Trip Dates: 2008-03-04 – 2008-03-07
Hi everyone. After spending an evening in Guatemala City with some local girls I met, I flew from Guatemala to Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. The next morning, I headed to Granada, which is Nicaragua’s oldest colonial city, founded by the Spaniards in 1524. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Central America and has a very turbulent history with frequent revolutions and shifts in government and politics. Since the 1990s, the situation has improved considerably, but it’s still clear that much of the population lives in extreme poverty. For example, horse-drawn carts are still used as a means of transportation, the roads are mostly unpaved, and the streets are full of beggars.
Granada, however, is quite a charming town, with typical colonial architecture featuring low, colorful adobe houses, a cozy central park, and a handful of beautiful churches and cathedrals. On the second day, I went to Laguna de Apoyo, a lake located in the crater of an ancient volcano, surrounded by incredibly idyllic scenery. We went kayaking on the lake, sunbathed, swam in the crystal-clear water, and grilled beef and chicken.
Tomorrow I’m continuing by bus to Costa Rica. It will be interesting to see the contrast, as Costa Rica is the wealthiest country in Central America.
