A Road less Traveled, Nicaragua, Part Two

For the second part of our trip, we traveled to the city of Grenada. Grenada is located on the Northern shore of Lake Nicaragua, about an hour from the capital of Managua. Grenada is known as the oldest colonial city in the America’s founded in the 1520’s by Francisco Hernandez do Cordoba. Yes, the city was named after his hometown of Granada, Spain. Granada was a major hub for trade and commerce, at one point it was used as stop for those traversing Central America on their way to California for the gold rush.

What a difference coming from the country roads of San Juan Del Sur to the stone streets of Granada. The city was energized with busy shops, restaurants and the hustle and bustle of city life. We were dropped off at the door of the BuBu Hotel, our home for the next several nights. The BuBu Hotel is located on Calle La Libertad, not far from the city center. The hotel offers beautifully decorated retro Spanish style rooms and a relaxing courtyard with lounging areas and a pool. This was the ultimate relaxation spot after walking and touring the city.

We were lucky to visit Granda during the holy week and experience the cultural roots and traditions of the Nicaraguan people. One evening, we were fortunate to witness a Stations of the Cross Procession, a commemoration of Jesus’ last day on earth. During this procession, statutes of Jesus and Mary were carried through the street followed by a somber horn accompaniment. What a truly unforgettable experience to behold.

Stations of the Cross

A fun tour we took during our walk of the city was the Mombacho Cigar Factory. This cigar was named after the Mombacho Volcano, which comes into view just South of the city. The factory is set inside a colonial mansion built in the 1920’s by Italian architect, Mario Favilli. The smell of tobacco mixed with Nicaraguan cedar wood is one that is not easily forgotten. This was a true educational experience to watch a cigar on its path from seed to store.