Primary School Band Practice Marching
Escuela Central (Grades K-6) building built in 1886 |
Another Expat Trip to San Jose
NAMU is the Bri Bri indigenous language for Jaguar and name of shop. Not allowed to make photos inside. Lots of masks, baskets, carvings, etc. |
Afterwards we stop at “Porky’s” for a choice of 50+ hamburgers & 100’s of beers. |
This was my second trip with this group, the other being a Central American Art show I shared about in one blog post. July 31 I’m going with the music lovers of this group of expats to San Jose for a performance of the opera La Boheme. That should be interesting since I have not generally cared for most operas, but think I will like this one. I’m reading the English translation of the script now thanks to Kindle! The men get together for dart tournaments but that has not interested me yet.
My First Government Doctor Visit
My whole time at the clinic including the nurse weighing, blood pressure, etc. visiting with a doctor, waiting at lab for appointment was only about one hour. One perceived problem with government health programs like this is that you have longer waits. Not so this time! All went efficiently and quickly and I was quite happy with the service! I’m now in a health plan like Bernie proposed for you guys in the states. It is great! Sorry no photos this time. Didn’t think of it at the time.
Ticos just call it “Caja” which is part of the name in Spanish. Here is a summary definition from Wikipedia:
Chrysina Beetle
Chrysina Beetle On my terrace, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
Chrysina Beetle On my terrace, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
Managua, Nicaragua
Between airport and downtown, a patriotic billboard and the electric trees. |
A closer shot of another presidential sign. Reminded me of similar signs in Havana with Castro telling how good it is! |
The different colored art trees are lit up at night. First Lady’s idea I was told. |
My Nature Air plane this time had a frog on it! Easy 55 minute flight. |
The international passengers entrance to the Managua Airport. Nice & modern! |
And don’t miss my Nicaragua Birds photo gallery for 98 different species!
And that is all the photos I’m going to share from my 2 night trip to Nicaragua June 28-30.
Scenery Shots from Lost Canyon Nature Reserve
My favorite view from the mountain trail in Lost Canyon Nature Reserve. There are volcanoes way over there! |
The new reserve’s nice, small sign at the farm house where we ate lunch. Like most private reserves it is operated by a foreigner. |
Our van driver finds the hammock at Lost Canyon! |
From the reserve and enroute there we saw several volcanoes. |
One volcano from the van window. Yep, I had a whole van! Me, a driver and my guide. That is the transportation for all tours with Tours Nicaragua. By the way, I highly recommend them if going to Nicaragua for any reason! |
Names for León Colonial Churches
Recolección Church León, Nicaragua |
Cathedra Basilica of the Assumption of León León, Nicaragua |
San Juan Church
León, Nicaragua |
El Calvario Church León, Nicaragua |
San Francisco Church León, Nicaragua |
La Merced Church León, Nicaragua |
I walked to the ones I could find within walking distance of the town center where I stayed. The other 3 colonial churches might have been within walking distance, but I could not find them. The San Juan Church our van stopped by on the way out is how I got it. León is a much larger city than Granada with many more people and churches. It is a nitty gritty working city much more alive than Granada and much less tourist-looking. Next time I hope for more time to explore it further.
Hotel El Convento, León, Nicaragua
Hotel El Convento, León, Nicaragua My one night in León was in what was one time a convent. The courtyard. |
The atmosphere of an old Spanish Colonial Catholic Convent was evident throughout. |
An old prayer altar? |
Convent is adjacent to San Francisco Church with this Entrance Sign. Church is pictured in the church post. |
All of the hotels Tours Nicaragua has arranged for me have been excellent in every way. They are the only way I will ever travel in Nicaragua!
Scenery Shots from Juan Venado Refuge
When you pay for a private float trip you get to sit in the front of the boat! 🙂 Here near end of trip we approach the rookery or nursery in earlier post. |
Even when working, young people have fun on the water! |
This is one of the government nature reserves. I think there may be more private reserves than public right now. |
It is currently legal for locals to collect firewood in the reserve as long as it is already dead wood. In Nicaragua most people still cook on wood fires. |
Non-commercial Fishing is allowed in the reserve. |
and “Nature Tourism” is growing here! |