After my first shower of the day and breakfast at the hotel, I headed back down to the city center. As before, I continued to be amazed with the elaborate displays - I know this is the capital of the country, but this seems quite extravagant for a poor country like Nicaragua.
Although not a part of the holiday displays, I liked this mural painted on one of the walls - it appears to be on behalf of government agency changed with protecting natural resources. The mural was so large it took me two photos to get most of it.
Managua is a focal point for athletic competition in Central America. When I went by, the spectators were beginning to fill the stands to watch the swimming races. This athletic complex houses swimming, basketball, baseball and football (soccer) facilities.
I got to the museum around 10:00 and spent 150 NC ($5 US) for the entrance fee. Nothing is in English.
There were sections dealing with the geology, flora and fauna of Nicaragua.
There were exhibits showing the movement of animals, and there were parts of skeletons from mastadons, woolly mammoths and other large animals.
There were sections on pottery and then on food, including the many varieties of native corn.
There was artwork and information about the natives who resisted the Spanish conquistadors.
There was a section with works of art and sculpture from Nicaraguan artists and sculptors, both traditional and modern.
There was a section on the meztizo culture.
There were paeans to historical figures.
In one of the two courtyards, there were displays about pre-Colombian life and the cacao ceremony.
And there was a section about Columbus' three trips and the Spaniards who followed.
It is with some irony that there are depictions of the supposedly civilized, Christian Spaniards and how the mistreated and conquered the local residents.
I then met up with Mike, the Fuller Team Leader for or trip, and his wife Martha. I was waiting for them in front of the museum.
We decided to walk and explore the northern part of Avenida Bolivar, where it meets Lake Managua and then go to Puerto Salvador Allende for lunch (this had been recommended by their taxi driver and guide).
What a difference a day makes. Thursday, the place was nearly deserted. Friday being the holiday, there was a bustle of activity. We had a relaxing lunch at the same restaurant where I ate Thursday, again enjoy sitting in the shade of the open air veranda and the breezes off the lake.
After lunch, we walked west along the shore of the lake in the portion of the port which is like a park. There is a pleasant paved walk along the waterfront and every so often there is a sign about protecting some part of the environment - all very eco-friendly.
On the other side of the walkway, there were palapas with picnic tables and behind them were a variety of shops and cafes. There were many people and activities, including a go-kart racetrack.
As we headed out of the port, the doors/gates were closed and guarded. One of the guards let us out, and much to my surprise there were many people lined up to go in, as well as people and vendors set up on the street in what appeared to be in anticipation of a parade of some time.
After that, we walked back to the park that is next to the National Museum and I left Mike and Martha there. I went back to the hotel for my second shower of the day and to take a siesta.
Although not a part of the holiday displays, I liked this mural painted on one of the walls - it appears to be on behalf of government agency changed with protecting natural resources. The mural was so large it took me two photos to get most of it.
Managua is a focal point for athletic competition in Central America. When I went by, the spectators were beginning to fill the stands to watch the swimming races. This athletic complex houses swimming, basketball, baseball and football (soccer) facilities.
I got to the museum around 10:00 and spent 150 NC ($5 US) for the entrance fee. Nothing is in English.
There were sections dealing with the geology, flora and fauna of Nicaragua.
There were exhibits showing the movement of animals, and there were parts of skeletons from mastadons, woolly mammoths and other large animals.
There were sections on pottery and then on food, including the many varieties of native corn.
There was artwork and information about the natives who resisted the Spanish conquistadors.
There was a section with works of art and sculpture from Nicaraguan artists and sculptors, both traditional and modern.
There was a section on the meztizo culture.
There were paeans to historical figures.
In one of the two courtyards, there were displays about pre-Colombian life and the cacao ceremony.
And there was a section about Columbus' three trips and the Spaniards who followed.
I then met up with Mike, the Fuller Team Leader for or trip, and his wife Martha. I was waiting for them in front of the museum.
We decided to walk and explore the northern part of Avenida Bolivar, where it meets Lake Managua and then go to Puerto Salvador Allende for lunch (this had been recommended by their taxi driver and guide).
What a difference a day makes. Thursday, the place was nearly deserted. Friday being the holiday, there was a bustle of activity. We had a relaxing lunch at the same restaurant where I ate Thursday, again enjoy sitting in the shade of the open air veranda and the breezes off the lake.
After lunch, we walked west along the shore of the lake in the portion of the port which is like a park. There is a pleasant paved walk along the waterfront and every so often there is a sign about protecting some part of the environment - all very eco-friendly.
As we headed out of the port, the doors/gates were closed and guarded. One of the guards let us out, and much to my surprise there were many people lined up to go in, as well as people and vendors set up on the street in what appeared to be in anticipation of a parade of some time.
After that, we walked back to the park that is next to the National Museum and I left Mike and Martha there. I went back to the hotel for my second shower of the day and to take a siesta.
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