by Carlos Schmidt
Recently while in Guatemala City, I visited the City Museum. Among the many displays was the Declaration of Independence from Spain signed by delegates from the Kingdom of Guatemala, including Nicaragua’s Miguel de Lareynaga. The room where the Declaration was signed was a bit stuffy and no one else was there. I wondered to myself what that day was like on September 14, 1821 when a group of criollos, or upper crust colonists, decided to cut ties to the mother country and form their own government. Why they did so makes for an interesting tale.

Aside from a major uprising in Granada in 1812, the independence movement throughout Central America was characterized by smallish riots and plots that were all uncovered before they amounted to much. In Nicaragua, the independence movement centered around three men: Juan Arguello, Manuel Antonio de la Cerda, and Miguel Lareynaga. But to really understand why independence finally occurred, events in Spain must be considered. (more…)

by Henkel Smith III

Just four years ago, San Juan del Sur was only starting to be discovered by international travelers and real estate investors. Hotel options were minimal, restaurants were limited to almost exclusively local fare, internet cafes and ATM’s were non-existent, and you could count the area’s real estate developments on two hands.

Major press coverage around the globe in recent years has helped transform San Juan del Sur into the bustling tourism destination it is today. Internet cafés and ATM’s are abundant and a multitude of tourism related services are available, from water taxis to dune buggy rentals to airport shuttle services to daily scuba diving, fishing, and surfing trips. Hotel options cover the entire spectrum from inexpensive hospedajes to hilltop resorts and major brands such as Alamo and Subway have found their way to this once sleepy fishing village. There is a growing and flourishing expatriate community and the hills and outlying areas of town are now peppered with real estate developments and homes. (more…)

by Robin Quayle

Communing with nature is one of life’s pleasures that does not cost much but can make anyone the happiest person on earth. There are many ways to be one with nature like taking a hike, camping, swimming, or viewing animals in their natural habitat.

One of the least expensive but most enjoyable things to do (if you seek pleasure in the simple blessings of life) is to go birdwatching. This activity that can be done alone or in the company of friends or family. Birdwatching with the family can give a person the joy of bonding not only with nature but also spending some quality time with the children.

In Nicaragua, despite the favorable circumstances, birdwatching or birding is not yet widely practiced. It is, however, gaining popularity and birding is recognized as a promising attraction for the future development of ecotourism.

by Gabriel Fernandez

It was six thirty in the morning and the dark clouds that dumped buckets of water over San Juan del Sur accompanied by the howling winds had blown far offshore. The ocean was now as flat as a swimming pool and we couldn’t wait to get out there. The day before was a little slow, but when it comes to fishing every day is different.

Our baits were rigged up and we were ready to head out of the bay for some offshore fishing. “Capitania, capitania, capitania, Super Fly,” I called on the radio. After reporting our departure from the bay, I throttled the boat up to cruising speed. Every once in a while I would have to adjust my course in order not to run over one of the many Olive Ridley sea turtles. Once I found some nice cobalt blue water with the right temperature, we threw our baits in the water. As I worked the currents and temperature breaks you could see many birds working the surface. When you see birds diving, it is usually a good sign that fish are feeding below the surface of the water.

by Alec Trihzity

Living in the countryside has its attractions for many: bucolic peaceful surroundings, clean air, wind rustling through trees, sunshine painting shadows on your patio. But few really want to truly rough it at night with just a kerosene lamp and candles with which to read the Farmers’ Almanac. Most of us want to live with the conveniences of modern life, like a fan on those hot summer nights that happen all year round in these latitudes.

Sometimes, the nearest established “normal” electricity is miles away from the homestead and the cost involved in stringing up power lines and a transformer can be prohibitive. Meanwhile, the price of the electricity from the system is steadily increasing, the flow of juice is sporadically interrupted, sometimes for hours at a time, and surges and brownouts damage many appliances.

Between the Waves talked with Max Lacayo, the Sales Manager for ECAMI, a company specializing in energy alternatives for homes and businesses. Asked about the prospects for alternative energy here in Nicaragua, he smiles and says, “We think they are very good. There is increasing awareness of the need to implement alternative energy systems and the electricity grid in Nicaragua shows no signs of a feasible solution being reached in the medium term.” Alternative energy sources are a good and reliable solution.

by Adelaida Betancourt

Just 45 kilometers southwards out of Managua are the White Towns (Pueblos Blancos), also known as the “Wizard Towns” or Pueblos Brujos. White Towns because that is the color of most of the adobe houses. Wizard Towns because of the fortune telling and sorcery some of its residents are famous for.

These small towns just up the hills from Masaya are known for their handicrafts (pottery, furniture, woodwork, etc.) and each has its own special charm. They are ripe with history and a delight for eyes seeking to take in picturesque sites.

These towns are very religious and conserve their cultural traditions. A noteworthy one is the Journey of the Oxcarts. Every Easter, ox-drawn carts laden with fruits as an offering to the Church leave from Masaya and pass through the White Towns on their way to San Jorge on the shores of Lake Nicaragua in the Department of Rivas.

by M.Sc. Ronald Betancourt

Nicaragua – with its majestic natural offering of lakes, lagoons, rivers, and volcanoes forming different habitats overflowing with the richness of its flora and fauna – is an exceptional place to get to know. But there is another wealth, too, hidden in the thinking of its people and appearing in the tales, myths, and legends that make up part of the culture and idiosyncrasies of Nicaraguans, especially those who appear to be the simplest of folk, all the while guarding the treasure of the traditions of our grandparents and ancestors.

Many of Nicaragua’s myths and legends arose as its society’s response to the invasion of other cultures, a kind of weapon to be used against those warranting a lesson. Every town and city has hair-raising stories of ghosts, specters, skulls, baying hounds, or some witch sow running down the streets at night with her piglets in tow: all pursuing their victims of the moment. This makes our culture all the richer, but little by little, modernism is scattering this heritage to the winds of time.

Income from tourism has been increasing over the years. In fact, revenues doubled from 2002 to 2006. Last year, more than ¾ of a million people brought $232 million into the country, compared to $116.4 million spent in 2002 by around 470,000 people coming here. The number of visitors per year rose steadily over that same period, as has the amount of dollars spent per tourist.

Good news for beasts of burden. Other changes to the penal code include fines and/or community service for those who abuse any animals by beating them or subjecting them to excessive work or stress to the detriment of their health. All that’s missing now is a toll free number to call to report the owner of a scrawny little horse hauling an overloaded cart.

The environment might benefit from recent changes in legislation that consolidate a number of environmental crimes into the reformed Penal Code. Using explosives or pouring pesticide into a river and waiting downstream to scoop out the floating carcasses of fish will get you up to four years in jail. Land developers who do not comply with the environmental impact studies required for a project are also in the sights of the law. Unless such a study permits it, the total or partial removal of vegetation cover or trees can result in fines and two to four years behind bars. Storing toxic or radioactive substances and explosives without the necessary precautions will be punished with three to five years of incarceration. Where will vendors put all the fireworks that are the hallmark of any celebration in the country?