Our New Home – Week 10,11,12

We had not returned to the states for several years so we just got back from 2 1/2 weeks there. Much of the time we did not have Internet access so we will now report on three weeks of construction progress. It is hard to believe that we only have 4 1/2 weeks left in the construction schedule but the builder assures us it will be done on schedule. At this time it seems impossible that it can be completed on schedule but the builder has not failed us in any regard so far.

Read the whole progress report:

https://expatguidenicaragua.com/new-home-week-101112/

You Can’t (or Shouldn’t) Go Home Again

Having a two and a half year old granddaughter compels me to visit the US probably more than is economically feasible on fixed incomes. But I can’t help it – she’s growing up so fast!

But this last trip was only supposed to be for 2 weeks, and I ended up having to reschedule my return to Granada (to the tune of an extra $270 which I am trying to get back from American Airlines due to medical documentation of my need to stay up there for family emergencies). I was also told by AA Customer Relations that it is hard to get any type of refund or discount involving travel to Central America. What’s that all about?

Read the whole article:
https://expatguidenicaragua.com/cant-shouldnt-go-home/

Becoming a Green Energy Powerhouse

How quickly can a nation wean itself from fossil fuels and move toward reliance on renewable energy? In the case of Nicaragua, it can move very, very fast.

So fast, in fact, that Nicaragua is drawing a parade of distinguished admirers coming to examine how the nation is radically changing its energy footprint with an aggressive goal of becoming a green energy powerhouse.

Read the whole article:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/08/22/237408_nicaraguas-latest-revolution-becoming.html?rh=1

DB – Always good to see some positive international news about Nicaragua. Now when does the cost of electricity start going down?

Munchies Bluues Restaurant Profile
DOs and DONTs on Opening a Restaurant.

Munchies Bluues is a very successful pizza restaurant where reservations are required and often need to be made days in advance. Through careful observation we have compiled a top ten list of DOs and DON’Ts to follow if you want to make it as a restauranteur in San Juan del Sur.

Read the whole article:
http://innicanow.com/2014/08/14/munchies-bluues-restaurant-profile/

DB – I always enjoy the upbeat and off beat articles by INNICANOW. Sounds like they have a new wacky pizza place somewhere in San Juan del Sur. He breaks all the rules for a successful restaurant yet is successful, I guess.

CAT AND DOG FAIR

In sponsorship of organizations and individuals in the Granada area, working to improve the general welfare of cats and dogs.

THIS YEAR’S THEME:  FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE ANIMAL

Sponsored by: Evans Purina (See bottom of this announcement)
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2014     9:00-12:00
Where: Parque Sandino, beside the actual train station building
What: Games, contests, consults, demonstrations. All about best practices for taking care of a dog or cat.  (Prizes sponsored by Evans Purina)

All organizations/individuals are invited to contact Lucy Bartlett about setting up a table, giving demonstrations, fundraising, in the name of the well-being of cats and dogs in the Granada area.

BIG DISCOUNTS, CAT AND DOG FOOD, sponsored by Evans Purina. Buy 1 and 1.5. (Buy one bag cat or dog and get 1/2 bag (same sized bag) free in that price)

OPPORTUNITY TO BUY AND DONATE FOOD TO YOUR FAVORITE ORGANIZATIONS. (Food is huge cost and, of course, absolutely necessary, for all those caring for animals.) Purina Evans delivers in a large circumfrance around Granada–FREE)

Get on “Lucy’s list” for continuous free delivery plus a small discount on each purchase of cat/dog food through Evans Purina. (Available at the event)

Please contact: Lucy Bartlett ([email protected]/ 8 649 2404 Claro) if you would like to participate with your organization, volunteer at tables, recommend participants.

***EVANS PURINA HAS MOVED.  NOW LOCATED ACROSS FROM THE BASEBALL STADIUM– a dirt road that runs off of Carretera de Masaya.

NEW TELEPHONE:  Telefono convencional: 2552 7383

It’s a house, being converted, on the right-hand side if you’re coming from the stadium, left-hand, of course, coming from the Colegio.  Yellow/gold colors.

THIS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY EVANS PURINA AS A WAY TO GIVE TO THE COMMUNITY.  PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OFFERS AND MAKE IT A SUCCESS FOR RAFAEL AS WELL.
Thank you.  Lucy Bartlett

Update on Coci-Nica & Clinica Apoyo

Dear Friends of Coci-Nica and Clínica Apoyo,

Brian and I were sitting at the clinic yesterday and marveling at how well the projects were going, more particularly how the Clinica Apoyo staff and the Coci-Nica staff have come into their own on their respective projects.  Their leadership, innovation, initiative, stewardship of resources and money and dogged determination, not to mention an incredible work ethic, has transformed the projects, the comarca and themselves.

Read the whole update:
https://expatguidenicaragua.com/update-coci-nica-clinica-apoyo/

Starting Over in San Juan del Sur — And Loving It

I wake up naturally, no alarms needed anymore. The sun greets me, as it does every morning, and my French doors open onto my patio, where I can watch the waves crash over the rocks in the bluest of oceans. Birdsong mixes with the calls of howler monkeys, letting me know that they are somewhere in the trees. My yard looks like a jungle — coconut palms, fruit and avocado trees, an herb garden, and so many colorful flowers: plumeria, hibiscus, marigolds…

Read the whole story:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/internationallivingcom/retiring-to-nicaragua_b_5680220.html

DB – Bonnie Hayman wrote this and she is describing the first house we bought in Nicaragua near San Juan del Sur. We lived there for four months then decided to move to Granada after selling the house to Bonnie. She has made major improvements to it.

Conde Nast on Nicaragua

Nice article on Nicaragua by the premier magazine of travel for those with mucho dinero.

http://www.visitnicaragua.us/images/news_images/CondeNastTravelerSept2014.pdf

Note – Clicking on the link downloads a large PDF file of the article.

Murder And Manifest Destiny On The Mosquito Coast

Fifteen years ago, a mysterious Greek entrepreneur bought and resold a series of tiny islands off the coast of Nicaragua, setting off a bizarre and tragic chain of events that included a reality-TV sensation and allegations of an insidious murder plot. The ensuing chaos brought to light a centuries-old question: Who does land really belong to?

For generations, the Mosquito Coast was a refuge. Both indigenous and Afro-Caribbean, it was populated by six distinct ethnic groups who were never colonized by “Spaniards,” as many here still call the Spanish-speaking, Catholic mestizos who make up the majority of the country and with whom they’ve had a contentious relationship for centuries. Despite a recent influx of mestizo settlers, the coast is an autonomous territory, with its own government and culture. Costeños speak a mix of English, Creole, and indigenous dialects, eat curry-laced seafood stews, and listen to country music, a product of years of trade with Texas and Louisiana.

The region was famously depicted in Paul Theroux’s novel-turned-movie Mosquito Coast, which starred Harrison Ford as a misanthropic mad inventor seeking to tame the place and civilize its people. American journalist Stephen Kinzer once described it as “a Caribbean island that, by some geological catastrophe, drifted toward Central America and found itself part of a foreign nation.”

It is almost a novel but read the whole story at:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/fredam2/murder-and-manifest-destiny-on-the-mosquito-coast#z0m35n

Memorias del Fuego: Women and Revolution in Nicaragua

This is a feature-length documentary about the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Sandinista women in Nicaragua who refused to conform – changing the face of their country. They played a vital role in winning the Sandinista Revolution of 1979.

This is an interesting documentary with English subtitles. The video is just four minutes long.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlMyrzk25uc

Granada Rental Available

This Stunning Home is in the Best Location in Granada. Large Open Living Area. Entertain Friends with this Gourmet Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances. Relax by the beautiful plunge pool. 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath. A/C in Both Bedrooms. Enjoy a stylish indoor/outdoor master shower. Views of the Mombacho Vocano from the Front Porch. 3 Short blocks from the City Square. Located on the block next to Convento San Francisco. 4 blocks to Lake Nicaragua. 3 short blocks to the Calzada. One hour to the beach and 1/1/2 hours to San Juan del Sur

Please contact Paige Sweet [email protected]

DB – Video shows transformation and restoration of this colonial home. The builder was John Marc Gallagher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGeZdj6X16Y

Safe, Private Shuttles for Traveling in Nicaragua

At NicaRide.com we specialize in providing exceptional customer service for every private and communal shuttle that we offer. We understand that sometimes international travel can be daunting; that’s why safety is the number one priority of our professional drivers. We service the beautiful Pacific side of Nicaragua, with shuttles from Granada to the airport in Managua, Laguna de Apoyo, Leon, San Juan del Sur, the border of Costa Rica, and more.

Our services include:

Daily communal shuttles from Granada

International airport pickup and dropoff

Door to door service

Private car and driver for the day

Private shuttles for any size group

http://www.nicaride.com/

DB – Anyone use this company yet? Prices seem very good.