A Christmas Run to Managua...

[catahoula fan]

A trip to Managua is a necessary evil sometimes. I can find most everything I need in towns closer to our house, but around the holidays Managua carries items you simply can't find anywhere else, especially when throwing a theme party. If I gotta go there though, I'm gonna make the most of it and that means dragging friends along for the adventure.

We headed out waaaay too early for my taste, picked up a Nica friend in Jinotepe, swung through Pineapple Valley for a few piña dorados, and made it to Tres Frijoles' by 8. Town was bustling but we saw very few cops all morning long. Lugo's Ferreteria is as chock full of goodies as ever and the salespeople are still friendly and helpful. Their seed selection is increasing and I was able to pick up sage and Marketmore cucs...now I just need more planting room around this house. :rolleyes:

Something odd always happens during a Managua trip. Our weird moment of the day was seeing this bumper sticker on our way to buy food for a Cajun-themed party.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/4168363696_a5aed1bd08_m.jpg

Man, if I could find someplace to buy frozen crawfish tails...I'd be spending waaaay more money! (PS, Roger says he doesn't want y'all to help me find crawfish, 'kay?) Last stop on the list was a quick peek at D'Europa, the new German food store at Km 8.5 Carr Sur, Centro Commercial La Liga (left hand side heading south), 2-265-0030

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4167602185_7eab9038a8_m.jpg

There's not a whole lot in there right now, but I could have spent more money no doubt. ;) A case of wheat beer was $32, they had Jaegermeister, beer glasses, a wheat liquor, awesome candies (just HAD to have Ritter whole hazelnut milk chocolate, and lots of holiday specific cookies and candies.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/4167602533_7541d1ec7f_m.jpg

The owner says he'll have a new shipment after the holidays and that he's got dark beer coming soon. This was the second store we saw today that had a list for folks to add wanted items to. Could shopping be getting even more fun down here?:cool:

[Just Plain John Wayne]

Them crawfish ain't nothin' but glorifyed river shrimp....

Ya ought to be able to get them over there.....

[doming00]

being from chinandega there is no such thing as high end shopping malls, need to go to Managua for it.

[El Greco]

I Love December, is a month where the ambiance is festive plus my B-Day is also in December

[Just Plain John Wayne]

Ahhhh, you cornhole....Tell us when it is so we can pick on you good fashion.....

[El Greco]

Ahhhh, you cornhole....Tell us when it is so we can pick on you good fashion.....
Is The 17th!

[FisherCigarman]

Actually, river shrimp are WAY better and meatier than crawfish,we have them close to Esteli,some of them grow as big as an Atlantic Lobster:eek::eek:.
I know than they catch them by the bucketfull up in the Rio San Juan and all over the DAC.


Them crawfish ain't nothin' but glorifyed river shrimp....

Ya ought to be able to get them over there.....

[Dr. Demento]

We headed out waaaay too early for my taste, picked up a Nica friend in Jinotepe, swung through Pineapple Valley for a few piña dorados, ?:cool:
you had a great picture on the other site of that valley, didn't you?

[Just Plain John Wayne]

Actually, river shrimp are WAY better and meatier than crawfish,we have them close to Esteli,some of them grow as big as an Atlantic Lobster:eek::eek:.
I know than they catch them by the bucketfull up in the Rio San Juan and all over the DAC.

You are right, I might be talkin' about 2 different animals all together

'Em river shrimp are nice all decked out......

I would choose them any day over a Lobster.....

[tresfrijoles]

The Jagermeister at this store was comparable in price to that in the US, so that is a good sign... and I have never seen any other store carrying it here in Nicaragua?

The only thing I did not like about this store was how tiny it was, they deffinitely need more merchandise.

I wish there was a market kind of setup somewhere in Managua, where stores like this could all get together and feature their products in one place, kind of like kiosks or mini stores.

[catahoula fan]

you had a great picture on the other site of that valley, didn't you?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/4172582210_5cc5ea402b_m.jpg

[Dr. Demento]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/4172582210_5cc5ea402b_m.jpg
yes, incredible! good on you, cat!

[catahoula fan]

Here are some party pix from the latest shindig...

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs099.snc3/16650_202083317615_742977615_3129715_7567215_n.jpg
Our spread, duck gumbo, muffalettas, coconut macaroons, pecan pie and rum punch.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs099.snc3/16650_202083327615_742977615_3129717_6264479_n.jpg
VampireBat, Alberto and one of our lawyers diggin' in.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs119.snc3/16650_202088567615_742977615_3129753_7234792_n.jpg
Claudia

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs099.snc3/16650_202088597615_742977615_3129754_4159867_n.jpg
RVG AG eating more gumbo!

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs119.snc3/16650_202083332615_742977615_3129718_3934809_n.jpg
Catahoula Fan and Tres Frijoles enjoying life in the tropics.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs099.snc3/16650_202083322615_742977615_3129716_5170015_n.jpg
The SMOOTHEST whiskey I've ever tasted! RVG AG, you the man!

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs099.snc3/16650_202088607615_742977615_3129755_6365108_n.jpg
This menu was a big hit, I think we'll have to have another Cajun party soon.:cheers:

[gen08]

Seems that was a quite good party , a lots of goodies, such a nice Christmas tree.
Hope next year I will be there.Congrats, Melissa and Roger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cheers:

[El Doc]

Ahhh! I missed the Elijah Craig!

Sorry I missed this get together. I didn't finish my last project of the year until around noon yesterday, at which time I collapsed in the hammock. I'm sure it was as good as always.

[Dr. Demento]

rpg looks like an aggie.

[Jonh]

Let's talk about Claudia...

[Little Corn Tom]

Let's talk about Claudia...

John,

You are a sexist pig....

But really .... more about Claudia....

[Just Plain John Wayne]

Purdy is as purdy does.......

Both Mil..... and Caludia are beautiful women........

Prizes to be sure......

And 3F poor thing, he is right along side RPG in an ugly contest........

Glad ya'll had a good time....

[Dr. Demento]

cute dimples

[tresfrijoles]

man my pictures have been coming out pretty bad lately, but that picture of me just doesn't do me any justice what soever, heres a photo from my phone camera taken at the exact same time.

http://www.therealnicaragua.com/vb/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2055&stc=1&d=1260766003

[El Doc]

man my pictures have been coming out pretty bad lately, but that picture of me just doesn't do me any justice what soever, heres a photo from my phone camera taken at the exact same time.



:lmao: I think Melissa is having fun with Photoshop! I mean, in those pictures, you'd swear the Aggie wasn't black! :lmao:

[Just Plain John Wayne]

man my pictures have been coming out pretty bad lately, but that picture of me just doesn't do me any justice what soever, heres a photo from my phone camera taken at the exact same time.

http://www.therealnicaragua.com/vb/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2055&stc=1&d=1260766003

Hey 'em pic's you put on here with the phone camera ai't that bad.....

I give a fortune for a phone with that feature for my wife.... and its terrible..