http://www.today.com/food/its-got-be-crispy-woman-105-says-bacon-key-lon...

It has always been my understanding that people who leave Nicaragua because their tourist visas are expiring must stay out for 72 hours before returning.

However, last week I met with a Nicaraguan immigration lawyer who insisted that it was perfectly legal to cross into Costa Rica and return on the same day.

The lawyer I spoke to is highly regarded in his field and teaches immigration law at a law school here.

Nonetheless, on the weekend I spoke to a foreigner who said that border officials recently told him that he was not allowed to re-enter Nicaragua for 72 hours.

I promised my sweetie I'd take her to Ometepe for her birthday. She can only go for the weekend so we will jump on the ferry around noon on Friday and return late on Sunday afternoon.

I've decided not to bring the car so we will be taking buses and taxis around the island.

Can anyone recommend a clean, comfortable, QUIET (!) place to stay on the island that's reachable by public transit? Preferably somewhat romantic and in a natural setting, for maybe not much more than around $50 per night?

Suzuki Samurai 1995 4x4 Aire Acondicionado Excelente estado mecánico

$5000 dolares.

The "Train of Death" is the common name for a train in Mexico that heads north to Mexico City which is a common method for illegal immigrants from Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala use as part of their trip to the US. An article in Nigerian Tribune has an article about this including a photo. (Yes, really, Nigerian Tribune.)

A short AP article which appeared in boston.com includes the following:

Venezuela’s president says Honduras and Guatemala have been included in the Petrocaribe program, under which his country provides oil and natural gas on preferential terms.

It seems that most of the lawyer horror stories are related to real estate purchases and sales. There are also other real estate related ripoffs such as the utility bills not being up to date. This makes me think the idea of a real estate closing agent in Nicaragua would be a good thing.

In at least the states of California and Washington, these folks are state licensed. Their use is optional but, in my experience, well worth their cost. Let me explain what they do.

Well, a White House fact sheet titled United States Support for Central American citizen security pretty much suggests that.

This fact sheet is a result of the meeting that just took place. While most of it is the usual, one item stands out to me. It seems to be inspired by efforts in Central America, led by Guatemala, to characterize the drug problem as one of US consumption rather than Central American transport.

Bees or lack thereof in the US and in Europe are in the news right now. Europe has just put a 2-year ban on various pesticides that appear to be killing bees. In the US, there seems to be only talk. I have seen no information on whether the US problem is spreading to the south. Thus, a longer version of the question would include "or, will it in the future?"

A brief NPR radio broadcast:

http://www.openculture.com/2013/04/the_history_of_coffee_and_how_it_tran...

http://www.openculture.com/2012/07/the_vertue_of_the_coffee_drink_london...

Off thread,, but I may never drink another coke. Some things are sacred:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAUDHxDYMMo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0PMq4XGtZ4