While they have made some advances in recent times, it is true Nicaragua is a country where the streets have no names. Rather than a formal address you have a location or a point of interest that directs you to your destination. For example, your address might be "two blocks off the main road, past the church, next to the old well" or "left at the fork in the road, across from the doctor's office". It has always been this way and while Nicaragua has its share of modern luxuries, majority of its heritage remains in place (wherever that might be).I must confess that I, for the most part I did not see the "real Nicaragua" on this trip. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the world and while I certainly witnessed signs of it (little children asking if they could finish my plate at an outdoor restaurant), I had more adventure and tourism in Nicaragua.
After a 9 and 1/2 hour bus ride (that left at 3:00am!) we arrived in Managua the Capital of Nicaragua. We had the opportunity to stay with a ex-pat friend of a friend from NY,
Justin Westbrook. A former Mississippi man, living in Nicaragua where he owns his own business and factory, Justin was the ultimate host and gave these two girls much needed respite. His home became our home for five days and we lived in luxury. A swimming pool in the yard, an amazing hot shower (with water pressure!!!!!) and he has fabulous tastes- we dined on cheeses that Deborah and I had fantasized about for the last two months, toasted wine and grilled steak.As you can see from the pictures we truly went adventuring. Visiting Volcan Masaya (an active volcano) was probably one of the most amazing things I've ever done in my travels. We got right up to its edge to view the smoke and ash. Incredible! Also, we had the opportunity to do a six mile kayak trip in Central America's largest lake, Lake Nicaragua. It was so serene and the views were breathtaking. Towards the end of the trip we paddled out of the inlets and into the main lake where we hit some outrageous waves. I've never kayaked in waves like that before but it was so much fun! My arms hurt at the end, but it was well worth it. Visiting Granada, one of the oldest cities in Central America we saw
traces of Nicaragua's glory and violent history. We also met some older tourists from Long Island who told us we restored their faith in the youth of american by volunteering. This was of course said while the woman harshly shooed away a poor begging child. Anyway...We also swam in the crystal waters of Lake Apoyo (after hiking a 900 foot decent down the mountain to it, where I was convinced I was going to hack it. It was the most intense hike Deborah and I had ever done, but the destination made it worthwhile). And who could forget the champagne brunch that Justin treated us to at one of the nicest hotels in Managua (of course I should have known better than to drink champagne and got all emotional talking about suffering in the world) but then we went back to the
house and watched the Motorcylce diaries so I felt better. I can't even say that I lived like the "other half" in Nicaragua because its more like 5% have the opportunities that we did while visiting. However I can say, Nicaragua is a beautiful beautiful country with an interesting and violent history. Yet, I felt safer there and calmer. There is an ease to life, a calmness about people and places that I do not find in El Salvador or when I visited Honduras last spring. And amidst all of its struggles, it is a country filled with color. I felt more alive just being surrounded by the vibrant flowers, brilliant paints on the sides of houses or the open land.
I fell in love with the country, its charm, its history and its people. And while I'm sure I was a little buzzed from all that hot shower water, I know there is something more to this feeling than just living in luxury for a week.
I will return to this country one day and happily wander around the streets with no names...
Or maybe I liked it all so much because the National beer is "Victoria".
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