JTOG Day 46: Dismantling Torch & Enjoying the Real Intercontinental Managua!

wheel is tilted again, 1500 miles south of where she was fixed in Mexico City...

Torch’s back left wheel is tilted again, 1500 miles south of where she was fixed in Mexico City…

My new friend Javier Cabanellas helped me out in several ways during my short stay in Managua. When I was leaving the Hostal Ulap Yasica on my way to Managua I noticed Torch’s back left wheel was tilted again like it was back in Mexico. Not as bad but definitely slanted for sure. Also her shocks and struts were getting worse and she was moving all over the road especially on turns and uneven surfaces. Javier put me in touch with his mechanic Virgil Martinez who worked out of the Centro Nacional Inspeccion Vehicular y Taller Automotriz facility in the Suoeste section of Managua, not far, only about four kilometers from the Real Intercontinental Managua Metrocentro.

CLICK here for the Highlight Video of my Motorcycle Ride through the Streets of Managua!

CLICK here for the Full Video of my Motorcycle Ride through the Streets of Managua!

Thank God because I would be riding back to the hotel on the back of Virgil’s motorcycle!

CLICK here for Mechanic Virgil Martinez’s Assessment of Torch’s Condition in Managua, Nicaragua.

Mechanic Virgil Martinez & his assistant with Torch's Strut & Spring assembly.

Mechanic Virgil Martinez & his assistant with Torch’s Strut & Spring assembly.

Virgil and his assistant came by the hotel to pick me and Torch up and we followed him over to the garage. He did what I considered a heroic thing by literally dismantling Torch and then taking her struts and springs all over Managua looking for parts that would fit her. Sadly, he was unable to find replacement parts and put her back together again so we could continue our Journey south. Like others before him—Jiffy Lube in Houston, Bridgestone in Mexico City and Olaf in Guatemala City—Virgil in Managua was of great help to me and gave me confidence that Torch was able and willing to continue the Odyssey with me to Rio. Or in other words, I was completely confident her wheels were not going to fall off. Beyond that there were no guarantees. Torch was the perfect car for this Journey. If I had to do it over again, on  another assignment, I would take a more sturdy 4X4 with a heavy duty suspension package and have a working GPS at my disposal for sure.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with  Jeasson Camacho, Concierge.

The Real Intercontinental Metrocenter Managua is a splendid place to stay!

The Real Intercontinental Metrocenter Managua is a splendid place to stay!

For the more relaxing side of my Monday in Managua I thoroughly enjoyed my day at he Real Intercontinental Managua Metrocentro. I went across to the mall for a haircut and reviewed some videos from El Salvador and posted them on line. It was always a challenge to process the material I was gathering and share it while at the same time planning ahead and networking for places to stay and where I could play golf or in the the words of one Golf Channel producer—where I could voyage in the golf world.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Juan Jose Canas, Director of Sales & Marketing.

I did video interviews with Concierge Jeasson Camacho and the Director of Sales & Marketing Juan Jose Canas. The Real Intercontinental Managua Metrocentro, like all the Real Intercontinental Hotels in Central America, is a fabulous place to stay.

With Javier Canabellas at the beautiful Club Terraz in Managua.

With Javier Canabellas at the beautiful Club Terraz in Managua.

My buddy Javier gave me a call and invited me out to experience his Club Terraz which was very nice and exciting, even on a Monday night! I met his beautiful wife Gabriela and a bunch of other family and friends of his. It seemed like Javier knew and was friends with everyone in Managua. He even gave me a contact—Mario Perez at the Cariari Country Club in San Jose, Costa Rica. As would be the nature of this ‘Journey to Olympic Golf,’ I would meet Mr. Perez as we say in the golf business ‘down the road.’ The people in Nicaragua from Matagalpa to Managua were very friendly, accommodating to me and Torch and a lot of fun to be with.

At Club Terraz with Javier and Gabriela and my new friends in Managua.

At Club Terraz with Javier and Gabriela and my new friends in Managua.

Monday was a good day in Managua. Even though Torch’s mechanical health was not completely restored, our confidence in our ability to go forward was replenished by another trusted professional in Latin America. Best of all, Javier invited me back out to Nejapa Golf & Country Club to play a round of golf with he and his friend Alex Palazio. Another golfing experience to come, more insight into the history and tradition of the game in Latin America and another step in the right direction to define the ‘Olympic Spirit of Golf’ along the way to Rio!

There are some more stories in the pictures below this request to make a donation to The First Tee… please make a donation today. Much appreciated.

I am looking for 100 new friends in the next 100 days to make a $100 donation (or any amount that you are able to make) to The First Tee. Each day I will be reliving the original “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hope to find a new friend in golf. Is that you? Please join me in giving back to the game we all love.

CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee.

The First Tee has a positive impact on young kids in life and on the golf course.

The First Tee has a positive impact on young kids in life and on the golf course.

Please select ‘Andy Reistetter’s Journey to Olympic Golf’ on the drop-down menu for the question ‘What inspired you to make a gift today? This is for tracking purposes only, Andy does not receive any part of your donation or anything financially from The First Tee organization.

There are interesting incentives for making your donation to the First Tee…

PLEASE click here to make a donation to The First Tee.

Thank You!

It was a thrilling ride on the back of Virgil's motorcycle through the streets of Managua!

It was a thrilling ride on the back of Virgil’s motorcycle through the streets of Managua!

The view of Managua from the Intercontinental with the Masaya Volcano in the distance.

The view of Managua from the Intercontinental with the Masaya Volcano in the distance.

Lake Managua with the New (foreground) and Old Cathedral (background) from the Intercontinental.

Lake Managua with the New (foreground) and Old Cathedral (background) from the Intercontinental.