Blogs from Masaya, Capital Region, Nicaragua, Central America Caribbean - page 3

Hello everyone, We went to an orphanage this morning, but my camera´s batteries died, so I have no photos. Several of us were able to convince our teachers that we would practice spanish on the way and have conversations. We bought stuff at the grocery store so that we could give the kids some snacks and visited those kids that had no relations to stay with over the holidays. Afterwards we came back and had our conversation class. Then we had lunch at the Mariposa. In the afternoon we had a wonderful time touring a pineapple farm. I did replace my batteries and now have some pictures to upload. It was great to understand the way that they farm and see a farmer who plants sustainably and organically. The Masaya volcano is close by and the ... read more

Hello everyone, Today I spent the day on the horses that are rented especially for the students at the Mariposa. The guides were very good, responsible and full of information about the horses and the area. They took us through areas where people lived in absolute poverty. Their houses were tin and garbage. After we passed this area we went on to beautiful forest and farms. We went further to areas near the Volcano Masaya and the lake nearby with the same name. Trotting with these horses was very difficult because the saddles were very rudimentary. Galloping was great, though. But I imagine that all of us are very sore. I have some homeopathic remedies for them if they want them. The horses were larger than ponies but smaller than quarterhorses. I asked the guide what ... read more

Hey! I have made it to my destination with no problems and I traveled by bus very cheaply. I am now staying with a family close to the lodge and will start classes tomorrow. My digs are very humble and I plan to get some pictures tomorrow and I hope that I can send them to everyone. I am kind of overwhelmed because I have met so many people in such a short time. My family has 3 kids and a grandkid and I am working to get the names straight. I showered outside by splashing water on myself behind a plastic shield in the middle of the family compound. I have been offered to use the shower at the lodge and I may use it, not because it was cold but because there was no ... read more

We arrived in Managua, Nicaragua yesterday afternoon greeted by the expected slue of eagar taxi drivers. But we wandered out of the airport circling roads and across the highway where we found a much more reasonable cab. Back into it already. The travel learned seems like riding a bike. We then found a group of also eagar boys willing to find us a hostel... one of which was so drunk he was not in any condition to do much at all accept fight the other boys. We managed to actually find a place, droped our stuff and began wandering about. We found a very nice monument that I guess you´re not supposed to get too close to. How could i have know the stairs weren´t actually for climbing, but an armed guard was kind enough to ... read more

Perched on a hill outside Masaya, Nicaragua, with a stunning view of the town and volcano-riddled countryside, is an abandoned stone fortress called Coyotepe. It´s 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 during the revolution, as the Sandinistas stormed the hill, the National Guard slaughtered all prisoners inside moments before the fort was captured. I arrived there this morning, entering through the rusted gates to the sound of a young couple laughing. They stood on one of the domed turrets, the man taking pictures of the woman, who posed with her head turned, trying to accentuate her good side. The man scampered around, alternately kneeling ... read more