Nicaraguan Adventures 9: Esteli

In many ways Esteli is quite the contrast to Chinandega (see previous article). The city , 3rd or 7th largest in the country, depending on which website you believe, it manages a laid-back atmosphere without the sketchiness of the previous town. Or maybe we were just in the better part of the town. The people did seem a lot friendlier. Taking the city bus to the terminal several high school students were very interested in who we were and where we from and what we should see in their city.

But, like Chinandega, we did not stay long here. We never found a hotel to our liking and in our budget range at that time.

We were impressed with the variety of murals throughout the central part of town, many of them very well done.

Above: Environmentally-aware and whimsical murals. The caption reads, “We were born to be free. I don’t buy wild animals.“
Below: Many of the murals had revolutionary themes. Not surprisingly seeing that this city suffered immensely during the revolution in the 1980’s. The Nicaraguan populace finally won freedom over the Somoza dictatorship but not before serious bombardments from the latter. Esteli, especially, suffered major damage.

Left: Che Guevera Center: Map showing Esteli and Northern Nicaragua. The surrounding dark green areas are the several nature areas. Right: Demonstration or “Manifestacion”.

Left: Bullet holes still visible in what is now the “Association of the Mothers of the Heroes and Martyrs of Esteli” Right: “Nuestros derechos hasta cuando?”, loosely translated to “How long before we get our rights?”

Demonstrations seen on our hotel TV showing that we did well to avoid Managua. A little too much excitement.

Above: A lot of cattle-raising in this area. The ones we saw look sleek and healthy. The horses also. Not like the unfortunate gaunt creatures I saw in Chinandega.
Below next three rows: Views of the downtown area.

Next: Ocotal and Mozonte