San José, Costa Rica

San José is the capital of Costa Rica and the nation's largest city. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation. The population is 365,799 though the metropolitan area stretches beyond the canton limits and comprises a third of the country's population.

Culturally, the city is a mix of history and modernity, but can be considered almost entirely European influenced, in part because of Spanish immigration soon after Costa Rica's discovery by Christopher Columbus. Also, the privileged classes often studied in Europe during the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. This can be seen in the architecture of the city, namely theaters, museums and houses in the city center.

Isla Ometepe, Nicaragua

Ometepe is an island formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua. Its name derives from the Nahuatl words one (two) and tepetl (mountain), meaning two mountains. It is the largest island in Lake Nicaragua as well as the largest volcanic island inside a fresh water lake in the world. The two volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, are joined by a low isthmus to form one island in the shape of an hourglass. Ometepe has an area of 276 km². It is 31 km long and 5 to 10 km wide. The


island has a population of 42,000, and an economy based on livestock, agriculture, and tourism.

Granada, Nicaragua

Granada, founded in 1524 by conquistador Hernandez de Cordoba, Granada is the oldest mainland city in the Western Hemisphere of the Americas. In the 17th century, due to its geographic location, it became an important commercial centre and trading hub for goods to be shipped to the Old World, first overland from Guatemala to Granada, then by waterway across Lake Nicaragua and down Rio San Juan to the Atlantic coast. This did not escape the attention of pirates who ransacked the city several times. In the 19th century, when the liberal city of Leon and the conservative town of Granada
were fighting for power, American filibuster William Walker was called upon for help by the city of Leon. He defeated Granada, proclaimed himself president of Nicaragua and openly declared his interest in conquering the remaining 4 Central American countries. Resistance was strong though, and just one year later in 1857, he fled the country after having set the whole city on fire. Still nowadays, when facing problems, older people use the phrase “eso es nada de lo que paso en

Granada” (this is nothing compared to what happened in Granada).

León, Nicaragua

León is a department (state) in northwestern Nicaragua (5,138 km2). It is also the second largest city in Nicaragua, after the capital Managua. It was founded by the Spaniards as León Santiago de los Caballeros and rivals Granada, Nicaragua, in the number of historic Spanish colonial homes and churches. As of 2005, the city had an estimated population of about 175,000 people which increases sharply during university season with many students coming from other Nicaraguan provinces.

León is located along the Río Chiquito (Chiquito River), some 90 km northwest of Managua, and some 18 km east of the Pacific Ocean coast. Although less populous than Managua, León has long been the intellectual center of the nation, with its university founded in 1813. León is also an important industrial, agricultural (sugar cane, cattle, peanut, plantain, sorghum) and commercial center for Nicaragua.

Roatan, Honduras

Roatán, located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands and is approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi) long, and less than 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) at its widest point. Located near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world, Roatán has become an important cruise ship and scuba diving destination in Honduras. Tourism is its most important economic sector, though fishing is also an important source of income for islanders.

The most populous town of the island is Coxen Hole, located in the southwest. Other important towns include French Harbour, Oak Ridge and West End.

Parrots and Ziplining

Lost Kingdoms of the Maya

Copan, Mayan Ruin, Honduras

Copán is a department in western Honduras and Santa Rosa de Copán is its capital. The department is well known for its tobacco, fine cigars and famous for its PreColumbian archaeological site widely regarded as one of the greatest cities of the Maya civilization. 

Copán Ruinas is a municipality in the Honduran department of Copán and the town, located close to the Guatemalan border, is a major gateway for tourists traveling to the ancient ruins.

INNOCENT VOICES

My guide said this was the best film on the Salvadorian Civil war.

Antigua, Guatemala

ANTIGUA is among the world's best conserved colonial cities. This magic and captivating small town was made a UNESCO HERITAGE SITE in 1979. Enjoy wandering along the cobblestone streets, taking in the colonial architecture and beautiful surroundings.

Antigua Guatemala was once the third most important Spanish colony in the Americas. More than 30 monastic orders called Antigua home and built stunning monasteries, convents and cathedrals in the town. Its setting is majestic, in a valley between three dramatic volcanoes: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango.

San Salvador, El Salvador

 

We visited the main residential areas of the city, its most important avenues, the handicraft market, and the Historic Center. In  addition, we visited the impressive craters of San Salvador volcano that made its last eruption in the year 1917, where you can  contemplate the nature and spectacular city views, volcanoes and the  Pacific Ocean.

Mario suggested I watch "Innocent Voices" and read "Guazapa" by Charles Clemens

From 3rd Floor of New House - 5th of July

Fireworks. Norwalk Beach.