by Steve Tope

To say that Rubén Darío is the poet laureate of Nicaragua is certainly true, but it is also an understatement. He is a national icon; a symbol of independence and a spokesman for the national soul and conscience. He is also the acknowledged founder of the modernist poetry movement in all of Latin America, leaving behind the European Spanish tradition and starting a uniquely new world style.

For Nicaraguans, poetry is the foremost means of creative expression, be it for political, social or purely artistic purposes. Cab drivers might entertain you with their verse and newspapers feature pieces submitted by readers weekly. Rubén Darío was the founder of this tradition, the first name among a continuing list of Nicaraguan poets.

All schoolchildren study his work; many Nicaraguans can recite at least one piece of his verse.  His name graces countless places around the country including the National Theater in Managua.  Where other nations might put generals or politicians, it is Darío’s portrait that is featured on the 100 cordoba bill. His birthplace, Metapa was renamed Cuidad Darío in his honor.

by Lawrence Goodlive

Among the reminders of the indigenous Nicaraguans’  thousands of years of presence is an abundance of  rock art, carvings  in stone, called  petroglyphs.  These symbols are considered a stepping stone in human commucation forms; they were preceded by more primitive cave paintings and evolved into more sophisticated hieroglyphs, the first alphabets. Other sources suggest that some petroglyphs are simply the work of Neolithic  graffiti artists. Making your own interpretation of what they mean, and why, is part of the fun of viewing them. 

 Petroglyphs are associated with ancient sites all over the country. Rock art pervades settings as diverse as the volcanic tuff walls of Cailagua in Masaya, basaltic rock engravings along riversides in Matagalpa and the Segovias and crosses and spiral forms more characteristic of Chontales and parts of the Atlantic and central regions.   ; these are  the Montelimar Cave near the Pacific coast in the department of Managua, Cailagua in Masaya and Isla del Muerto in the Zapatera Archipelago in Granada. The petroglyphs at all three sites were engraved upon volcanic tuff: consolidated volcanic ash that solidified as it cooled. Tuff is intensively quarried in the Pacific region, because it is a readily found and workable material appropriate for construction; there are at least two petroglyph sites that recently disappeared because of quarrying  activity. Sites listed below are just some of the many around Nicaragua.

by Zac Clemens

How does the name of a man who, while his “army” at times consisted of little more than a few hundred machete-wielding peasants, a man who first proclaimed himself as Caesar, then as the reincarnation of Christ, then as God himself, live on? A man who further proclaimed end-of-the-world prophecies with himself at their core, but was often penniless? What captured the imagination and explains his longevity?

His legacy lived on because the goal of Sandino’s self-proclaimed mission was far greater than that of the usual revolutionary. While it is true that Sandino was engaged in a war of national liberation, it is also true that not every liberation movement has promised eternal, spiritual and earthly salvation, nor claimed to carry out the work of God. Nor has every revolutionary leader claimed to be God incarnate. Sandino’s goal was not simply to rid his country of foreign intervention and reduce social injustices, but a wider-ranging one. This is precisely what sets the name Sandino apart from so many names with which he is often classified.

by Barry Oliver

Buying property in Nicaragua does not have to be difficult, stressful or risky.  However, you need to do your homework and follow some simple rules and steps.  If you skip one step or bend one rule then the process becomes risky.  And this is why you so often hear the bitter stories from angry foreign investors and local property Sellers.  The process of buying property in Nicaragua is unique, you must learn patience.

What follows is the common mistake.  Bobby and Jenny stumble on their dream land in Nicaragua; ocean view, several acres, inexpensive and near their favorite surf spot.  The owner says he has two other offers so if they really want it they will have to give him a 10% deposit; which they do immediately.  Now the seller has taken control of the process.  He demands the remainder of the money within 30 days.  So, Bobby and Jenny quickly go out and find a lawyer.  The lawyer finds that the Historia Registral (Property History) is not correct and recommends they not buy the property.

(A Nicaraguan folk tale) by D. Arróliga

The Apparition at the Melendez Lot

Once upon a time, in a nameless little town in Nicaragua, the peaceful life of its dwellers became altered by the sudden apparition of a ghost.  Every night after the bells in the little church struck 8pm, everyone closed their doors and their windows, because that’s when the ghost appeared down on the Melendez sisters’ empty lot.

The whole town was terrified, and for days, all anyone spoke of was the ghost.  Some said it was a terrible sight.  Some said they heard the rattle of chains as if someone were dragging them, making an eerie sound.  Some said they heard the apparition moan and wail making hair-raising shrieks.  No one dared to walk after eight at night anymore, which made some wives happy and consider the ghost a blessing in disguise; after all, their not-so-well-behaved husbands came religiously home at 6pm.

by Nick Cooke

World prices for crude oil and its derivatives are up twice what they were a decade ago, for a multi-dimensional plethora of reasons. Big China, since reintegrating Hong Kong and Macao, is active in petro-market futures in order to secure its energy needs through the early part of this century. Pessimistic pundits prognosticate prices of up to US$150-a-barrel before this 2-double-O decade ends.

The recent protests that resulted from bus fare increases highlight the need to address looming concerns over increased energy demands and fuel costs.

In addition to transportation concerns, 80% of Nicaragua’s electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels.  Besides insufficient funds to purchase these fuels, capacity to generate adequate supplies of electricity is also a cause for immediate future concern.

Most of the remaining 20% of electrical production is produced from geothermal sources.

by James Spencer

Anyone in Nicaragua will find many things to entertain them. One thing I can say, after living here for five years, is that this country is never boring. It is a land of adventure and occasionally sidesplitting humor. Here are a couple short stories just to underline that fact.

The Russians are coming back!

To the Southeast of Granada lie the “Isletas” or small islands. Nestled on the Eastern edge of these islands is ‘El Diamante’, a small marine boatyard where the local ferries are docked and serviced. Until recently, it was also the home of four old Russian hydrofoil boats. These boats were purchased used from the old USSR. The plan was to use them as a means of fast transportation up and down Lake Nicaragua. The problem with old hydrofoils is the same as the problem with old cars - they break down all the time and getting spare parts can be a nightmare.  These boats were a relic from the Sandinista times and when they were running, they would skip over the waves at speeds in excess of 30 miles an hour.