Un Día en Granada

My morning began with a boat tour of las isletas, a chain of 354 small islands about 20 minutes from Granada by boat.  The island chain was created when volcan Mombacho erupted about 20,000 years ago.

The population of the islands is about 2,000; it used to be inhabited by only fisherman and boatman but now some of Nicaragua's wealthiest (and a few from the US) have houses here as well. 

There is a small island with monkeys (but they were brought in for tourist enjoyment). 

This small island has a primary and secondary school (we picked up the owner of the boat's daughter and dropped her off at her island).  There are cemeteries and churches on other islands too, so going too so if you live here you don't have to continuously make trips to Granada. 

I was worried about the septic entering the lake directly but there are pipes that go to Granada so the lake is kept pure. 

La iglesia Guadalupe, originally constructed in 1626 but has not looked the same since it was destroyed by William Walker. 

On my way back to the city center.  I love the colors.

Today was the hottest day yet (although not 104 like it is in Temecula).  I couldn't resist popping into an ice cream shop for some relief from the heat.  Mmmmmmm, lemon. My favorite!

I spent an hour wondering around the old convent/ museum next to la iglesia San Francisco.

These are religious sculptures which date from 800-1200 AD, taken from the island of Zapatera in Lake Nicaragua.

The ceramics in the museum are amazingly detailed and unique. 

I cannot help but take pictures of the street... it is all so beautiful! 

I love Granada but I am happy with what I have done in two days and am ready for my trip to Isla Ometepe tomorrow. 

La Arquitectura de Granada, Nicaragua

When I began researching which countries I wanted to visit in Central America one reason I chose Nicaragua is for the colonial architecture.  I understand that Spanish colonization was not necessarily a positive thing but the architecture is so beautiful I cannot help but seek it out.  I have not been disappointed with my visit to Granada.  I wanted to find a city that I could just walk the streets and admire, and that is exactly what I have found. 

The picture above is la catedral de la Asuncion, taken from the bell tower of la iglesia de la Merced. 

Inside la catedral de la Asuncion (construction started in 1857 and took over 60 years to complete).

The tile and colors are incredible.   

City shot with volcan Mombacho in the background. 

Love the colors, and the lighting. 

And the colors...

There are two blocks (at least) of markets that fill the streets near el parque Colon.  It is a sad reminder of how poor the country is.  The streets here smell like sewer water.  I hate saying it because I love everything that I have seen so far, but it is true. 

From the top of la iglesia de la Merced.

La iglesia de la Merced (built in 1782, and reconstructed in 1863 after American colonel William Walker attempted to destroy the city).

Inside la iglesia de la Merced.

Outside la iglesia de la Merced.

La iglesia Xalteva, originally built in 1534 and rebuilt after Walker in 1862.

Next to el parque Colon. 

La iglesia de San Francisco, built in 1529 and rebuilt after Walker in 1867.

El Paseo

Because today was my last day of classes my conversation teacher offered to take me for a walk so I could get to know the area better. 

Behind me is la laguna de Masaya, and in the far distance is the town of Masaya.  We could see a church, and a Korean company that makes clothes to sell in Korea.  They pay their workers 100$ per month (not enough for a family to live on unless it is a very small family).  It is sad that Nicaragua seems to be taken advantage of by everybody. 

This is el volcan Masaya, a shield volcano.  It wasn't easy to see this view because it was hot and it seemed to be only uphill but it was well worth it.  How cool that you can see the smoke coming out of the crater!

Una pequena iglesia.

The people whose property we wound up on immediately offered us coconut water, and up a tree he went.

Julio, my conversation teacher, insisted on offering him 10 Cordoba (about 40 cents) for his trouble.  The man resisted at first but Julio simply told him that the man needed more than he did and the man accepted.  (I later returned the money to Julio.)

Que rico!

On our way back to La Mariposa it started POURING.  Luckily there was a house nearby which we stopped at, asking if we could wait on the porch until the rain was menos fuerte.  They brought us chairs to sit on while we waited.

Los Nicaraguenses son muy amables. 

La Casa de Bermann

I leave for Granada tomorrow.  I will definitely think of this pueblo y la casa de Bermann often. 

The dogs sleeping in front of the kitchen are Mariposa y Suci. 

I will miss waking up to a motocicleta in the livingroom!

The kitchen is the like a painting when the morning light enters.

What a beautiful place. 

Las Flores de la Finca

The farm is absolutely gorgeous.  I am very happy with my choice to volunteer here.  Although there are many different species of butterflies in Nicaragua all of the time there are more than usual because it is summer, and there are more flowers than any other time of the year.   

Que bonitas son las flores aqui! 

La Finca

Today was my first day on the farm (la finca).  It was so much more beautiful than I imagined.  First I picked beans so that they can plant them later, then I pulled out all of the plants that are not producing, and then cleared the land with shovels and rakes.  It was hard work! 

This is my footprint... I landed right on top of baby carrots!  I really enjoyed today, but I need to watch my step or there won't be food for anyone to eat! 

Estamos en un Bar

I have been feeling a little sick for the past two days (it is going around) but yesterday afternoon I felt well enough to go to a local bar, which is only open two or three days a week.  I was accompanied by my Nicaraguan sister, Arielka, and brother, Jason. 

Jason tried to teach me to dance merengue.  (Don't worry Freddy, his hands are on my back!) 

But it is much harder that it looks! 

Rain is totally unpredictable here.  It is sunny one moment and raining the next. 

I am so happy that I feel better!