip from the nank saying I have paid, $40 fine for the offence. Never felt too good about that, but when you look back it could of always been a lot worse? It wouldnt of been so bad if I had done the crime; I was innocent. ”Who cares”
Anyway I went to the bank, paid my fine: and returned, he was still there; which was my second concern. I showed him the payment slip and he gave me my license - I continued.
My destination was still Somoto, its a destination that has to be checked out, its a big water canyon, good hiking and swimming is what its about.
No sir not today: there is a Huelga.. It means strike, the road is blocked and no-one passes, so with little option I sleep in the small pueblo called Condega, which is basically on the strike line.
Simple place, very cowboy style, its own culture and style for sure. No McDonald’s here. Only good cigars. When I wake up and talk to a few people I am informed the strike is still strong, you will not pass.
Very mixed opinions here; I can pass / I wont pass. All I do know personally is that strike lines are delicate and should be considered potentially dangerous. I stopped 100 mtrs before the big no pass-line; I was certainly speaking with the strikers like the first division or the first line of protest.
I really wanted to check out Somoto, but this situation was totally out of my control, if I turn around it will be at least a four hour ride to the other border to leave Nicaragua; and then I will have to stay in Choleteca, its a shit hole, but it will put me in a direction that is not what i want…
Should I stay or should I go?
After talking, sharing my cigar and having a bit of a laugh; the moment had arrived when I ride to the front line with two of my strikers on my trike smoking my cigars; it would of made a great picture, but unfortunately not on my camera this time.
We get told No, “OK, OK” … I truly had no great expectations, this was not my biggest problem, but within a minute I had about 100 strikers around me, its not really about me, its all about the trike. Seriously I think the whole strike line left and came to me; I was still focused on riding forward, but I was going nowhere.
Then one of my strikers waves me forward, It was a good sight, with a little gas and good clutch control I was moving towards Somoto!
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