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Thumper
07-10-2018, 08:54 AM
I've had the travel bug pretty heavily lately. We've been making do with 3-4 day trips to the coast, etc, but I'm way overdue to get the "F" out'ta Dodge for a REAL trip. Well, last week (JULY 4th to be exact), I pulled the trigger to travel for a few weeks in October/November. We usually plan to be in L.A. for a couple weeks in November for Lynn's mom's birthday and Thanksgiving with the family, but this year, I decided to slip on my big-boy pants and made the announcement I wanted to do something different. Well, part of the trip includes a trip to Nicaragua and we were to arrive on 10/29. I renewed my passport last year and renewed Lynn's this year, so we're all good in that department. I have our Global Entry credentials all squared away ... so let's GO!

Did I say I pulled the trigger on July 4th? Yeah, I think I did. Well I received this notice from the Dept. of State on July 7th!

Nicaragua Travel Advisory

Reconsider travel to Nicaragua due to crime, civil unrest, and limited healthcare availability.

On July 6, 2018, the U.S. government ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel. The U.S. Embassy remains open to provide emergency services for U.S. citizens.

Heavily armed, government-controlled parapolice forces in civilian clothing, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, operate in large parts of the country, including Managua (where we planned to visit after arriving in Corinto, 68 miles away). They are often in vehicles that don’t have license plates, and they may be escorted by uniformed police forces. These groups are attacking blockades, kidnapping and detaining individuals, taking over privately owned land, and committing other crimes.

Rallies and demonstrations are widespread and occur daily with little notice. Government-controlled forces have attacked peaceful demonstrators leading to significant numbers of deaths and injuries. Looting, vandalism, and acts of arson often occur during unrest, including in tourist areas. Government authorities detain protesters, and some people have disappeared. Human rights groups have documented credible claims of torture of detainees.

Road blocks, including in Managua and other major cities, may limit availability of food and fuel. Road blocks may also limit access to the Augusto C. Sandino International airport in Managua. Criminals are in charge of some of the road blocks.

Hospitals around the country are inundated with victims of violence and lack the capacity to respond to other emergencies. Other hospitals have denied treatment to people wounded in protests.

Violent crime, such as sexual assault and armed robbery, is common and has increased as security forces focus on the civil unrest. Police presence and emergency response are extremely limited.

The U.S. Embassy in Managua is limited in the assistance it can provide. U.S. government personnel in Nicaragua must remain in their homes and avoid unnecessary travel between sundown and sunrise. In Managua, they must avoid Rotonda Metrocentro, Rotonda Universitaria, and the vicinity of universities, particularly UNAN.

U.S. government personnel are prohibited from using public buses and mototaxis and from entering the Oriental Market in Managua and gentlemen’s clubs throughout the country due to crime.

Additional restrictions on movements by U.S. government personnel may be put in place at any time, depending on local circumstances and security conditions, which can change suddenly.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Nicaragua:

1) Consider arrangements to depart the country. There are no plans for a U.S. government-assisted evacuation.
2) Avoid demonstrations. Foreigners, including U.S.-Nicaraguan dual nationals, may risk arrest or expulsion if they participate in protests.
3) Restrict unnecessary travel.
4) Do not attempt to drive through crowds, barricades, or road blocks.
5) Maintain adequate supplies of food, cash, potable water, and fuel if sheltering in place.
6) Ensure your U.S. passport is valid and available for a quick departure from the country, if needed.
7) Use caution when walking or driving at night.
8) Keep a low profile.
9) Do not display signs of wealth such as expensive watches or jewelry.
10) Be aware of your surroundings.

Crap! Maybe we should consider another trip to Albania ... ;)

Chicken Dinner
07-10-2018, 10:00 AM
That’s a tough deal, Thump. I’m not particularly squeamish about traveling to places off the beaten path and have even lived in a couple. But, when the Embassy pulls out non-emergency personnel it’s not a good sign.


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Thumper
07-10-2018, 10:38 AM
Same thing happened to us last year. We were headed for Turkey and looking forward to visiting Istanbul. (Lynn already had our restaurants picked out)

They had those terrorist bombings just before we were to arrive and we were diverted to Albania. Not even close in comparison. :(

BarryBobPosthole
07-10-2018, 11:08 AM
What was in Nicaraugua that you wanted to visit?

I missed my dive trip to his summer and I’m jonesing bad to get to the ocean. First year to miss a trip ti the ocean since 1996. We might slip down to Roatan this winter for a long weekend or something.

BKb

quercus alba
07-10-2018, 11:09 AM
Maybe kribbs is the precursor of civil unrest. They've even got the American government involved in keeping him out of their countries

BarryBobPosthole
07-10-2018, 11:14 AM
Knowing Jim, he said he wanted a puta and they thought he said junta.

BKB

LJ3
07-10-2018, 11:14 AM
That's what I was thinking, QA. It's a pattern at this point.

I try and make it a point to not be shot or taken hostage or political prisoner while on vacation. It's really not that hard to avoid :D

DeputyDog
07-10-2018, 11:39 AM
Jim, I seriously recommend San Andres Colombia. It a small laid back relaxing island with some cool pirate history. I know you can get flights to the island from Panama and Costa Rica. Probably more places too if you look.

Barry, it would be a cool diving trip too.


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Thumper
07-10-2018, 12:43 PM
DD, we'll be in Cartagena on 10/22.

DeputyDog
07-10-2018, 12:46 PM
DD, we'll be in Cartagena on 10/22.

Since you’re gonna be that close, look into it. It’s a small island where you can drive all the way around the island on a golf cart in a couple of hours.


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Thumper
07-10-2018, 12:51 PM
I'll sure check into it DD. Thanks.

Ebay was good to me this year.

We're taking a few weeks for the whirlwind tour. Bahamas, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, ummmm, Nicaragua(?), Guatemala, Mexico, then will hit California for a quick family visit. That'll burn most of Lynn's vacation time. I'll be glad when she retires so we don't have the time constraints.

Thumper
07-10-2018, 12:55 PM
Maybe kribbs is the precursor of civil unrest. They've even got the American government involved in keeping him out of their countries

Ha! That's the kind of stuff my SEAL buddy and I lived for. We loved going to anyplace sketchy. Since my hospital fiasco, I've tamed it down a bit ... since I can't run very fast any more. ;)

Now I just do the old lady stuff ... with the old lady! ;)