From December 18, 2025 to January 10, 2026, we traveled to Nicaragua – Aura, our two teenagers Maia and Lucas, and me. Below is a short travel log with a few impressions.
Let me start from the end: when we arrived back in Germany, the first thought was
“How on earth did we manage this?”
From Frankfurt to Potsdam by car, in the middle of winter, with a storm sweeping across Germany. We arrived back in Germany on Thursday, January 8, although our souls are probably still somewhere above the Atlantic (as of Jan 11, 2026). I wanted to say this upfront because it sets the tone: this journey was wonderful and exhausting at the same time.
Arrival: Two Ways, One Destination
We flew from Frankfurt to Costa Rica on December 16. Aura and the kids continued immediately and took the “Nicabus” to Nicaragua. After twelve hours of flying and twelve hours on the bus, they arrived in Masaya on December 17. The border crossing at Peñas Blancas was especially exhausting for them.
I was able to take things more slowly. As a prosthesis user, I knew this journey right after the flight would have been too much for me. I stayed two nights with Aura’s sister Damaris in San Pablo de Heredia (Costa Rica). I was treated wonderfully there and had a great time with Damaris – with good conversations and fantastic food.
Good food and good coffee, combined with deep conversations, ran like a common thread through our entire trip.
Flying to Managua – An Adventure of Its Own
On December 18, I flew with Sansa Airlines in a small Cessna from San José to Managua. Flying over the Costa Rican rainforest, Lake Nicaragua, and the many volcanoes was unforgettable for me.
The two nuns sitting next to me prayed throughout the entire flight, and for a moment I felt very close to heaven.
At Augusto César Sandino Airport I reunited with Aura and the kids. With our fantastic driver Alex from El Jícaro, we drove north in a huge Nissan pickup to El Jícaro / Nueva Segovia.
Nicaragua has changed a lot: hardly any visible poverty, new shops, better infrastructure, new roads, and growing towns. That made me very happy to see.
From the afternoon of December 18, we were in Aura’s hometown, at her mother Marcelina’s house.
A Full House, Warm Encounters
On December 20, the Loymanns family from Miami suddenly arrived: Sebastian, Araceli, Loymann Junior and Loymann Senior – Aura’s cousin, and with them also Damaris. The house filled up instantly.
At first, this was challenging for me. I’m not used to having so many people around all the time. Looking back, it was incredibly beautiful: many conversations, encounters, and small moments you can’t plan, but that stay with you.
El Jícaro was full of Christmas decorations. Nicaragua loves Christmas, even giant nutcrackers were standing in the streets.
Food and Happiness
There were so many meals that at some point you stop counting and start remembering.
One of the best dishes was a beef soup with quequisque, malanga and yucca. The kitchen became the heart of the home and the family.
Doña Marcelina sells charamuscas, homemade ice pops. And then there was this running joke about chocolate bananas: people kept dropping by, but this time there were none.
Breakfast: gallo pinto, tajadas, eggs, plus this fantastic fresco de nancite at the café.
The best part for me was sitting on the veranda in the rocking chairs, watching everyday life pass by.
Between Daily Life, Rituals, and Chickens with Names
Organizing SIM cards (Claro, Tigo), topping up credit at the gas station, photographing giant nutcrackers; just everyday life. El Jícaro is growing, economically supported by mining and coffee trading. Toyota Hilux trucks everywhere, a sign that people are doing better.
On December 22, the house was fumigated, men with devices like leaf blowers against sancudos (mosquitoes).
And then there were the chickens: the kids named them. Our “save the chickens petition” didn’t work out; they ended up in the cooking pot.
On December 23, a pig was also slaughtered.
Coffee Farm, Fritanga, and Change
An outing to the coffee farm of Aura’s aunt, Aura Lila. Raw coffee beans were laid out to dry.
One time fritanga – nice; another time too crowded and too many drunk people. Nicaragua can be warm and chaotic at the same time.
On December 24, a Christmas sleigh mounted on a truck drove through town. Motorcycles everywhere: in front of the police station, confiscated bikes were piled up.
Christmas Eve
Turkey, endless food, a table full of “too much” (in the best sense).
Gift-giving took place on the morning of the 25th: US-style.
Jalapa, Tobacco Fields, and a Broken Baseball Bat
On December 26 we went to Jalapa, one hour north, passing tobacco fields. Hardly recognizable anymore. A very special thank you to Lenard, Aura’s wonderful brother. He welcomed me so warmly and we drove to Jalapa together with him. I will never forget his kindness and that trip.
A Chinese department store, a baseball bat for Said, made of aluminum, broken after one game.
New People, Long Evenings, and a Grill Made from a Car Rim
On December 27, I met Ronaldo and Rolando, a dentist and a bar owner. We grilled on a barbecue made from a car rim; an evening that stays with you.
On December 28: tomahawk steaks, conversations, togetherness.
Then the relatives from Miami left, and Ashley, Kirstin, Etienne and Emma arrived: youthful chaos with UNO marathons, styling, and Fanta Rojita.
New Year’s Eve & New Year
On December 31, the house turned into a beauty salon. Piñata – and at some point I was simply exhausted.
On January 1, a walk with Aura: El Jícaro is quiet and peaceful.
Farewell & Managua
On January 4, we headed toward Managua: a stop at Pollo Tip Top in Estelí.
Camino Real hotel: heat, inflatable snowmen, that feeling of saying goodbye.
One last evening at the Casablanca restaurant, with a huge parrot aviary.
A day just for me: pool, coffee, writing. My prosthesis worried me a bit, but I made it through the trip.
Costa Rica as a Contrast
Expensive, perfectly marketed, many Americans. Imperial Zero, conversations, encounters, time with Damaris’ family.
Conclusion
Yes: jet lag, storms, sore spots.
But this journey was rich: in food, voices, images, encounters – and in the feeling that something has grown.
I want to go back at the end of 2028.
