Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon was just as spiritually breathtaking as the volcano. Simple nature with the lake shining into th4e sun. Tourists were chilling out on hammocks, which came from hotels/hostels that lined the front of the lake. A couple families were swimming and had a BBQ towards the end of the beach. The kids were splashing around and the father was throwing them around in the water. These people know how to do it. They know how to providing a loving environment for their children and that is priceless.  It makes me feel so alive to see these beautiful family moments between people. These positive moments are exactly what kids need to look back on and feel loved.

                         

While I was standing there next to a local man just about to go into the water. He says, "Hey look."
I look up and there is a beautiful rainbow sitting right over the lake.


We both look at one another and smile.  It made me think that these rainbows show up when goodness is present-just a thought.  A rainbow could also indicate that it's about the pour. My driver, Mr.Benny, was signaling me over the car. I ran up the hill and jumped over a rock(almost falling) and landed in the car just in time. It literally started raining right after we sat inside.


Normally, I would like to get wet and dance in the rain, but not when I'm in transit and on my way to another city. 

Off to the city of Granada and bye bye to a wonderful, magical city-Masaya........ 

Splurge!

On my last day, there were a few more sites to see and I had limited time. If I wanted to it the "Priscilla way." I would walk to the bus station take a bus to one site, take a bus back to the bus station, and take another bus.  70 percent of tourists do not these time consuming routes, but a crazy thirty percent do. 
Instead of trying to see three sights by bus, I decided to do things the tourist way-private taxi.  This is something I almost never do because I do not like taxis. I prefer a bus any day and any time and surprisingly I feel safer on a bus because there are people. Not to mention when it's super hot and humid, the bus becomes less appealing.   

Walking by the market looking for my brand of water, I see a taxi waiting for some business outside. I see a Gordito(bigger man) drinking a Coca-Cola. 
"Hey you."
I jump in the car and say, "Hello."

He's not even startled because he's just as crazy as me.  I tell him that I would like to see the Masaya Volcano, The Blue Lagoon, and then go to Granada...and my offer is $25.  He tries for $30 and I say, "I'm like the most fun and entertaining person you'll have in a taxi. Come on it will be fun."
He shakes his head back and forth to indicate he has just given in to my plan. 
"Hi, I'm Benny aka Mr. Benny."

 We sat and discussed the most logical way to go(most tourists just go along with the driver), but I call the shots with this one.  For some reason, I knew this would be fun and I would enjoy my time with him and I did.


Our first stop was Masaya Volcano followed by the Blue Lagoon and followed by the 30 minute ride to Granada(the beautiful city of Granada) just 17 miles away.  We had such a great time laughing, blasting music, and throwing bad cashews out the window. When we would stop, he would offer to take pictures and he was pretty patient with my long stops, which he probably did not expect. Towards the end, he did lose his patience because it was raining and we could not find my accommodation. At that point, he did complain about not getting enough money.  I gave him $5 extra and he was happy.  The whole thing was well worth it and I was happy with my taxi purchase. I guess this touristy cab thing does work out okay sometimes. 

And he smiled.....

Mission Accomplished with Mr. Grumpy. 
As I spent a few days in this Hotel in Masaya, I spent some time getting to know the owner-Mr. Grumpy.  He was so serious and professional with not one smile on his face. He would interact with his family in a serious manner. When I sat down and spent some time getting to know him(difficult conversation as he spoke some funky Spanish), I tried to smile as much as I could. "A smile is contagious." I shared with him some of travel questions that I don't understand like "Why do people hurdle together with no direction?" "Why do they speak Spanish so quickly in Honduras?" He loved the story of me jumping off the bus at 1am to switch.

After this first conversation, that smile just kept reappearing.  He felt comfortable to make his own jokes and he called me the "Spanish Indian." He would pat me on the back so hard I felt like it could be effective as a choking maneuver.  When I would sit in the rocking chair in the front, I would see him check on me from the inside.   A couple times I came back after my curfew and he said he was going to have me sleep with the dog in back. He always had these tough love ways of expressing himself and I was happy to see him happy. (Ce La Vie). 

One day, I was walking towards the hotel and he says, "Hey, hey." I look to my left and he just arrived back in his mini red geo.  It was the smallest most compact car and he sat their waiving and smiling-moments that I just adore people. 

 It was difficult parting ways because I kind of saw him as a father type. It was nice being part of a family again. This is why I just love the accommodation run by a family-it's a great way to  get to know the culture. 

He was one of those people who wanted to smile, but he was trying to portray a serious and grumpy image.  That didn't last long with Priscilla coming to the rescue.   

Handicraft Old Market

The National Artisan market is my favorite market in Nicaragua. It's a great place to buy souvenirs and tours are available explaining the history. In here, they sell local food, baskets, pottery, hammocks, paintings, journals, shoes, t-shirts, and everything under the sun. The level of their creativity is astonishing as they come up with realistic ways to keep things.

                                   

In this market, I met some wonderful artists. An artist working strictly through his spiritual force and a painter for 30 years. I just sat and watched the brush slightly move on the canvas. I told them I need to take the time to do it. He said, "God will allow you the time when you are ready." This man left me with something to think about and I love that. His wife was just as kind and complimentary of my passion and my work.  

   This was pretty strange art

 

Another woman sat with me and explained with me the different kinds of art she was selling. I was really curious about the bigger women who hold the fruit in pictures. She said these women are "Mesquitas." These women are real women who usually can be found in the markets selling fruit. A famous Nicaraguan artist started this trend, but he did not end up selling many paintings. People did not have the response he was hoping for, but he continued to paint. The Ramas and sumos also come from the villages around Masaya. They are known to be strong and passionate women. While we are speaking, the tourists are in front of me with their tour guide saying and "There are the paintings." Then they just keep walking onto the next venue. It's quite interesting how I sit and have a  fifteen minute conversation and they just focus on the shopping. Of course, I don't want it to be this way for people-I don't.  

                                                   Ginger Pineapple Juice

Then I'm next door buying a T-shirt and trying it out strutting down the market like I'm on a cat walk. There was a pink and a black one and I chose the black one. 
The problem is that these people were so nice that I just wanted to keep buying from them! The most popular item to buy was a hammock and I found an amazing one for $12, but I did not have enough at the moment.  The other ones were $20 and up, which is still a good price, but when you're in the moment you question buying it.  

 

              

 

Famous Nicaraguan Masks

      

When I came back for this hammock, the guy was gone. But he did give me a Nicaraguan rain stick for $10, which I really just loved.  Souvenirs were not my thing, but in this market with the great prices-they were my thing.   Paintings were one of my main things to buy and there was an abundance of them.  I ended up buying a few paintings from a simply happy boy named Ricky. I bought amazing coffee for my Mom and a few more things for some important people.
After 4.5 hours(average tourist is 2), I left with my happy purchases and went on my way.

 

Outside the market I did some arepa cooking. This was not for a photo, she let me make one and I was shouting, "Arepas hot and ready," My American magnet only grabbed a few guys-she cashiered and I plated them. 

(They were almost ready so this was not a difficult task).

                                                        Traditional men's Masaya outfit 

                 

Family Stay Mr. Grumpy

When I was dropped off by the bus, it was 9pm, I was tired and inquired about the main street. Everyone said it was just a few blocks up.  This is where I met a barber and his wife and son. They were happily sitting in the shop and we were sitting and talking and talking. My backpack was on and I was smiling, but I wanted to find a place to stay first. It’s okay I’m always on day and night. These people were trying to be helpful and they were as they helped carry two of my bags.  They put me right in the place with all the hotels. It was a small area as this was a small town. Most of them were just simple a bed, fan, and lamp for $10 a night. It just was not appealing to me as there was no interpersonal connection.  God guided me to the one right across the street with the fresh yellow paint and the two rocking chairs in front. The front door looked just identical to a prison cell gate. This guy was serious about safety.  As I stand there ringing the bell, this grumpy old man comes up with high pants, a button down shirt, and loafers. He said with no enthusiasm, “I have one room $12 with TV, wifi, hot water.” “And the door shuts at 10pm sharp.”

Most people would move to the tourist friendly place, but there were limited rooms and the truth is I liked this guy. He was clearly just a challenge for me. Those people going through the motions of life and not feeling. This was my chance to get a smile out of him and make him feel alive again.


I told him I would take it and he looked quite surprised. My room was adorable with a crystal clean bathroom for how much? Oh yeah $12 a night. The beauty of traveling through Central America. He said that his son would help me with my bags, but I carried them for 30 minutes, I could carry them to my room.

His son came out, clean cut and an adorable 28. He was an architect who lived in Leon, but he was visiting his parents for the weekend. We were talking and I missed my opportunity to get some food before my 10pm curfew. Mr. Grumpy came to close the gate and walked away saying nothing. Oh this man was a great project for me. His son, Ber, kindly offered me some of his food, but it looked covered in some meat. I guess it was going to be an animal cracker night.  His mom came out and said "hello." She was kind and welcoming, but something was off with her energy.....

Masaya

Everyone one I encountered, tourist or local, told me that I could not miss out on the Masaya volcano and the old/new markets. It was something that just could not be missed. This was on my plan to stop in Masaya for one day, but of course one day turned into three because this city is overflowing with culture.  If I could make a comparison, it would be like a Chefchaouen of Morocco. People are clearly proud of their place, their culture, their creativity, their churches, their markets, their hospitality, and their neighborhoods.



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When you walk pass the houses, they always have the door opened so you can see how they are living. It usually appears modestly with a table and chairs, a row of rocking chairs, and a TV. Sometimes the beds are not seperated from the room and are sitting in the living room. The outside of the homes have different colors, green, pink, yellow, blue, and they have small decorated gates. Big gardens depending on the house. Many homes are turned into bodegas selling drinks, snacks, eggs, bread, and some fruits and vegetables.

                It's impossible Jesus does not Exist..... 

 

People ride the bikes with someone sitting on the handlebars, it's not a couple people rather it's completely the norm. Men are cleaning shoes in the park and for lunch locals eat a beef stew with potatoes. There is amazing $1 dollar pizza in the town square where you sit near the fountain and watch the birds. It's it's own little Central park, but much more authentic.  

Something about it just takes me back in time like I am sitting in a totally different era. The people have such pure hearts and are kind towards you. Of course, every city has it's bad apples and theft is a problem in the area.  But when I walk down these streets, I stop into these bodegas and I see human people trying to make a living. They just love the rocking chair, especially the older men. The kids are always finding a way to entertain themselves and they try to put three on a bike.
It's just a representation of real community and how people should treat one another. We just don't see this very often and people may just label this as a dangerous city.  

City and Church Photos

Friday night church concert 

Magnificent Masaya

Masaya is one of the smallest, yet most populated departments in the country. The picturesque, small cities of its territory feature several attractions such as cultural manifestations, a strong indigenous heritage and many natural destinations. 

Due to its folkloric expressions, the capital city is an important cultural destination. Dance, music, street theater and colorful processions are some of its attractions. Also, Masaya has a nice urban center with interesting sites and diverse lodging facilities. A fortress, a pier, several restaurants, hotels, bars and craft shops are part of the offer. 
 
The Mayasa Volcano National Park and the Masaya Lagoon are two major natural attractions. The volcano is formed by three craters, two of them are extinct and the other one remains active, constantly spewing smoke. A vast territory, which still preserves its flora and fauna, surrounds this volcano. Unfortunately, the neighboring lagoon is currently polluted, but people can visit and find petroglyphs on its shores. Some are even brave enough to take a swim. 
 
In the Southwestern side of the department lies the largest volcanic lagoon in the country: Apoyo. The lagoon still preserves some forest on its slopes and features several summer and rural houses, as well as restaurants and hotels offering fun activities like diving, swimming and kayaking. Apoyo is also a natural reserve shared by the municipalities of Masaya and Granada, both of them with several viewpoints.
  
On the other hand, the charming cities of Catarina and San Juan de Oriente are frequently known as the "Bewitched Villages". The first one is famous for its many nurseries located within its urban center. There are two viewpoints in this area. One of them is in the city and includes craft shops and restaurants. The other one is situated in Diriomito and has some eateries and a paragliding ramp. San Juan de Oriente, the other bewitched village, is a land of artisans. Multiple studios and craft shops, filled with many, many colors and shapes can be found in this area. 
 
Catarina and San Juan de Oriente are also part of the 'Meseta de los Pueblos', along with three other municipalities: Niquinohomo, Nandasmo and Masatepe. Niquinohomo is known for its traditional dances and Nandasmo for its furniture factories. Masatepe has a renowned traditional dish called 'Sopa de Mondongo', and a coastline on the Masaya Lagoon with natural areas suitable for a good hike. 
 
Masaya has one last municipality: Nindirí. This territory has an interesting museum, a rural area called 'La Concha' and the remote lagoon of Charco de Tisma, which preserves many wetlands and is home to seabirds.

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