This is Masaya

I think I’ve just about found my feet here , so it’s about time that I tell you a bit about Masaya.  It is known as the “cradle of Nicaraguan folklore” and I’m told that the 1979 revolution also started right here.  The barrio that I’m living in, Monimbó, is famed for its resistance to the dictator’s (Somoza) brutal national guard during the insurrection – locals (including my host family) rose up against the military.  As I get to know the family better, I’m learning more about their painful experience during this time.  Doña Dorcas took me into the garden the other night to show me where she used to hide weapons for the Sandinistas, also sharing stories of how she hid guerrilla fighters!   This is a view from Coyotepe, an old fortress which looks over Masaya, used for detaining (and torturing) political prisoners during the Somoza dictatorship and by the Sandinistas following the revolution.  I went on a tour and heard about the grisly history of this place – many atrocities were committed…

Street view in Monimbó ... About 100 metres from here is the “road on the way to the lagoon”, where I’m staying :)

Not much of the colonial architecture remains in Masaya – the war and the fact that the  city experiences violent tectonic activity at times does not help!  This is the iglesia de San Jerónimo.  This building has been repaired many times…

El parque central, la paroquia

Live, upside down chickens!  Their pick up has a flat and has stopped in the middleof the main street of Masaya!

And finally, for the Geoggers following this blog.  Here is Loughborough bear enjoying the view over the city of Masaya.  Unfortunately his hat is a little worse for wear (he travelled economy in my rucksack), but as you can see, it is still shading him from strong afternoon sun. ..Any suggestions for a name for him are most welcome!