Blogs from Nicaragua, Central America Caribbean

San Juan del Sur was our last stop in Nicaragua. We weren't really sure what to expect; possibly a ramshackle town full of partying surfers and backpackers with little to keep us interested for more than a day or two. They do still have their Sunday Funday but it seems much lower key than it once was. We ended up chilling out there for six nights! url=https://www.booking.com/hotel/ni/nuestra-casa.en-gb.html?aid=1769628&sid=ef6f4c27fb07edaed3e690c1da73a6ed&all_sr_blocks=190855101_93047743_2_1_0;checkin=2024-02-26;checkout=2024-02-27;dest_id=1908551;dest_type=hotel;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=1;highlighted_blocks=190855101_93047743_2_1_0;hpos=1;matching_block_id=190855101_93047743_2_1_0;no_rooms=1;req_adults=2;req_children=0;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=popularity;sr_pri_blocks=190855101_93047743_2_1_0__6971;srepoch=1708988397;srpvid=b7baa1b5689d0062;type=t... read more

We were not big fans of Granada at first. It seemed quite tatty except for a few streets around the cathedral and the main strip of bars and restaurants had music so loud at night that we didn't eat anywhere nearby! We stayed at url=https://www.booking.com/hotel/ni/casa-del-agua-granada2.en-gb.html?aid=1769628&sid=ef6f4c27fb07edaed3e690c1da73a6ed&all_sr_blocks=912002705_362545423_2_1_0;checkin=2024-03-06;checkout=2024-03-07;dest_id=9120027;dest_type=hotel;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=1;highlighted_blocks=912002705_362545423_2_1_0;hpos=1;matching_block_id=912002705_362545423_2_1_0;no_rooms=1;req_adults=2;req_children=0;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=popularity;sr_pri_blocks=912002705_362545423_2_1_0__3780;srepoch=1708874140;srpvid=b3926b4b47ed0128;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmplCasa del Agua,just a few steps from the main square and we were so pleased that w... read more

We loved León. It's hard to say exactly why, but we ended up chilling out there and soaking up a more local way of life for almost a week. Our first night was a late arrival and a hostel room booked at the last minute as our plans had changed. It also involved a fried chicken restaurant that was trying to pack up and served us half-cold burritos but there was nothing else open at that time. Whilst that wasn't great, we caught a glimpse of what the city had to offer that evening and moved into an url=https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1069041563829269730?guests=2&check_out=2024-02-04&check_in=2024-02-02&adults=2&viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76&source_impression_id=p3_1708442778_lE8GHykzSL%2FDeozuAir B&B the next day which became our home for 5 nights. Carolina was a great host, and although the kitchen was rather lacking in implements, she did sort us out with what was needed. Our small apa ... read more

My week in Matagalpa continued with more great meetings with women. Before I continue with additional stories, I thought I would share more about why I am making these visits. I am hopeful that I will be able to partner with CEPAD to expand the work they are doing to empower women in Nicaragua. They have an impressive program to give women the knowledge they need to start or improve their small businesses. A goal of CEPAD is that the women will share what they have learned with other women in their village along with some oversight from CEPAD. But there are not funds available to for these mentees to receive loans for their businesses. That is one way I hope to create a partnership. This would allow us to utilize the program CEPAD already has ... read more

After a great week with the women I had the weekend free to explore before meeting back up with Harold for our next round of meetings. I decided to spend the weekend in Leon where I was told I could learn a lot about the country's history and political situation. Leon is the second biggest city in Nicaragua with a population just over 600,000. While I found the temperature to be higher than I would like, this town has been my favorite yet for its blend of culture, architecture, and history. I went on several walking tours that taught me a lot about the past and current struggles of Nicaragua. At this time Nicagaura is somewhere between socialist and communist. Their closest allies are Russia, China, and Cuba. In November of 2021 after months of repression ... read more