Nicaragua – Places I've Been, Beauty I've Seen

2018- Just before my trip to Nicaragua public demonstrations and turmoil sparked in the large cities and safety conditions altered my drafted schedule. Nicaragua is a biodiverse country blessed with beautiful landscape, natural resources and friendly people, still struggles to get ahead.

Managua the capital has about two million people using over one million cells and need at least one million gallons of clean water daily. I’m glad I was able to travel to Nicaragua and have a better sense of their reality. Still, I’m sad for the people who don’t know the main cause of poverty and the best way to avoid it.

Welcome to Nicaragua!

Welcome to Nicaragua!
Tree of Life, sculptures to honor the Sandinista Revolution.

Tree of Life, sculptures to honor the Sandinista Revolution.
‘Nicaragua wants peace’ reads this post.

‘Nicaragua wants peace’ reads this post.
Another one of the several I saw in Managua.

Another one of the several I saw in Managua.
A stove being positioned on a minivan, Rivas.

A stove being positioned on a minivan, Rivas.
She sells water, nuts, and peeled mangoes.

She sells water, nuts, and peeled mangoes.
The lodge near Rivas.

The lodge near Rivas.
A silk tree flower, known as Mimosa.

A silk tree flower, known as Mimosa.
Concepción is one of the two volcanoes that form Ometepe Island.

Concepción is one of the two volcanoes that form Ometepe Island.
It is impressive the richness of the land.

It is impressive the richness of the land.
The Concepción volcano spews smoke most of the time.

The Concepción volcano spews smoke most of the time.
The Conception and Maderas volcanoes on Lake Cocibolca.

The Conception and Maderas volcanoes on Lake Cocibolca.
Lake Cocibolca, its name means “place of the big snake”

Lake Cocibolca, its name means “place of the big snake”
Nicaragua has three mountain ranges.

Nicaragua has three mountain ranges.
Near Empalme, north of Managua.

Near Empalme, north of Managua.
Rugged mountains on the west side of the country.

Rugged mountains on the west side of the country.
The hotel surrounded by flower, Managua.

The hotel surrounded by flower, Managua.
My colorful shawl.

My colorful shawl.
Diane and Gina check our location.

Diane and Gina check our location.
Are they talking about heads or hair?

Are they talking about heads or hair?
Windmill farm is located by Cocibolca Lake.

Windmill farm is located by Cocibolca Lake.
One of the four windfarms in Nicaragua.

One of the four windfarms in Nicaragua.
New long blades soon to be used.

New long blades soon to be used.
At El Encanto for a short break.

At El Encanto for a short break.
A welcoming shady bench.

A welcoming shady bench.
The countryside is one of Nicaragua’s great assets.

The countryside is one of Nicaragua’s great assets.
A peaceful life away from the cities.

A peaceful life away from the cities.
On the background Cocibolca Lake.

On the background Cocibolca Lake.
The Sapoá River borders Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

The Sapoá River borders Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
A good meal in the countryside.

A good meal in the countryside.
A neighborhood of Managua.

A neighborhood of Managua.
Lunch time in Altamira.

Lunch time in Altamira.
The straw roof keeps the restaurant cool.

The straw roof keeps the restaurant cool.
A professional practice site is kept secured.

A professional practice site is kept secured.
The Conception Volcano on the way to Rivas.

The Conception Volcano on the way to Rivas.
A playground donated by Lions Club.

A playground donated by Lions Club.
Between Rivas and Managua.

Between Rivas and Managua.
Short stop for fuel and snacks

Short stop for fuel and snacks
Tile roofs last forever told us the guide.

Tile roofs last forever told us the guide.
The Sapoá River empties into Lake Cocibolca.

The Sapoá River empties into Lake Cocibolca.