http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Central America Caribbean , Nicaragua , Masaya en-us Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:01:20 BST Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:01:20 BST We started the day with a hike up an active volcano. The dome had collapsed so the view down into the volcano was quite impressive. It was hard to breathe because of the gases and the warning signs to park backwards in the spaces made you aware that it could errupt at any time. A view in the adjacent inactive volcano showed how the vegetation filled in while the lava flow from the active volc http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-264566.html Perched on a hill outside Masaya Nicaragua with a stunning view of the town and volcanoriddled countryside is an abandoned stone fortress called Coyotepe. Its construction dates back more than 100 years but its infamy comes from its use during the Somoza regime when it housed dungeons and torture chambers for political prisoners. It was also the location of an infamous massacre when duri http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-251119.html The Masaya Mercado was interesting although I ended up arriving late by Nicaraguan standards. In Toronto time it does not get completely dark until quite late and even then the streetlights are on. Here the smaller towns are pitch black by 630pm.The merchants were closing up by the time my bus dropped me off but I still managed to stuff myself with bread. From what I can tell Nicaraguan http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/Mercado-National-ds-Artesanias/blog-244625.html Hola MuchachosIt was rather nice of Antigua to give us a proper send off a bit of a fiesta at the Burning of the Devil festival call me naive but I reckon as the guy spends most of his time in the fiery pit Im not sure this is the best way to punish him how about a cold shower followed by some very impressive fireworks from Volcan Fuego as we left. Driving off in a combi van as the vol http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-228083.html We took a day trip to Masaya from Granada. The bus terminal at Masaya was the muddiest we had seen so far and the market the most disgusting. But we were here for the Old Market Mercado Viejo. This one was very civilised with lots of stalls full of tourist tat. We couldn't help it we had to buy a little painted box with Nicaragua written on it. We walked pausing to see the churches on the way http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-221893.html Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua is one of the most georgeous volcanoes in the world. Masaya is located in Volcano National Park near Granada. It is easily accesible by car or by walking trails. Although Masaya remains technically active presently Masaya emits a steady cloud of steam and gaseous fumes for which you need to wear protective gas masks. You are able to walk right up to the crater's ed http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-191801.html Over the last couple weeks Ive learned about some of the traditional foods of the people of Nicaragua. Last Sat I went to the market with Yamilets mother names Auxy. You can buy just about anything at several of the large markets in the Managua area. This one was in Masaya a town outside of Managua generally close to the project and where I am living. As you can imagine people are cooking http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-130176.html Well we have had our ups and downs with Fito the 18 year old who lives at the project. I mentioned a while back that I thought I had taken him over the edge with my tutoring. He was doing so well with the regular home work I was giving him. I figured if he wasnt up for doing the homework he just wouldnt do it. Thats how I would imagine the kids in the states would react. Well he did it http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-130170.html OK its been now a month Im more than half way finished with my mission. Im taking stock on what has happened the big picture. What have I learned and what will I do for the remaining 2 weeksTheres been the good and the bad and the ups and downs. I had have dreams of what I wanted to accomplish and Im happy to report that those dreams are happening as I had envisioned and at differe http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-127713.html One of my jobs at Chacocente is to tutor Fito short for Gabriel in 3rd grade Spanish Mathematics Social Sciences and Science. Fito is 18. I dont know anything about his parents as he stays in a house with another young adult on the project. Cherito is thinking of bringing in a few other young adult men in if they can promise to go to school and help with the development of the proje http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-125402.html On Monday Gabriel and I picked up the remaining 2 children needing shoes and 6 youthyoung adults jumped into the back of the truck and away we went back to Pay Less shoes in Masaya. The actual choosing and buying of the shoes was easier than before since most of the kids could pick them out themselves. We just had to give them some guidelines on cost What was more difficult was deciding wher http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-125401.html On Monday Gabriel and I picked up the remaining 2 children needing shoes and 6 youthyoung adults jumped into the back of the truck and away we went back to Pay Less shoes in Masaya. The actual choosing and buying of the shoes was easier than before since most of the kids could pick them out themselves. We just had to give them some guidelines on cost What was more difficult was deciding wher http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-125400.html Hi everyone. First of all thanks for all your kind notes. They mean alot to me. Im totally having a blast here. My biggest complaint is that Im finding it difficult to get time alone. The people here are fantastic so warm and friendly. The children are adorable. Ive got one for sure that Id like to take home. Youll know who she is when I finally post some picures. My time is limit http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-121093.html Today is our last full day of the grouptriptommorrow folks leave for the airport etc andsummer and i are heading to Esteli. I bribed Aaronwith taxi fare to take back my suitcase whichcontains mostly rum and coffee. Pray for its safe andunbroken returnUnfortunately i have caught a touch of travel sickand havent felt well the past 2 days. Everytime I eatits no good so wish me fast recov http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-118768.html I leave for my trip in 2.5 days. I'm working hard to finish everything on my todo list and I probably won't finish it all. To begin this journey below I have outlined the following General information about Nicaragualocation background and general economics General information about Project Chacocente go to outofthedump.org for more information including how to donate if you choose http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-117960.html I went to Nicaragua for many reasons this second timebut one of the reasons was to be at my cousin Maria Isabel's sweet 15...it was huge it started like 5 days before the decorations the flowers the manicures the belly dancers my family and the people...check it out I took a few pictures but the party was huge http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-110102.html Well after mi cousin's sweet sixteen...I woke up late the sunday0 but to my amazement my aunts took me around to see the folklor of my country please enjoy the dances and a funeral http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-109963.html Well at my aunt's house we didn't have a washing machine so the maid used to wash everyone's clothes by hand...but check out hot old the technique is...wonderful and it smelled great http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-109957.html Hello everyoneWell I am about to embark on a new part of my journal. My days in Granada are coming to a close here as well as my two weeks of intensive spanish studying. I am both sad and happy when I leave a place bc that means i will miss the firends i made but i look foward to the new things I will see and the people I meet....Let me tell you about a few of them...Mattcool guy from England http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-91583.html All right I was very nervous because well I was going to meet my dad for the first time and my family and I didn't kow how it'll be but at the same time I felt safe because my friend Vladislav was there. I was also calmed by our driver who is the driver for one of the coronel in NIcaragua Big guy When we got there we stopped at a first farmacy and we asked about my aunt...to my surprise everyo http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-68918.html Perhaps some of you are wondering what a 63 year old woman with bad knees is doing roaming around 5 countries in Central America. Having a darn good time for one thing learning Spanish for another and to be really honest escaping another fun New England winter.For the last 4 years I have gone to wonderful countries and cities to learn Spanish Oaxaca Mexico Seville Spain Cuenca Ecucador a http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-40264.html 30.05.05 06.06.05After not winning ONE game of shit head in 3 hours in San Juan del Sur i decided it was fate telling me to leave. Its a beach town with not much to do and it was cloudy so another good reason to leave. Headed for Granada and the Bearded Monkey where all the backpackers hang out. I still havent made my mind up about Granada. It was the first colonial city i.e. founded by the http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/blog-10353.html B is a new travler I've been hanging with he just finished working in the Peace Corp for 2 years in the Oso Pennesila in C.R. He and I travled to Masaya market to buy some art work. I found a stunning painting of a Nica girl gripping onto Barbed wire with the Volcano in the background I felt the artist wanted to depict entrapment and limited exhistance lack of freedom to move forward and too far http://www.travelblog.org//Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Masaya/Mercado-National-ds-Artesanias/blog-7356.html