GRANADA, NICARAGUA

After pulling into Granada, we're dropped off next to the Parque Cental. Granada is another colonial Spanish city that has the same type of set up and architecture as Antigua. It is full of color and filled with old churches and cool looking buidings. Nestled on the edge of the enormous Lake Nicaragua, it has a population of about 110,000 and is an important city in Nicaragua both economically, politically, and historically. It was founded in 1524 by Fransciso Hernandez de Cordoba, and was one of the first cities in the Americas. It was one of the main cities for Spanish conquest of Central America, along with sister city Leon in the north and Antigua in Guatemala. The cental park is full of tall trees offering lots of shade, with a big fountain and plenty of people lounging around and others selling food and various other items. While Antigua was beautiful, it seemed almost too full of tourists. Granada on the other hand has tourists and travelers, but they don't overshadow the normal daily lives of the locals. We get a room on the main strip where there are a bunch of restaurants and bars. What's really cool is that cars aren't allowed on certain streets so there are tons of chairs and tables to sit at. It is Sunday, but Granada seems to already have one of the best vibes of any city we've been too, very chilled and relax, yet with that party atmosphere. I'd almost compare it to a New Orleans vibe. Since it's the afternoon we take a seat in front of one of the restaurants and enjoy a few drinks and take in the scene. Locals and tourists are out in full force enjoying some tasty food, cold drinks, and good friends. Suddenly with out warning we hear a bunch of people jumping up screaming and running out of the street toward the safety of the buildings. Cramer and I have no idea what the hell is happening at first we think maybe someones got a gun or something. The revolution has begun again! Even the big Nicaraguan bouncer guy squeels like a little girl and runs for cover. We finally jump up and take cover too, then we see what all the commotion is about, two huge bulls are running down the street. We didn't know it, but there is a festival going on and they released 6 bulls to run down the street.... I guess it would be nice to inform people. But that's what makes Central America fun and exciting. The bulls then dart down a side street away from the crowds and out of sight. Never a dull moment. We have been noticing hordes of people, mostly locals heading away from the city center towards the Lake. So after awhile we decide to follow the crowd and head down to the lake as well. There is a festival going on down by the lake front. It's kind of like any small city festival complete with some rides, carnival games, food, and lots of beer. It's packed and people seem to be having a great time. We hang out down there for awhile and walk back before the sun goes down. Asking around it sounds like people like to party down quite a bit on Sunday, but this weekend and the following weekend were some kind of special celebration for the town. One guy told me the next weekend would be like Mardi Gras, unfortunately we won't be around for that. We end up back on the main strip and end the night there. That night the room we have seriously must have been 95 degrees. I wake up at about 3 am and I'm burning up. The ceiling fan is directly above Cramer whose sleeping like a baby. It doens't provide any relief anyway as its just pushing around hot air. I'm starting to really miss AC. The next day the whole town must be hung over or something, because it seem like no one is open for business until after noon. We end up renting some bikes later and cruise around town. Like a lot of Central American cities, once you get out of the "touristy" areas you see the real life and the real poverty. After riding a few miles from the city center along the coast of the lake we see all kinds of locals doing their thing and lots of people living in nothing more than broken down shacks. We cruise around for about an hour and a half then go back to get some dinner. The plan now is to wake up in the morning and leave for Isla de Ometepe, which is a big island made up of two volcanoes in the middle of Laga de Nicaragua. We make it an early night and get up early to catch the chicken bus down to Rivas, where we need to take a taxi to San Jorge to catch the ferry to the island. The street in the morning on the way to the bus station is packed full of vendors selling everything you need, atleast according to them. After grabbing some fried chicken for breakfast we board the bus ready to move on. Granada was a really cool town that I think most people would love.