by Joe Salamone
With so much talk about the real estate scene along the Pacific Coast or in Granada, sometimes the rate of development of the urban center, Managua, passes unnoticed. Besides being the governmental, commercial, educational, and entertainment capitol of Nicaragua, Managua offers most modern conveniences, accommodations, amenities, shopping opportunities and diversions as any great city of 1.5 million people. The business climate is conducive to expansion due to the upcoming CAFTA trade agreement and accords to forgive national debt. Many existing companies are expanding operations and more than a few international companies have plans to move in. Others are considering the advantages of doing business here for many reasons, one being a large, ready, and affordable work force. These factors and more fuel much optimism and are steps toward economic stability and sustainable growth.

by Lorne Wranger
t is always simplistic to try to sum up an entire culture with a single metaphor. However, if you were to choose just one to help understand the Nicaraguan experience, study the folkloric play the Güegüense. Most all Nicaraguans know of it, and understand its implications. If you feel someone is, well, pulling your leg here, say “Señor Güegüense, please,” and they will understand. They may even feel complimented. The name can even be used as a verb, as in “I got Güegüensed” or an adverb, “a real Güegüense maneuver.”

Images of the folkloric play, also called the Macho Ratón, are a presence throughout Nicaragua: statues, paintings, post cards and even beer ads feature its colorful costumes and images. There is a thriving handicrafts industry producing the masks worn by the main characters. Dance troupes give performances at festivals throughout the country.

by Richard Leonardi
It was a breezy January day in 1528. The ancient Nicaraguas settlement of Tecoatega bathed in golden light while the sun sank slowly behind its central square. The servants of Tecoatega’s elderly chief Agateyte quietly prepared the plaza for the coming night’s fiesta. Chief Agateyte, the powerful leader of 20,000 subjects and a standing army of 6,000 warriors, sat alone in his home, having just finished dinner. Agateyte drank tiste (ground cocoa and corn mixed with water) while contemplating the brilliant red sky, puffing slowly on a cigar.

Agateyte was sure the Chorotega people were inferior to his own Nicaraguas culture, “rustics”, he mused, “but creative, and damn good with their hands”. Agateyte smiled while gazing at the sunset, stroking his long white beard. Silently he thanked the Chorotegas for their finest invention: his carefully wrapped, smooth tobacco smoke.

by Nick Cooke

Thar she blows!

Whalespotting is emerging as a new offering for tourism in Nicaragua. The whales keep to no fixed schedule, but do appear with frequency along the Pacific offshore. The Tourism Institute (INTUR) plans to organize excursions out of San Juan del Sur within the next two years in collaboration with municipal authorities and local businesspeople. Wannabe whale watchers can enjoy a day cruising around, maybe engaging in some sport fishing or snorkeling along the way. Such activity brings in over a $1 million a year to Costa Rica.

Local environmental groups jumped on the contradiction of the tourism institute talking about promoting this activity, while the government has lent Nicaragua’s name in international forums to press for a resumption of whaling around the world, reportedly in exchange for foreign assistance from cetacean slaughtering countries. (more…)