Summer Trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Day 3

On the third day of our trip we took an in depth tour of Granada, Nicaragua's city limits. The area is rich with history and a unique glance at the local culture. The architecture was really beautiful-all the buildings were painted in bright pastel colors, and we even got to learn about some of the history regarding the city's creation. The large monument I drew was also in Granada Plaza, and marks the burial site of Dr. David Jones Peck. He was the first African American doctor to graduate from the United States and he came to Nicaragua seeking freedom from slavery. He treated Nicaraguans in the area, but was eventually killed during the Nicaraguan Civil War, and is considered a local hero. We also took a hike up Mombacho Volcano, which provided a beautiful view, and had lunch at Cafe Sonrises, one of my favorite stops of the entire trip. At the cafe, we met Tio Antonio and learned of his plan to clean up the city while also helping out often overlooked locals who suffer from hearing disabilities. Antonio used to live in Spain, but when he saw the poverty of Nicaragua, he moved there to see what he could do. He encouraged kids to pick up plastic litter on the streets of Granada in exchange for clothing and other items. Antonio then used this plastic to create what he called, "The World's Largest Hammock," woven by workers with hearing disabilities. They also produce regular hammocks made from fabric. Antonio's story and innovative idea has inspired me to try and make the lives of others better.

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#Nicaragua