Masaya

Masaya has a reputation for being the arts and crafts centre of Nicaragua and I was told that it is possible to pick up particularly cheap and fine guitars there, so thought it worth taking a look. I arrived pretty late, after a chicken bus and collectivo out of Leon. I was dropped off at the Parque Central and caught a cab to the hotel of choice, only to be given a hostile reception (we don't ant your sort here) and to the taxi driver "don't ever let me see you here again!" I was totally non-plussed. tried again to be told that were full and found myself in seedy Hotel Monte Carlo across the street. It was run by 2 cousins who were very friendly and hospitable, leaked and smelled of damp and was frequented mainly by Nicaraguans. As far as I was concerned it was a bonus as I got to speak Spanish rather than the English of the backpacker circuit.

I walked around and then did a tour in a cab, trying to locate a museum and the guitar makers. The arts and crafts are nothing to write home about and as for the guitars, there were none at the luthiers (Guitarras Zepeda) with any strings on, so I have no idea about how they might sound... I just felt my UKL80 beginner's guitar looked prettier too.

The best place to eat in Masaya. Natural fresh juices and interesting salads and ceviches in the Parque Central. A real find and so healthy!

A church on the walk to Mercado Municipal (Parroquia la Asuncion)

Horse drawn carts and taxis are ubiquitous and still commonly used alongside motor vehicles. i.e. they are not just for the tourists.

A particularly powerful communications store, apparently you get unblocked by the Almighty in 10 minutes: much cheaper and far more efficient than any therapy!

The Mercado Municipal

A view from a horse drawn taxi

A fit of revolutionary dyslexia.. should read Patria Libre o Morir

The museum dedicated to Camilo Ortega, Daniel's (the President) brother who died here in a firefight with 3 other comrades. This was the only museum I managed to locate and even so, it was just this one room with someone living in it, several dogs chained to a tree outside and a few framed pictures, posters and articles on the walls and a couple of glass cases containing the shirts of the dead revolutionaries.