Our Man in Granada

The top ten yings and yangs of living overseas

I’ve long had the Y&Y theory about travelling. 

How many times have you been chased away by bitey things from what was otherwise the perfect spot?

I mean, England may be a little bit grey and damp, but I honestly never saw one cockroach until I travelled overseas.

So, while I’m not about to give it all up just yet, it’s just worth remembering that there’s frequently a small downside to all the cool stuff.

But you’re still jealous, right?

Baby's got blue eyes

Arguably the most guapo dude in Nicaragua.  Meet Kino.

We're currently keeping Kino and chum Black Jack company as part of a very generous house sit deal.

They're beautiful dogs.

Luckily they've a big garden to run around in because, so far, our attempts to get them out on a walk have only met with paw prints up my chest and lead-induced near-strangulation before we aborted the trip.

However, there will be a Round Two as bigger, stronger leads, that don't tie around the throat ,are on their way to us from their doting overseas owners.

Other attempts to amuse them have met with mixed results. 

Yesterday I bought a ball that honestly burst inside 20 seconds leaving two very bewildered and slightly guilty looking mutts. 

Today I bought a plastic squeaky hotdog which has been well received. Then again, Kino has taken to it so much, and guards it so closely, that Blackjack keeps shooting me a sad, mounful look that says: "Where's mine?"

Another trip to the pet shop is in order.

I'll stop now before this turns into a pet blog.

The kids on my street

Pic taken this afternoon. It was their idea.

Final Guest Post Slot

Entitled "Blogging is Better than Big Emails Home" my final guest posting with Budget Travel Online is here.  It also includes my top ten blogging memories.

The rest of the guest posts are:

* From Vietnam's KOTO to Nicaragua's Cafe Chavalos

* Meeting the Chavalos

* How I Wound up Living Overseas

* Why Volunteering is Better than Travelling

The pic above is of the kids who live here on Calle Arsenal.  I was shocked when I got the name they called me translated.  But I think we're edging towards being friends.

The revolution will be blogged

Sometimes you watch something that will stay with you forever.

Last night I was transfixed by The Revolution will not be Televised.  It tells the story of the failed media-driven coup against Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. It was breathtaking.

And as we continue to read about Chavez closing down TV stations it is worth remember that this is a guy who is arguably safeguarding democracy not fighting it.

You can watch the film here.  Strike that.  You MUST watch the film.  I guarantee it will change the way you see the world and how it is reported to us.

One more thing.  I have marched for various causes throughout my life.  Just once I want to be part of a march like the one which demands the return of Chavez.  Just once I want to be, not only on the "winning" side, but also witness wrongs being righted before my eyes.

Hat tip to Bob Piper for this post which inspired the above.

The foods we left behind

TOP TIP: if you're ever overseas for an extended amount of time, don't embarass yourself at the outset, by uttering the following amateurish phrase:

"Oh I would never touch a hamburger.  Really all I need is (insert local staple here)"

Bloggers that make me mad

Okay comment moderation seems increasingly widespread.  To me it's against the whole principles of blogging but whatever.

Worse still, I went to leave a message on Lifehacker and was asked to "audition" first to be a commenter.  Audition?  Really?  I was half way through writing a rude message when I decided to rise above it.

Recently on a couple of blog posts I have had vague issues with the accuracy of what had been written so I left a querying message.  When I checked back later the blog post had been changed, the mistake corrected and my comment gone. No recognition of the comment and no acknowledgment of the change.

But far far far, worse than all of these are bloggers who simply ignore their comments.   Why would you do that?  Do they think your point is beneath them?  Do they see their contribution as just the blog post and nothing more?

I don't get it.  Worse still, they give a warm welcome to friends' comments which makes the overlooking of your words of wisdom even more obvious.

It just makes me want to post another post saying: "Hello, hello...anyone out there.  Can you hear me?"

But that would not be cool.

Living for Volunteering

When Rachie at Living for Disco once told me that my old blog inspired her to volunteer overseas I was strangely proud.

I am sure there are times since when she wishes she had never ever seen it, but reading this fantastic post on her blog today I think, all things considered, she is glad she made the switch.  She's now a VSO volunteer in Namibia.

Her blog is simply superb.  Her writing is so consistently good it makes me swing between awe and jealousy.

A Nica blogs round up from a very hot, smelly gringo

Lots of Nica blogs and links below.

First off I got linked here.   My limited Spanish isn't really up to it but with the help of Babel Fish it seems friendly and it appears to be from a site cataloging Nica Blogs.

I've added it to my Nica Blogs list, in the right hand column,  where it sits alongside my own collection of other people's work. 

My first guest blog post for Budget Travel Online

As a result of some wonderful support, ie the number of comments on my competition entry, here.  I won the $500 prize and the chance to be guest blogger for a week..

First of several offerings is here and is called "From Vietnam's KOTO to Nicaragua's CafeChavalos."

Check back tomorrow for more.  Thanks again for helping me win.