Beautiful Granada!

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We spent the day both walking around Granada and touring the city by horse drawn carriage. Granada has consistently beautiful architecture throughout the downtown area, which is protected as a historical district and buildings must conform to colonial standards.

We visited a few churches and climbed the bell tower in one, to look over the city. We also went to the public market and the museum where artifacts from pre-Columbian civilizations are housed. These people migrated from Mexico to this area, passing through Aztec and Mayan cities on the way and were influenced by these civilizations.

Granada was burned to the ground in the 1857 by an American, William Walker, who came in as a mercenary to help the city of Leon conquer Granada. He ruled the area for a short time, and when he left, destroying the city, he had a sign made that said "Here Was Granada"..not a nice man!

Tomorrow we will take a 4 hour boat trip to the volcanic island of Ometepe, and then head towards the Caribbean on a river, but we will only go part ways, and then head into Costa Rica.

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Photos

Horse Drawn Hearse
We saw this later, on the way to the burial, with the family walking behind..It circled the main park.

San Francisco Church
This was the infamous Walker's headquarters for awhile. The attached convent houses the history museum. We were eating breakfast across the street and these school kids were singing out in front.

Granada Street Scene
Horse carts are used for tourists here as well as every day hauling.

Along the central square
This was taken from in front of the internet cafe we've been using. The house next to it has one of the few remaining carved stone entries, not destroyed by Walker.

Views of Granada from the Bell Tower of La Merced Church
This photo was taken looking towards Lake Nicaragua, with the Cathedral on the square in the center.

Views of Granada from the Bell Tower of La Merced Church
Looking away from the lake

Views of Granada from the Bell Tower of La Merced Church
The old market is in the background, as are the volcanic islands where we head tomorrow.

The Bell Tower of La Merced Church
We climbed up here for a donation of $1.00.

Granada Street Scene
We took and hour tour around the city in this carriage and got dropped off at our hotel. The young man driving was knowledgeable about the history of the city and knew which houses belonged to Gringos! Lots of wealthy foreigners live here.

Comments

[Patricia]

Easter over and free as a bird
when your in a shaded area use your flash so your face will show in photo;Patricia our Easter vacation is over now . We made it as far as Baltimore for a day .trip. had friends from France here for vacation. That was fun; we laughed alot; Over the vacation I also quit my job. It was good pay but my soul is not for sale to a snappy mouth fake person. I do not go for that; any way I'm very happy. The next day the husband was begging for forgiveness for his wife; that right there sets down the points another 2 marks for not covering her own mistakes; i think I'll do some traveling my self now. I'm still thinking of that Costa Rico tour. take care and have fun Bisou Patricia