An American In a Strange Town

Tomorrow, we begin a new journey. My wife will join me in my Nica endeavor to master the sport of tennis. Actually, we’d just like to be able to play the sport well enough to retire from Nicaragua’s national watersport called Flor de Caña.

I’m really excited, as I have visions of us soaking up rays in our golden years, decked out in Bjorn Borg canvas tennis shoes and headbands, sipping carrot and celery juice from our Jack Lalanne juicer in the breezy banana republic breeze. Ahhh, my true soul mate!

Technorati Tags: Nicaragua, Managua, Flor de Cana, Jack Lalanne, juicer, Ilie Nastase, Bjorn Borg, tennis

This chele didn’t fare so well in the tennis tournament. Apparently, since I’m the new kid in town, I had the great misfortune of facing one-time ‘B’ league champion ‘Claudio’.

While it is true, I hustled like Pete Rose, I was annihilated in two sets (6-1, 6-0). I had no answer for the heat, his strong serve, and overall, his more accurate placement. I fought hard, and it was a great experience.

It’s funny…I get humiliated, and then, adding insult to injury, everyone from the line judge, ball girls, and parking attendants, flock to me like I’m an Adidas-wearing Moses, wanting a propina (tip). It’s not enough to get spanked like a red-headed stepchild in the searing Managua heat…then, I have to buy lunch for half the city. Dios mio…….

Technorati Tags: Nicaragua, Managua, Moldova, Tennis, Michael Chang, Pete Rose, Chele