Leaving Managua Airport down the highway viewing trash caught in fencing. Over fields of dust and clouds the Volcano rises into the heat of an open sky. I look out the right and see Sandino standing proud flanked by the Nicaraguan National flag and to his left hand, FSLN of Red and Black. Not long across the pavement marked with holes, our turn into Masaya takes me into the center of town and to my friends Hotel, Madera's Inn. This day another friend Julio arrives to scoop me up for a lunch at the rim of Laguna De Apoyo. Four Beers, two nice slices of beef steak pillages my finance nearly $1.50 USD.
That evening brings us to a small town of charm. Inside tin walls lay the dirt of the Rodeo Arena. Supported above it 8 foot, wooden flooring, makes a good drum as my boots clomp their way to open seats. Separating us from the center the chain link fence is decorated with young boys not yet old enough to ride. At my left, the band fills the air with notes while gates open at the end. TA DAAA.. a traditional Bull song heard all over the world begins. Leaping with teeth clenching Bandannas, Men grip with leg, Bulls seek to rid themselves of unwanted riders. Every now and then a load BOOM fills the air with Festival taking hold up the street. Victoria Beers and people watching, these open smiles are soothing my thirst for Nicaragua.
Closing the Rodeo, Julio and I lay foot to the festival now pouring out around the town. Streets are lined with cookers and drinks, to be had both hot and cold. Music and fireworks jump into the night sky they too hot and cold. Revolution songs and typical local renditions take the crowd away from their hard week of work. This night they are free from the heat of the fields and free from the worry of unemployment. I too am free and enjoy a Rodeo and Festival in a small town in Nicaragua.
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