Leon to Grenada, Nicaragua

And another day dawns. I woke briefly to the sound of some of our group leaving for a trip to the volcano and some sand boarding. Then sleep took over again and I woke to hear the rest of them off on a guided city tour. 

After that great sleep a long warm shower kicked off my day and now I’m out exploring. We dont leave till 1:30 but had to check out by 11:00 which is weird but I can easily fill that time in wandering. And then there is always the hotel pool if I cant. 

Leon is definitely touristy but in the streets surrounding the main square everyday life goes on. 

Street stalls and small shops sell their wares, lottery ticket sellers are hassling everyone to buy the lucky one, pedal bikes are moving stuff around and there is music all round. I love it. But it is bloody hot. 

Writing I am sitting in Casa del Cafe waiting for my espresso. Other than the one and only Americano I’ve yet to have a dud coffee and each country does it a bit different. 

And then I get a sip. I think this wiki explains it well “Jinotega is the most popular region to grow Nicaraguan coffee. Thanks to its volcanic soil and tropical climate, the coffee that is grown here is almost perfect in quality terms. In Jinotega, coffee varieties such as Caturra and Bourbon are produced at an altitude of 1,100 to 1,700 meters.  The coffee is characterised by having a medium body with bright citrus acidity and semisweet chocolate tones. And, you may experience a nutty bouquet with hints of vanilla and caramel.”

 I left;  Wandering. It is so pretty and great to see people bustling along living their life. I love it. I am enjoying the freedom to wander alone and feeling as though I am getting a feel for a place where real people live. 

I pass the military museum. Outside are billboards with photos of those who have died in some of the many conflicts in recent history. 

It looks interesting so I go to have a look. Entrance is 100Cordobas (about $5). It comes with an English speaking guide who mumbled through translating each of the posters. There was heaps of noise coming from the room next door, he spoke in a monotone voice and not only could I not hear him properly but all I got was mumble mumble mumble. I left. 

This tells the story far better than I ever could. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Nicaragua#:~:text=Nicaragua%20became%20a%20part%20of,protectorate%20from%201655%20to%201850.

Reading this I realise that the checkered history goes back further than my mumbling friend led us to believe. 

Its hot. Very hot, very close and sticky and its only 11:30. We will be travelling to Grenada in the heat of the day but at least the bus will have aircon. My ice cold coke is a great leveller and the cold can and my forehead gives some reprieve. Yay. 

I keep wandering and pass inside the Basilica where we were last night. Stunning is the only way to describe it. I visited a few other churches today and in the many many years before this trip but the sheer size of this is amazing and the statues are just magnificent.   Its starkness hard on the eyes but shows off the detail beautifully. 

Now in a cafe having had another magnificent coffee. I spy Nicoise Salad on the menu. Well it’s a salad which is a great novelty. Nicoise definitely not. 

We set off as planned crossing through the outskirts of Managua the capital city. A few of us got into a political discussion with Rafa. Just as I had imagined most countries in the area had corruption at the forefront of their government resulting in poverty and poor conditions. 

We arrived in Granada, Nicaragua to a lovely hotel where I had a room with a king bed and a real mattress. Best yet. 
Our briefing for options for tomorrow gave few options for anyone like me that just wanted to see how the place ticks and meet the people. Other than a drive by city tour the rest was all action stuff where if I wanted it I could do anywhere. I was mot disappointed as it meant I didn’t have to make a decision and could do as I pleased. 

Rafa took us on a 5 minute walk to “The Garden Cafe” which in reality was 20 minutes walk away.  The restaurant is set amidst a lush courtyard and served some pretty good food, mainly Western style. 

My steak, which I requested rare, was just that and so tender. But the beef here doesn’t have as much taste as it does at home. One of the better meals I’ve had. 

I’m glad I came to this part of the world with no food expectations. The local stuff doesn’t inspire me at all so you are all missing out on sumptuous descriptions and the thought of me drooling over a meal. 

However, tonight the meal was good and the company hilarious. Young Joe had us transporting ourselves back 150 years (not that far for me) and wondering whether life would be better. 

We got onto the subject of my blogs and subsequent books and he has volunteered himself as lead actor  in the series when my books are turned into movies. !!!

Dinner was finished off with a pile of Churros with chocolate sauce. 
We took a detour after dinner and checked out the local square before we took the ‘5minute’ walk home. 

I’ve hardly seen any smokers which surprises me as they are only about NZ$5 a pack of 20’s. Vapers seem confined to the tourists. 
Good night from Granada.