Nicaragua

Fourth time in Nicaragua.  Second time in Granada.  In a sentence, Granada is a visual and olfactory overload. There are people everywhere.  Children, women with huge baskets on their heads (a real talent by the way), taxi's and their car horns, men and their shoeshine stations, even a man selling cheese that asks ''Do you want cheese?''  - Just like that.  I replied, ''Sorry Sir, no cheese for me''.  


I enjoy my tri monthly trips to Nicaragua or several reasons, one things here are cheaper and two its a mini vacation.  Although the distance from Costa Rica to Nicaragua so no greater then state to state in the USA, the simple act of border crossing (a whole another topic if you ask me) and stepping to another country is incredible.  

My brother getting is hair cut. San Juan del Sur 2011

Now if you have visited both Costa Rica and Nicaragua will you know this, but if you haven't you are in for a real surprise.  These countries are shockingly different and similar at the same time.  Unlike Costa Rica, Nicaragua has had a rough past of goverment corruption and dictator rule...Thus it is no surprise to see people living in much different conditions.  If you would like to learn more, I suggest wiki's Nicaragua page, 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua But in short, the culture is bright, ant the people here are just as charming and friendly, even after having a much different up bringing.


Continuing on, Granada is a great city, and it was the first Spanish hub in Central America.  During the 'Central American Gold RUSH' goldminers, prospectors and pirates were cruising through Nicaragua via San Juan del Sur its river, lake Nicaragua and the last 7 mile stretch of land.  Some say when shipping from San Fran to New York (and vice versus) this is the route they would take.  And all the while Granada was their capital.  As I mentioned before, the city is a visual overload, from colorful buildings, with gigantic doors and long windows, to horse and carriage rides, to the cheese and nut vendors in the market.  Granada offers much that a traveler would want in a relatively small area.  From Granada one can easily part take in day trips to near by artisan market towns, lagoons, mountains, coffee plantations and more.  

One of the Volcanos on Ometepe

Also there is a variety of places to stay, from coutry houses, hotel and hostels.  Personally, I prefer the local hostels.  Hostels are excellent places to meet new people from all around the globe, or just be a fly on the wall.  I must say I chose the fly route as I much enjoy the early morning in the hostel as each minute the hostel becomes more alive with people awaking from their bunk bed slumbers and emerging to find free coffee, bread snacks and more.


Now what do I do while in Granada, for me, because this is my mini vacation... I prefer finding a little cafe, often located within old slightly remodeled spanish style colonial buildings, and ordering a tona*  or a hot fresh café and watching the world go by.  Plus once in a café the olfactory overload changes from street smells to the smells of fresh breads and brewing coffee.


*(the n has a ~, but I moving from computer to computer, master the key boards is a challenge)*