Granada

Here's a brief description of Granada I found online:

"Granada, Nicaragua has an incomparably rich and illustrious history. Established in 1524, Granada is the oldest European-founded city in Nicaragua, the second oldest in Central America, and the third oldest in the Americas.

Granada has been subject to many battles, invasions of pirates, and subjugations. The most significant was the American William Walker, who conquered Nicaragua and declared himself president in the mid-1800s. When Walker eventually fled the country, he torched the city of Granada and left the famous words, “Granada Was Here.” Many of Granada’s cathedrals and historic buildings are still fire-scorched."

Admittedly, I didn't see much of the city, but I did get to see some of the most vaunted spots, such as the famous yellow cathedral:

The Cathedral of Nicaragua. It was quite striking juxtaposed next to the other brightly painted but simple houses. Combined with vendors selling colorful beaded and woven jewelry along with food amidst people lounging around a courtyard, the square gave off a cosmopolitan air that is probably a shadow of the former glory of Granada, before being burned by our very own William Walker. 

Inside the cathedral

A view of what the average street in Granada looked like. The Cathedral can be seen very far in the distance. We were warned that traffic is extremely dangerous and haphazard. Cars don't obey any sort of set rule, but instead honk (which itself can mean a host of things, based on the context), stick their hands out windows and make a variety of gestures or communicate if their passengers are close enough. In fact, only about half an hour after we received this warning, I saw a man holding his head, sprawled out prostrate and surrounded by concerned onlookers and a car about three feet away. I thought he had been hit, but I think he was just really drunk and couldn't get up. 

A child holding up a giant puppet thing of sorts. I later ran into the same person accompanied by a few adults banging on drums, STOMP-style.

A view of Lake Nicaragua, the shores of which Granda begins. 

The open air courtyard in the middle of Hostel Mochila. The hostel is absolutely great I'm sad that we're only staying for a night. Everyone who comes has a story that I don't know, and probably never will if I remain all shy. Seriously, it's hard talking in a language you're not comfortable with. But it is very homey, the walls are painted in bright colors with murals. There are wonderful hammocks and couches where people read, talk, and play guitar. Altogether a very chill place. 

The view from my room...not sure if you can see the cat in this which has been following all the guests around.