The Kolden Report: Leaving Managua, May 4th, 2014

Hello, kids!

We came upon a sight that reminded me of a shanty town I saw along the beach on Oahu. 

Cardboard homes covered in plastic, right in town along the city streets of Managua.

Volcanic soils surrounding the lake.  (Laguna De Masaya)

Lakeside restaurant.  Open air.  Classic rock playing overhead.  Toilets were sans seats but there was water and toilet paper. 

Happy camper.

Boy loves bones.

As we headed toward home, I spotted this man, packing brooms.  Homemade brooms!

Brilliant pops of color along the green and brown roadway.

House on the hill?  This neat albeit small home, sat atop a tiny hill, surrounded by a small pasture.  These folks were well off compared to many. 

The branches of this tree intrigued me.  I envisioned them covered in noisy blackbirds.

The bus stop rest areas were often home to vendors.  Notice her "store bought" broom?  I wonder if it's as good as the home made variety?

Sign on Cousin Jay's fence.  You too, can own a casa on Apoyo Lake!

The box is always more fun than what comes IN it.

Apoyo evening.

 Apoyo Lagoon at night.  SO many lights!  And it's just the western shore, the rest of the lake is dark. 

Early the next morning I spied this fancy fella with a  top knot.

Almost misty.

Was it rain?

No matter....we were on our way to the volcano Masaya.  Stay tuned!

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"To begin, begin." - William Wordsworth
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The Kolden Report: Managua Morning, Nicaragua. April 25, 2014

     Hello, kids!

So many things we saw  were so out of the ordinary, in Nicaragua! 

Pairs of oxen pulling overloaded, rickety looking carts, frequented the roadways.

Too much slack.  Looks like the one oxen needs some adjustment!

One horse hitch.  Hauling water - many have no source of water at their home.  At least he owns a horse and wagon!

Even kids "drive".  And the whole family rides!  Tires look a bit bald though.

How you get the groceries home.  Makes my neck hurt to look at him!

"Townhouse".

Homespun clothesline.  I noticed they turn the pants inside out when line drying them.  Suppose it's to keep them clean in case they fall to the ground?

Major mural.

24 hour lodging. 

Cargill, Nicaragua style.

Victoria's furniture.  Love those rockers!

Public transport.  Uptown ride!

Disco bar?  Is it 1982 again?

"Do the hustle!"

Sort of translates to "for sale, sold".  What? 

The trash man cometh. 

This view surprised me.  I saw little open country in Nica.  I wondered who might own this large, unpopulated parcel?

Managua.  Most fast foods could be found there.

Closed Mondays but open 10 hours every OTHER day of the week. 

Vendors set up near larges businesses to cater to the workers, I suppose. 

  Hamberguesas. (Burgers)   Auto mac (drive through?)  Desayuno (breakfast). 

7-11, Managua style.

Repairing the roof.  New tiles going up!

Stay tuned, more Managua to come!

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"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself." - Jim Morrison
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www.kittykolden.com

The Kolden Report: Pulperias and the San Sebastian Cemetery. April 13th, 2014

     Hello, kids!

Smooooooooth. 

Masaya "halo".

Casa gate.

Remember the toys I mentioned bringing to Nicaragua?  Well, one toy was these gorgeous, pink,  high heels, a matching purse, earrings, bracelet and necklace set for Helena.  When she spotted it in our room, she asked, "Is that for ME?".  I told her it was and to open it.  VERY carefully she opened, examined and donned each piece and then clomped out of the room to show her Dad.  Partway there, she returned to me and looked  at me with her big brown eyes and said, "OH, THANK YOU, Kitty!"   The best part?  No one told her to thank me, she came up with that all by her almost four year old self!  And  I'll think of her voice, so quiet and serious and joyful every time I see this image. 

Bird breakfast.

NOT watermelon, even though they look much like them.

Strange, vines with mini watermelon looking "fruits", hidden amongst the brilliant yellow blossoms.

Looks like another pulperia (store).  Steep driveway though.

And the ants go marching, two by two, HURRAH.  (While carrying a morsel of some sort back to their lair.)

Pulperias galore!   And look at the interlocking stone streets.

Ads help the gringo identify the pulperias.  I imagine the locals too.

I ran the words on this building through google translate.  Apparently they are Spanish, Italian AND Portugese!  That might make learning to speak  the language in Nicaragua a bit more difficult! ( Either that or this shop keep is multilingual.) 

Can you imagine?  Being elderly, collecting firewood, packing that wood to cook what little food you have and walking how many miles with that wood?  Uphill?  No wonder he's thin.  But somehow, I think he looks happy.  Or at least peaceful.   ( I love this image.)

Pulperia.  Sometimes you have to look harder to distinguish that it's a store. ( And there are many, hidden in the thick trees.)

Home on a hill.  Looks like they cook inside the bamboo walled building and rest in the shade in the bright orange hammock. 

Something about this pulperia is very welcoming.  Plus, they sell beer and water. 

Contrast.  (Oxcart seen from inside tinted windows.  Nice looking pair, if I may say so myself. )

Believe it or not.  The second man is pushing a SEWING machine up the hill!  Portable tailor?  Must be.  His machine is set up quite nicely on the wheeled cart. 

San Sebastian Cemetery.  "Cooperation of the people". 

Bright crosses and  flowers  in the San Sebastian Cemetery.  And a six wire fence to keep out loose livestock, no doubt. 

Reminiscent of Louisiana, with raised vaults.  I'm not sure why it's done here although in Louisiana it's done to keep the bodies from floating away down the street during heavy rains, because the water table is so high, particularly in New Orleans. 

More to come!

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"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn no other way." - Mark Twain

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