Dona Elba´s, some of the best cigars in the world

Today´s been a good day!

Last night we were sitting with our newfound friend, Ricardo, at the Irish Pub to celbrate St. Paddy´s Day when Ricardo busted out these lush cigars for everyone ot smoke. I mean top of the line cigars. I have smoked expensive Cubans before and they don´t have anything on Dona Elba´s. So obviously the inquisitive person that I am I inquired as to where the exquisite cigars were made, as to which Ricardo replied, "Here in Nicaragua, the owner´s a friend of mine do you want to tour the factory tomorrow?"

Hell´s yes!!!! So I have just spent the last few hours kicking back drinking rum and passionfruit juice, in rocking chairs, smoking some of the finest cigars in the world, with the owner of Dona Elba, talking politics and life.

His advice: "Men have two problems in life; business and women, cigars help relax you and give you perspective on life."

Is this true? I am not sure I am a woman. I do know that cigars help you to relax though, and take a woman´s mind off of the two problems she has: men and the problems men create.

Seriously though, what an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. The factory was not as much of a factory as it was an old colonial house with a beautiful garden and a pet parrot where some locals roll cigars to show the proccess to tourists. It was very informative and pleasant. Apparently, most of the tobacco leaves used in Cuban cigars are actually grown in Nicaragua, due to its nutrient rich volcanic soil. Also, according to polls done by cigars.com Dona Elba´s organic cigar is ranked third by consumers in the United States, and I can confirm that they have some amazing cigars there. Because Ricardo was friends with the owner, we got to just kick it with him, smoke massive amounts of free cigars and talk politics.

And the good daughter that I am I got my Daddy a nice mahagony box of the finest cigars Don Elba makes, 90% organic tobacco that has been aged for three years and double rolled. He alraedy has plenty of books, but now his study can smell of "rich mahagony" and cigar smoke. For my Burning Man compadres I have a box of the 50% organic cigars that are ranked third in the nation, and for my older brother a leather snake skin and mahagony cigar case that holds two cigars for a baseball game or outting. And the owner cut us a SWEET deal, these cigars boxes go for hundred of dollars in the U.S. and are worth every penny due to their supreme quality, oh and he literally gave us ten free cigars in the process. As we stayed longer he kept throwing different types of cigars at us, "Try this", "try that one", "one for the road". What an awesome guy.

Anyway, the cigar smoking was followed by another kind of smoking at one of Ricardo´s friends "houses"; which was actually more of a shack behind a house, but it was great fun and we taught Ricardo how to make a pipe out of an apple. I felt bad fo rhim though, cause he was like, "It´s good shit, no?"

How do you tell someone that the herb they are smoking is actually not good shit, but just shit? That you are used to smoking the best herb in the world, at better prices and quality than the stuff he just got you?

"It´s shit." I guess it was not that hard.

Anyway, after enquiring about cock fights, (there are unfortunately none until Sunday and we will be on Isle de Ometepe then), we headed out for Gelatto. Can you believe it, three scoops of good Gelatto for $1? I love this place. The Gelatto was followed up by one of the most unhealthy, yet amazingly tasteful street foods I have ever had: fried cheese curds dipped in honey. Drooling yet? You should be, that stuff is amazing. I always judge the general unhealthiness of street food by the obesity of their vendors, and let me tell you the fried cheese crud lady took the cake. I hesitated at first to dip into this strange food, but after Pete gave me a sample of his I was SOLD. They actually melt in your mouth. Good thing we are leaving Granada for Isle de Ometepe tommorrow otherwise I would be in trouble. Pete has already eaten fifteen of them since discovering them yesterday afternoon (they are about the size of Chicken Nuggests but pure cheese), and I dont think my stomach could really handle it.

Ok nap time, I am pleasantly sleepy and full of cigar smoke, passionfruit and run punch, fried cheese curds, and Gelatto... time for a Siesta before we meet Ricardo for drinks and dinner.

oh yes and the links for cigar and volcano board pics:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2097454&id=13301719&l=9ea051d573
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2097786&id=13301719&l=174d76c873