Managua, Nicaragua (May 2010) *pics to be added later

Six total days in Nicaragua...About three of those were spent in Managua, the capital city, located on the Southern shores of Lake Managua (also called Lake Xolotlan - meaning "heart of the land" in the Nahuatl language - where the only place in the world freshwater sharks can be found). The city is surrounded by water and volcanoes and is a short driving distance to many natural reserves and the Pacific Ocean.

THE FOOD:

1. Sushi Itto (one of three located at the Galerías Santo Domingo mall) has all the Japanese-style rolls with a bit of local flavor.  Rolls that incorporate things like chipotle sauce, and platano maduro (ripe plantain) is definitely a good thing. We also paid for some Chinese-style rice and Churrasco all prepared for us Teppenyaki-style (think Benihana). It was so yummy, but a bit on the pricy side.


2. Comedor David (located behind Queques Melba in the Colonial Los Robles neighborhood  - De la Oficina Principal Altamira D'Este, Distribuidora Vicky 1c. al Norte) is a family favorite. It's "comida casera" - home-style dishes. The traditional Nicaraguan food is served cafeteria style and you pay per item/a la carte. The specials change everyday and you will always get a taste of Nicaragua from the Tajadas (green plantain slivers) to the Enchiladas (Torilla stuffed with minced meat, rice, and spices then deep fried) to the Pescado Frito (fried whole fish, served with tomato and onion sauce and a side of rice or green plantains) to the Empanadas de Maduro (pie-shaped ripe plantain stuffed with salty cheese). And you always have a choice of local fuit juices to choose from. Plus, you can pick up dessert at Melba's - a traditional Tres Leches cake slice or yellow cake with guayaba filling...my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

3. Casa del Café (one of four also located in Colonial Los Robles). My favorite no-time-limit wi-fi hangout...great coffee (although you have to order milk separately to put into your coffee), and the best Nica snack-type meals and Sunday buffet...EVER! You can order a mini-nacatamal with a roll and a cup of coffee for less than $3. Sunday mornings they have a breakfast buffet with some local specialties and local fruit and you can order your eggs for your meal (all included) Or you can order breakfast a la carte.
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THE RELAXATION:

1. Cinemas Galerías 10 (located in the Galerías Santo Domingo Mall). I know you're thinking, "What's so great about the movies?"... and you're right - they are pretty much the same movies we see here, some are dubbed in Spanish others have Spanish sub-titles...but the tickets come out to about $3 per person, the theaters have comfy seats and are air-conditioned (nice break from the heat), and the snacks are pretty affordable, too.  Not all the movie theatres have these comforts, so enjoy the movies at Galerías if you get a chance.

2. Nuevo malecón (the new boardwalk) - there are 2 boardwalks in Managua... the first (old) boardwalk is open to all and is at the end of the road right past the Ruben Dario National Theater...you want to turn left and keep going until you come to the gates witha guard -it's about C$15 to park and it's more secure. They have food stands and bars along the boardwalk overlooking Lake Managua. You can buy tickets to board the tourist ferry Novia de Xolotlan that take you to La Isla del Amor (Isle of Love) or just sit back with a beer or some good ol' munchies and enjoy.

3.  Teatro Nacionál Ruben Darío, named for the loved Nicaraguan poet and writer - if driving, drive from the Plaza Inter shopping mall towards the lake (pass the rotary and go straight). This road ends after about 3 kilometers, at the shores of Lake Managua, and you will see the Theater to your right just before the road ends. There is parking inside the gates during performances (approx. C$20). This theater supports all kinds of cultural and traditional performances, whether its dance or music. The theater is beautiful and all the shows I've seen were worth the money (C$150/US$8 ground floor seats - C$300/US$15 balcony seats).