Off the tourist path in Nicaragua

Here we are on Day 15 at Ometeppe Island, an island in Lake Nicaragua. We just finished our volunteer venture in the small town of Jinoteppe, where I did Art therapy presentation for assisted care workers. That experience forced us off the tourist Grid and into small town Nicaragua, an interesting experience. We took a mini bus from Leon to Jinoteppe, packed with locals for an hour. My lack of Spanish and their lack of English made communication hard but these sweet People tried to help us. when it came time to pay, I asked for two persons and Then pointed to the roof to pay for our bag. all the riders roared in laughter, Thinking I paid for a third person the roof of the bus. Oy vay! We stayed in an "Eco posada" (Ecolodge) run by Roberto. So we were surprised when We saw a small monkey chained to a tree at the entrance. Eco lodge? the gardens were wild and overgrown,much like Roberto himself. Robert is 72 years old, Wears a little gray pony tail, and runs this funky lodge, full of his collections Of seashells, old magazines, surreal paintings, and captive wild animals (parrots Too). We tourists need a definition for "Eco lodge". this one did not fit. the good news is that he is helpful. when Chuck had a toothache on Sunday, Roberto hauled us in his truck to a dentist's home at 10 AM. She examined Chuck, gave him a good bill of health at no charge. thanks, Roberto. Now we are off to the river, Rio San Juan for a new adventure. Adios!