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Not amazing. But a thing to do. They have some things that are interesting. Just make sure you ask someone to tell you what they are.
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Date of experience: February 2020
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Tour was Traditions of Nicaragua, booked through Holland America. We had a very good guide who explained the history and current circumstances of his country. It is a very impoverished place. Even more poor than Haiti. We saw the simple poverty, where people still use horses for transportation, since a horse can eat all over the place, but gas costs about $10 per gallon. We saw the church in Chinandega, which was built in the 1800's. This one had a beautiful interior, but the statues and icons were simple examples. The statues were all in glass cases. The chancel / altar area had a bank of figures behind it but they were like little dolls, in very large spaces. It was a good, nice space but the parish is obviously very poor. Across the street (which was littered with trash, styrofoam pieces, plastic packaging, miscellaneous plastic pieces) a woman brushed her teeth with gusto, a man urinated against a building, and vendors tried to sell wares from places far from Nicaragua. It was surreal. We got back in the van and went to an estate. The owners are wealthy race horse breeders, and they provide horses to international races world wide. Their horses sell for $25,000 - $100,000 each. The owners are also philanthropists and they have built public schools, hospitals, parks, and provide equestrian healing activities to physically or mentally disabled children in the area. To date they have assisted 150 children, for free. We were served a simple lunch of tortillas, beans, and pico de gallo salsa. Beverages were bottled water or fruit punch. While were eating, some older students from the high school danced traditional dances, in costume. They were accompanied by a duo of marimba and mandolin players that was quite nice. The dancers smiled and posed for pictures with our group. Then, we all went to the yard to make our own tortillas. They don't grind their own corn; instead they grow it, dry it at home, then take it to any market in the area where they can grind it to corn flour. We were given balls of masa dough which we shaped into small tortillas. They were then cooked on the Comal and returned to us for snacking. Then a potter appeared and we watched him make a pot on a wheel, which was foot operated. After that, we were supposed to go buy some of his work that was nearly arranged on a nearby table. Then, a hammock maker appeared, busy weaving a hammock. After that, we were supposed to buy one of his hammocks. Back in the van for another short trip across town to another of the horse-owners' properties. This time there was an actual gift shop with actual crafts made by local artisans. I guess we saw the best of the area, and our guide recounted a lot of Nicaragua history, which unfortunately involved American meddling, and if you remember anything about Oliver North, Ronald Regan, Iran-Contra affairs, CIA, and illegal gun sales, Sandinistas, and lots more, well, Nicaragua (and the US) was in the thick of that, in the 80's. As far as I could understand, Nicaragua has still not recovered from that time period. There doesn't seem to be any bitterness in these people. Everyone met us with kindness and open friendliness. Our guide says each Nicaraguan lives each day with the attitude if they have food, shelter, and good health, they are rich and happy. It was an interesting tour and I think we saw the reality of the area, both the poverty, and disproportionate wealth. All the people we met were gracious, friendly, and kind.…
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Date of experience: October 2019
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Great setting in an old prison where you can learn about the revolution and the use of the prison from 1921-1979. You also learn about the myths and legends of whole of Nicaragua.
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Date of experience: July 2019
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This must be the most amateurist attempt at a museum. I'd hate to live next door with all the screaming noises. On the plus side it is very cheap. Don't waste your time.
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Date of experience: March 2019
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+1
León is a city full of surprises - none more than this unique museum! Set in the historic Prison 21, home to generations of torture and abuse, the exhibitions cross 7 rooms and pay great respect to inmates and the revolution while delving deeper into the superstitions of León and greater Nicaragua. Well worth a visit for something different. All I can say (given these legends) is that be careful being a lone drunk man walking home!! …
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Date of experience: January 2019
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