Gringo Central

Twitter Updates for 2010-07-07

The Big Gringo — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 06:48:00 +0000

Shopping for souvenirs in Costa Rica? Make sure you hit up Mercado Central in San Jose – cheap, authentic CR goods – http://bit.ly/ahbU1G #
Get out of Quito and head to Otavalo – stay with my friends at La Luna – http://bit.ly/9IuxJY #

Twitter Updates for 2010-07-06

The Big Gringo — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:48:00 +0000

Spent a crazy weekend partying in Panama City. Hit up some old haunts and some new ones. Check it out – http://bit.ly/aYBhzm #

Twitter Updates for 2010-07-04

The Big Gringo — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 06:48:00 +0000

Looking for a drink in Quito? Drinking laws have changed and many are not happy out it. Read the full story here – http://bit.ly/atVicq #
It is the weekend and I know where I want to be – Lake Gatun! http://bit.ly/dvNdE3 #

The Route of the Flowers – First Stop, Nahuizalco!

the elsalvador gringo — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:52:37 +0000

The Route of the Flowers is one of the most popular destinations in El Salvador. One of the first stops on the journey into the department of Sonsonate is Nahuizalco, a town at the base of the Sierra Apaneca-Itlamatepec. It is famous for its native community and their massive production of arts and crafts.

The town is full of little stores boasting high quality local artwork and wicker and reed baskets. Nahuizalco is most famous for its furniture, which is the pride of the people, hand-crafted into a variety of exquisite designs from Indian shot, cedar and bay wood.

The prices are very reasonable – everyone in this town makes furniture! It is a family art that has been handed down from generation to generation. Workshops line the highway as you enter town, and once you get into town there are several shops on the right hand side of the road. Many choose to drive in from the city to purchase their furniture in Nahuizalco.

The Route of the Flowers begins in Nahuizalco, which is 5 km north of Sonsonate along Highway 8, and about 70 km west of San Salvador off of Highway 1. By car take Highway 1 out of San Salvador to Highway 8 up on to Nahuizalco. You will see the signs.

If you are traveling by bus take the 205 from San Salvador to Sonsonate. Once in Sonsonate take the 53D. It will drop you off in the central park of Nahuizalco.

More on Nahuizalco and the fun things to do there to come!

Katira Costa Rica and the Rio Celeste

the costa rica gringo — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:00:08 +0000

The small town of Katira is home to one of the most spectacular rivers in the entire world, known as Rio Celeste or The Blue River makes this little town an unknown treasure. The river’s intense turquoise water is the product of a whimsical combination of pure river water and volcanic minerals makes this one of two rivers in the entire world that can produce waters this color. Natural hot springs, boiling pool and an insanely blue lagoon are just a few of the attractions in the area. There is even a beautiful waterfall that is well worth the trip down the long winding dirt road.

You may want to bring food and snacks before you come to Katira since there is only one grocery store in the entire town and it does not have much to offer. You may also want to get gas before arriving in Katira since they only have one gas station in the entire town.

Now if you are the adventurous type this is definitely it. When I arrived in the town and needed gas I was told that only one family that lives behind the grocery store sells gas. I drove to the grocery store, down a dirt road to a little house with a shed on the left. A woman came out with a milk jug of gas and poured it in to my tank using a coke bottle cut in half and a hose. This allowed me to get around for a little while I do believe the gas was watered down since my car burned through it rather quickly.

After this I thought I would head to see the river to find that the river was brown and not blue which was rather disappointing. Apparently you do not want to travel to see the river on a rainy day since the run off can dirty the river and change it to brown instead of turquoise. Either way Katira is a fun trip with a wonderful friendly community that makes your trip well worth it even if you come on a rainy day.

Hidden Antique Clock Shop on Pasaje Rivarola

the argentina gringo — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:38:56 +0000

A friend recently tipped me off to an interesting little shop on Pasaje Rivarola, a block that is only about 100 meters long and is home to only 2 French style buildings, one mirroring the opposite. It is on that street that you will find El Cementerio de los Relojes (Clock Cemetery).

The fantastic little clock shop houses some amazing time keeping pieces, and is a nice little charming store to browse through, even if you aren’t a collector, it is a cool place to look around in.

The street is Pasaje Rivarola is located two blocks north of Av de Mayo. It is right between avenidas Mitre and Peron and between Uruguay and Talcahuano, tucked away.

It just goes to show you that behind every little corner in BA tehre is something cool and unique just waiting to be discovered.

SphereMania at the Magna Marbella Golf Venue

the panama gringo — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:00:20 +0000

As a Gringo in Panama I see a lot of things that are strange… but the strangest to date would have to be SphereMania in Marbella.

How does rolling down a hill at speeds up to 40 kph sound to you? What about while you are inside a 4 meter in diameter inflatable sphere? It certainly falls into the category of adventure for the whole family!

You can choose from the Harness Sphere and the Aqua Sphere. Harness sphereing is the traditional way – you are strapped into the giant sphere with 3 feet of air between you and the ground. Aqua sphereing is pretty crazy. There are no harnesses, just water, kind of like being inside of a washing machine. If you decide to get inside with friends, make sure they’re close ones!

The harness sphere is $28 for adults (14 years+) and 23 for children. Aqua sphereing costs $45 for 1 person, $56 for 2 people and $65 for 3 people.

SphereMania is located within the Magna Marbella Golf entertainment and adventure complex. Within the venue there is a pretty good bar and restaurant, Magna Cafe, which is a great place for those who aren’t up for the inflatable sphere to sit and watch the fun.

For more information about SphereMania click here.

Magna Marbella is located at Nueva Andalucia, Marbella 29660. Phone number (+34) 611 611 606

Delivery Services in Costa Rica

the costa rica gringo — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:00:59 +0000

When I arrived to Costa Rica, I saw a lot of signs on various businesses that state “Express” or in Spanish “Domicilio” which means service at your door. In the United States, express generally denotes speed. Yet, in Costa Rica this word means delivery.

There is a wide variety of items that can be delivered in Costa Rica. One of my favorite services, other than pizza delivery, that I can regularly take advantage of is is Dry Cleaning. Though I have heard of others having issues with dry cleaning companies such as; damaged clothes and lost items. I, on the other hand, have never experienced any problems.

What I have found is that since many do not use the dry cleaning services on a regular basis, the dry cleaners are excellent in customer service. For example, the service I use ATS Dry Cleaners knows me by my voice (or maybe it’s my Gringo accent) when I call in. They are prompt in pick up, as well as in delivery.

As mentioned before, my favorite form of express service is pizza. The one problem I found with this type of service is unlike in the US, they don’t have heated bags for delivery. That is of course, except for the well known Pizza Hut, which is more expensive than other pizza joints. In general, your pizza will arrive at the house, at best, warm.

Other establishments that provides “express” or “domicilio” services are grocery stores, butcher shops, and your local “pulperia”. Pulperias are small stores that provide your basic grocery needs.

Most big name furniture places like “Gollo” will pay for your private delivery service, but that doesn’t include hard labor. They do expect you to do most of the heavy lifting. At times, you may find the occasional nice guys that will help you move your purchases in the house, but you definitely want to make sure you tip them for their additional help.

Look around your area, and you will find a wide variety of “express” services, which although doesn’t mean faster, it at least means you can get stuff taken care of while you wait for your delivery.

Mayan Ruins Near Guatemala City

the guatemala gringo — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:00:07 +0000

For those passing through Guatemala, unable to get more than a day trip in from Guatemala City, check out Mixco Viejo. These Mayan ruins aren’t anywhere near the splendor you will find at Tikal or Quirigua, but they are a favored spot for day-trippers from Guatemala City.

The ruins are dated back to the 12–century and they are believed to be remains of a ceremonial site, made up of many temples and palaces. There are also several ball courts that were used to play the Mayan ballgame of pitziil, a game that is a mix of soccer and volleyball. It is found here at the ceremonial grounds because it was believed to be a link between mortals and gods and between the past at the future.

Entrance to the ruins and a small museum at Mixco Viejo costs Q20. The site is open daily from 7 am -4:30 pm. Make sure and bring your camera; the views from the mountaintop are incredible!

Hot Day in Buenos Aires? Get some Ice Cream!

the argentina gringo — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:00:35 +0000

There are plenty of fantastic ice cream joints to choose from in Buenos Aires, but for a reliable chain, head to Freddo. There are countless branches around town, and the chain has high standards that are upheld throughout the different locations.

Freddo started in 1969 as a family business, which was sold in the early 90s. After that it started to expand, and expand it has! Not only do they have a whole host of new flavors, they also have a Kosher line, and a gluten-free line, and serve Aerolineas Argentinas’s business class. You can even purchase ice cream online! (www.freddo.com.ar)

If you want the original goodness of Freddo, head to Perssico, the ultrapopular ice cream parlor created by the original owners of Freddo. The amazing flavors haven’t changed from they days when Freddo was more about the ice cream, and less about the commercialism.

There is also Volta, that offers the delicious ice cream flavors such as dulce de leche and dark chocolate, as well as coffee, chocolates and pastries. YOu can get ice cream delivered straight to your door, complete with dry ice. Call 0810–88–86582 toll free in BA, and they even speak English!

No matter which one you try, you are sure to be pleased with the delicious ice cream of Buenos Aires!